The Crux Episode 1 | Full Episode | National Geographic

[@hannahmorrisbouldering]

Always blown away by the dedication and sacrifice shown by athletes at the top of the game. It’s easy to see elite athletes as superhuman, but their humanness is such a big part of what makes competitions so great to watch. Very cool to get a peek behind the curtain at their journeys here. Thanks!

[@andrewkim9503]

Well said!

[@anon95274]

It cracks me up when Janja was introduced menacingly as the final boss of comp climbing, but Janja being Janja is always smiley or looks like she’s about to burst into laughter lol

[@yamchoonhian]

On a different note, I realised this world cup happened shortly before Alannah was hit by an autoimmune disorder, which often happens after a period of overwhelming mental, emotional or physical stress. I truly empathise with her predicament & wish her the very best in her recovery & post-comp climbing years ahead. 🙏🙏

[@martinofinotelli1884]

This is World Championship, much more important than World Cup

[@alannahyip9523]

Thank you

[@wolfganglauth4015]

I was literally just watching the women's bouldering and lead finals at the Olympics and saw that beautiful moment between Janja and Brooke. Timely upload! 😅

[@vfxforge]

look, Im not a climber and just watch the sport casually, watching Janja climb compared to everyone else on the elite level, she is far and beyond, its truly astonishing.

[@gokulshivakumar8716]

Props to the editor for introducing Janja in this doc like most intimidating and menacing figure in the world :)

[@GemmatheCat]

Like Ivan Drago

[@grafzhl]

I know, right? There's another awesome video on KZbin, 'World Cup Routesetting - Meiringen 2021' by Flathold Official. In it, they make it seem like Janja is humanity's only hope of sending one boulder. Incredible editing and music choice, strongly recommended watch.

[@crowKAKAWWW]

The track coming in at 12:55 with Janja dressed in all black was hilarious., they introduced her like she's a Sith lord but we all know she's quite the opposite

[@ingridstupnanova3552]

ZingZillas

[@thephore]

The drama and competitiveness was a big over-egged if you ask me and only non-athletes voicing those thoughts but I loved the emotions. Thank you for giving us such an raw and honest look behind the curtains Jenya and Alannah!

[@norbseyy]

This is a refreshing video to see. I watch almost every single IFSC competition, and obviously watched the Olympics. It seems there’s always this feeling of a “friendly” competition environment conveyed by the athletes and commentators (and to some extent its true), but being an athlete myself, I always knew there had to be more stress and seriousness surrounding these competitions behind the scenes. Seeing how little mistakes cost climbers big points and how narrow the margins always are, I was always intrigued about how calm and relaxed everyone seemed when the dust was settled. This type of video is so necessary because it shows the reality of what these competitions do to the athletes. It shows the mental strength that it takes to be great, and it shows the mental strength that it takes to be a failure. This comment might seem like it’s going nowhere, but to finally reach my point, this type of seriousness surrounding competitive climbing is hugely necessary in the sport’s pursuit of becoming something bigger. Whether you’re an oldie that got into climbing for the vibes, or have fallen in love with the modern and evolving scene, I think everyone can agree that the more involved climbing becomes in the world of competitive sports, the bigger the scene will grow, the more accessible it will become, and the more excitement it will bring. Every passing day we see new facilities, new crag developments, new ways to train, and (most excitingly) the discovery of new movement. I enjoy rock climbing for the challenge it brings me on a personal level. My body, my mind, and my willpower against the rock. But, like any sport, competition brings on a new level of challenge; a new opportunity for inspiration, and I for one cannot wait to see that become a reality as competitive climbing continues pushing itself into the mainstream of competition sports globally.

[@CrispyCrimpsClimbing]

Being able to watch the struggles and emotions that these athletes go through sure is eye opening. Nothing but respect for anyone aiming to be the best they can

[@jordancapped]

Holy moly. This hyped me tf up. Someone needs to make a doc for the IFSC like they made a doc for F1. This was amazing to watch.

[@davidk3567]

Thats what this is

[@lisaakuahmusic]

Seeing Alannah in tears made me cry, too 😢 Wonderful documentary, I really loved it.

[@beaulieu2]

Best com climbing documentary series ever. We need more of this, very good entry point. Love this.

[@rsevillatorres]

Did you see "Climbing for Gold"?

[@ahannagan1661]

Hype pushers are spinning competitiveness into overblown, imbalanced, out-of-context pumped up rival drama narratives. Balance the narrative by showing commentator-heavy spin? Anyone notice the scenes when the athletes are chill and the narrator is omniscient drama master or Dr. Doom? Poor Matt Groom, this video injects his quotes with crack. Look at the actual athletes: Showing a normal range of emotion, a desire to win, and supporting themselves and each other through difficult times.

[@IndividualName]

Honestly, I am not a big fan of the documentary's style. Matt Groom is always overacting with his exaggerated facial expression (1:04 for example) and over-excited statements, the music score is overly dramatic, the narrative tells a story which is in huge part not backed up by the footage we see. I am not saying the climbing scene is just a bunch of good friends, nobody cares who is winning and everybody is just having a good time, either. I feel like this documentary was pitched in a certain way and then they had to stick to it although it doesn’t give the best result. I still enjoy the insights and most of the footage, but the editing style is…not my taste, to say the least offending.

[@j-se6js]

yeah i agree! It’s so over the top. all of the footage from the world cups is so awesome, just not the way its presented

[@fertlhuber]

i agree totally. Doku soap...

[@tommeyer3871]

What an amazing episode, this is so professional and I love it. Best part was the slow Janja reveal: hearing a "Ajde", seeing the olympics rings and only then showing her face with almost villain soundtrack

[@ShephardInvestments-o9z]

These athletes are amazing.

[@guillermosanchezdionis9475]

I really think that this kind of "Drive to Survive" note that this documentary has does not represent the climbing I know... Yes it is a sport and athletes want to win, but it is not the hunger games and kindness and humility are still values of this sport, which I don't see depicted here.

[@j-se6js]

yeah its a bit silly how dramatic this is, and how heavy the editing and music and everything pushes this really intense and high stakes atmosphere. which i guess it is but like not at this life or death level that’s being portrayed haha. It feels like im watching a reality tv show with how edited it is and i feel sort of bad for the athletes that are being portrayed so one dimensionally

[@danielkunkler7293]

Yea I wonder if they’ll touch on Brooke going to train with Janja and their emotional hug at the Olympics. Stark contrast to the “this is my opponent now” mentality they’re suggesting.

[@tiwiorogun1767]

Obviously it's not hunger games level at all times and this is dramatised quite a bit, but I think it's a bit ignorant to say that it doesn't get this intense when it actually comes to being on the wall and competing, which is mainly what this documentary has been about so far. It is this intense when it comes down to it, it would however be nice if they touch on more stuff outside of the actual comp, I.e. training, or day to day. When it's a lot less intense and the athletes are good friends, representing the climbing we've all come to love.

[@NatGeo]

Wanna see more? Watch Episode 2 of The Crux, right here on Nat Geo KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aF69kGuKi6eifdEsi=d1PI-qT-mxKq-yR0

[@themeatpopsicle]

Why yes, I do want to see more

[@stoutlager6325]

No. I don't. This isn't an honest documentary. The director or producer are trying to present comp climbing as something it isn't.

[@tarot_esoterica_with_erin]

Thank you Steve! ❤

[@tommallett8807]

This is an excellent episode! so keen for more!

[@MostafaSultan-r6l]

that's really inspiring

[@cocapoola]

Phenomenal series, and props to the editor on this episode!

[@Paydrohhh]

Fantastic production and behind the scenes footage. Captured the human side of being a competitive athlete while balancing the mental anguish climbers feel striving for the top against their friends in what’s a relatively “new” sport

[@maikburbach1348]

This is so great. Thanks for capturing these Moments and putting it together in such a quality 😮

[@Sylviology]

Fantastic! It's so moving to see a wide array of emotions beautifully and authentically depicted against the broad drama of the Bern World Championship comp. Especially interesting to watch the BTS a year later, after the Paris Olympics. ❤

[@aliyaclare]

Loved these two episodes and looking forward to the next one. Seeing Jakob's dedication and understanding that Austria didn't receive many medals in the Olympics, his joy on medalling in the combined means so much more. And SO cool to see Alex Megos celebrate Jakob's win and very cool to see Colin win silver.

[@cachox17]

This video leaves such a bad message about sports and climbing community. I can understand that high levels sports comes with high level competition, but its another thing entirely to portrait climbers as enemys, or like janja is portrayed in this docummentary. National Geographic could treat this docummentary hoever they wanted, and they choosed a reality tv aproach that is negative for sports, commaraderie and, ultimatly, love for sports and community. Awful piece of media.

[@j-se6js]

yeah i agree! the editing feels irresponsible, these are normal people just climbing, not some heroes and villains who exist for our entertainment

[@letterZach]

Great documentary, capturing the emotional rollercoaster ride the climber has to go through. ❤

[@patrickgoogle4011]

Great video I thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciate highlighting that all competitors feel the stress.

[@GregStover-in5hv]

So sorry to infringe on your privacy, just wanted to ask you something well why is it that, is so hard to get over someone you love I keep seeing them in my dreams I just wanted to know why is like that !??

[@Lena-tk7lm]

obsessed with how they chose to introduce janja

[@edouardlapointe1458]

Can’t wait to see that next episode😤😤

[@danielduranduran-g1q]

Thank you so much for these grate content. amazing footage and story telling. Climbing is a very big futuristic sport.

[@henripoulet1740]

thank's a lot

[@fx__________]

this is what we needed after this season of comps

[@victorvieira7469]

Please don't stop making these! Such a great series

[@ghinwamoujaes9059]

So glad such documentaries are finally being made for this sport!

[@ejl74]

This was dope!

[@Answer404]

Wow!

[@spider_najera]

Kazbekova 💙💛

[@niczzzs]

I really don’t like the over enthusiastic narration.

[@masterpropper2485]

It's the American way of narrating anything.

[@Amatsuichi]

high quality documentary, really moving and truly inspiring! Appreciated

[@snakejazz5980]

this is currently the best video about modern climbing on the internet (I've seen them all)

[@biancamari9729]

Wish it was longer! I wonder if you guys will cover the Olympics. Also wish you guys got to cover more athletes, seriously love them all!

[@yusui8176]

This is only the first episode there’s more to come

[@ChillGardensSV]

This coach needs to stop telling his athletes how to feel.

[@grafzhl]

And your credentials are?

[@Madrichardson]

Yes he does.

[@SM-sg9em]

Best comp climbing docu out there.

[@Johnny-zs6vo]

Love this series

[@jussyuchi5076]

Oh drama, the magic seasoning of film production.

[@stevefranke3985]

This is awesome!!! I climbed as a younger. Nowadays disc golf os my love. I've caddied for a lot of women that are way better than I ever was!!!

[@gilbertcortez6081]

Janja was so overpowered that she is portrayed as a villain. Madara-like aura.

[@bigabau]

I hate when politics and sports get mixed up... plus the drama...

[@e.rohner5704]

There aren't any credits for who actually made this!?

[@GregStover-in5hv]

So sorry to infringe on your privacy, just wanted to ask you something well why is it that, is so hard to get over someone you love I keep seeing them in my dreams I just wanted to know why is like that !??

[@pleypley7]

It’s really a shame to put so much drama and so little climbing in a documentary about… climbing. We barely see the athletes doing their moves and performances. Very very disappointing

[@arquidelphos]

This is a show, that I really liked to see. But I don’t like Disney. It’s so bad that we can’t see National Geographic in another Chanel.

[@milad_shaad]

❤

[@daria2784]

I don't understand Jenya's phrase about "being a refugee". She hadn't lived in Ukraine long before the war started. She lived and trained in Germany. So what's the difference then?

[@erichirst4976]

The Climbing Gold episode "War Games" from July 5th, 2024 answers your question pretty well i think.

[@daria2784]

Женя сама себе какую-то мифическую прекрасную цель выдумала и сама же расстроилась, когда ее не достигла. Никто не взваливал на нее ответственность за всю страну

[@FeFinotto]

Drive to Survive, but climbing version

[@paulheimweh]

They should go more outdoor climbing to reconnect themself with the roots of this beautiful sport.

[@elinys2843]

As soon as money comes in …

[@makizash7168]

Oriane Bertone, sponsored by Ryobi

[@sergiorclmbng2888]

Espidie 3

[@JeanVito-m5m]

Taylor Helen Brown Linda Garcia Frank

[@АнтонКрохмаль]

Слава Україні! Женя найкраща!

[@Redc8420]

12:49 really, for free?

[@calcetinsudado]

A good example of how to make a bad climbing documentary, sensationalist, biased and with a dark perspective on the composition. One perspective of so many that can be had by observing any sport, if you are a dark person you will pay attention to this, if you are otherwise you will pay attention to many other things and will compose a good example of a good documentary of any sport competition.

[@WalkerVirgil-i6q]

Wilson Amy Davis Shirley Clark Cynthia

[@garymuhr9320]

another commercial

[@mdroki3940]

Moulvibazar taki ke ke dekray

[@industrialtribe8441]

Nothing about Ai Mori ? Just hype about Janja wich we all know...

[@siriusalpha382]

I don´t know. Can you enlighten me?

[@industrialtribe8441]

@@siriusalpha382 lead world champion 2023 in front of Janja...

[@siriusalpha382]

@@industrialtribe8441 I know who Ai Mori is. I don´t know what you mean with "hype about Janja"?

[@industrialtribe8441]

@@siriusalpha382When you make a video about the world climbing championships in Bern and you only talk about Janja and don't even mention the winner... You understand ?

[@siriusalpha382]

@@industrialtribe8441 I understand. And you must also understand that you missed the point. This video is about COMBINED event which served as a quali for Qlympic Games in Paris. It showed the process and frustration of some competitors who did not qualify and also joy of those competitors who did ( Ai, Janja and Jessi - and Janja won combined event ). In this video they did not mention Ai and her win in lead event nor Janja and her win in boulder event. Clear?

[@maxamuudsheexo6205]

Hhh

[@cemepkacemepka]

polnaya hueta

[@MKW_K9]

There’s a one minute ad every 3 minutes in this video. What is this unwatchable garbage?

[@williamschildren855]

Why didn't ya'll cover Anastasia Sanders? She goes to my rock climbing gym And she's on team USA... just saying.

[@BowMcGee]

Woooow, she goes to your climbing gym??

[@antoniaguerra-watson9357]

Annie is featured on the Olympics channel on her experience in the OQS.

[@ElGuapoDeSantoPoco]

I would also love to own a climbing gym

[@wongrajon5474]

This video just made me understand how annoying Jenya is

[@aitorvega2641]

10 minutes into the documentary and this feels like Ukraine propaganda....

[@End_Illegal_Apartheid_israhell]

nice

[@Steven-ro6os]

i find this boring through being so anticlimactic. It would have been a lot more exciting if it had been released prior to the olympics.

[@tave-e4w]

thank you fo diz, natgeo. 🥰🤌😘 oh wow jellybean. as a non-athlete, diz was totally and incredibly inspirin' to watch. da almost unbearable pressure dey put on themselves tho. anyhoo, we totallytotallyTOTALLY stan these awesomazing peepz. you're also climbin' everest after class ayt??? yesh. datz da spirit. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! kweeeeeeeeeeeeeen lakhpa sherpa shall meet yo at da top. 🤍🤣🤗💎🌟💯💚

[@stevefranke3985]

This is awesome!!! I climbed as a younger. Nowadays disc golf os my love. I've caddied for a lot of women that are way better than I ever was!!!