Synopsis: In EYES ON THE HORIZON, we follow the transformative odyssey of Mike Bowen, a man in his 30’s, who decides to leave behind the life he has built in Tennessee and embarks on a quest for true fulfillment as he grapples with the complexities of his own mental health and alcohol use, trading stability for the simplistic lifestyle of a van-dwelling photojournalist in Oregon.  

Amidst his journey of healing, he faces an unexpected twist: a diagnosis of inherited eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, that will gradually steal his sight. He chooses to confront the challenges of his past, process the uncertainty of the future, and learn how to embrace the pursuit of happiness by completing three epic bike cross-country trips over three years.  

Having finished his first trip of biking the TransAmerica Trail in 2024, this documentary follows as he completes his remaining trips despite the looming threat of blindness.  

This phase of his journey falls against the stunning yet unforgiving backdrop of the Continental Divide, Mike embarks on a 2,700-mile bike ride spanning three countries and five states, pushing through physical and emotional barriers as his world grows dimmer. This isn't a story of chosen conquest—it’s about embracing an unchosen challenge with resilience, vulnerability, and radical authenticity. Beneath the physical adventure, the film explores deeper themes of mental health, identity, and the urgency of time—reminding us that fulfillment lies in bold action, not waiting.  

As Mike confronts fear, self-doubt, and the ticking clock of his condition, EYES ON THE HORIZON becomes a universal call to stop postponing life and start living fully, no matter the unknowns ahead.

Through his vulnerability, Mike invites viewers to reflect: What does it truly mean to live? And what’s stopping me from chasing my own happiness?

BOLO BROTHERS CREATIVE.

Bolo Brothers Creative is an award-winning, Nashville-based production company that thrives on telling real, human-centered narratives with depth, emotion, and visual excellence. When Bolo Brothers Creative started 13 years ago, founders Grant Carpenter and Jared Rauso were committed to more than just making videos; their mission was to craft immersive projects that engage both their team and their audience on a deeper level.  

PROVEN TRACK RECORD.

Bolo has a proven track record of producing award-winning documentaries, including the feature documentary Shine Service, now streaming on Amazon. As storytellers and filmmakers, they believe in the power of documentaries to inspire change, challenge perspectives, and celebrate the diversity of the human experience. So when they met Percy, there was no doubt that Shine Service needed to be made.

A PERSONAL CONNECTION.

Jared went to college with Mike, and Becca, Bolo's producer, have been friends for over a decade and they have worked closely together. Their deep understanding of his journey - both his resilience and his struggles - makes Bolo uniquely positioned to tell his story with the integrity it deserves. The trust they've built over the years creates a natural dynamic, allowing for genuine vulnerability to emerge. Mike's journey is raw, unfiltered and deeply human - a story that needs to be shared with the world.

But this story isn't just something for the world to hear. It's also for Mike. By allowing Bolo to witness and document his journey, he's creating a space for himself to process in real-time. A visual journal. His bike ride isn't just a physical test, it's an external reflection of his internal processing in confronting his own reality, grappling with denial, mourning, and quiet moments of reckoning. While he may still be in the early stages of this journey, his experience will mirror the nonlinear nature of grief and growth.

By sharing this vulnerable and authentic chapter of his life, Mike isn't just letting the world in - he's also giving himself the space to fully live through it. In doing so, he fulfills his greatest passion: Discovering freedom through the pursuit of living life to the fullest.