Did I mention that I’m the biggest National Geographic fanboy alive? If you look closely enough at the image on the left, you’ll see that not only did I begin saving my 37-yr uninterrupted string of Nat’l Geo magazines in 1980, but that I preserve them in leather binders provided by (of course) National Geographic.
Sure, there are probably a few collectors with more a more impressive array, but none who are more loyal to the brand. Nowadays, you can buy Nat Geo
So it is with great anticipation that I await the NG article with details about Alex Honnold’s climb.
Taking a peek at Nat Geo’s online edition, I was able to read about this 31-yr-old’s audacious feat of free-solo climbing Yosemite’s El Capitan face in less than 4 hours this weekend. A fellow climber called it the “moon landing” of free-soloing (no ropes, no safety net, just hand chalk and guts). It’s never been done.
Not to be a spoiler, but I will tell you a couple of salient points from the brief online article that I find of particular value to us as freelance voice-actors…as human beings.
First, Honnold didn’t just decide one day to tackle El Capitan. He’s
- He practices relentlessly
- He’s conquered fear
Hmmm.
Sound familiar? What’s the saying about luck amounts to being prepared when
THAT’s the relentless practice part.
But the other thing…conquering fear.
Here’s the deal. Other climbers in Honnold’s echelon (there are only a few) may be marginally stronger or have better technique, but Honnold stands alone in being able to focus
That’s beyond just concentration. That is a triumph of mind over matter equal to the best of humankind.
You may call Honnold crazy…testing fate…being reckless. To some that
So what’s YOUR El Capitan?
What fear is keeping you from your greatest achievement?
What hesitation prevents you from living your VO dream?
Me?
I’m calling National Geographic HQ tomorrow to see if they need any new documentary narrators.
CourVO