The Crux - Trailer

Stoked's first attempt at longer format story-telling, this is the story of 2 unlikely entrepreneurs who started a climbing gym in Nashville, TN and how they evolve over time as business partners, humans, and members of the climbing community.

You can now also watch the full film of the CRUX for free.

Transcript

Looking back, all of our assumptions were wrong. We couldn't have been farther from the truth. We were just making it all up as we went. 

I just started working on this idea, I knew nothing about writing a business plan, I knew nothing about running a business.

It just happens fast.

The state's largest indoor climbing gym and fitness facility is hosting a grand opening celebration for its newest location.

The industry is growing very, very, rapidly. Indoor rock climbing and outdoor rock climbing are almost two completely separate things.

Most of climbing is essentially failing over and over. 

I think I climbed outdoors 48 out of 52 weekends. I skipped funerals and weddings and--

We were working 100, 105 hour weeks. 

And then go work construction half the night.

Started living in my car. I started falling asleep sitting up. 

Man, there's something really special about this place. What I'm doing really has an impact on the people in this gym. 

You're scared of not getting there, but you really, really want it. 

You and I go climbing together, like, my life is in your hands, and vice versa, you know, like, if we're playing two on two basketball, you know, like, you-- it's not really. That's not the same.

Community is almost our commodity, and we build that around climbing.