It is without question that Jim White never thought his life would be turned into a movie. A high school teacher and cross country coach residing in McFarland, California, White would lead his kids to unprecedented sporting success as well as plenty of self discovery. As it was, White was in a predominantly Latino and impoverished community, living with his wife and children. His story is told in McFarland, a Disney film that finds White portrayed by Kevin Costner, telling the story of his family’s hesitant arrival to a strange community and his sudden dedication to coaching a group of kids in running.

In the film, we watch as White and his family slowly learn more about this new world, becoming a part of the community while still confronting familial and societal issues. Then of course, there is the running, too, with White pushing his kids to new limits and teaching them they are just as deserving as any others.

The real life White sat down ahead of the film to talk about watching his life being brought to the big screen and what it means for the community he has come to love and call home.