'Edge of the Unknown' with Jimmy Chin

Lisa M. Hendey explores a new TV series featuring pioneering adventure athletes as they recount the most consequential moments of their lives.

When you’re on a quest to redefine what’s humanly possible, the line between triumph and tragedy is razor thin … In the pivotal moments, when life hangs in the balance, what drives the greatest to keep pushing, to stare down fear, to risk everything? (Jimmy Chin, Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin)

The iconic voiceover that airs during the opening credits of the latest project from Oscar®, BAFTA, and Multiple Emmy® Award-Winning Directing Duo E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin catches some sense of what makes EDGE OF THE UNKNOWN, a phenomenal ten-part series from National Geographic, so very compelling. Part extreme athleticism, part nature documentary, part exploration of the human psyche, this show is physically beautiful and emotionally challenging.

Along with documenting the best of the best at what they do, whether that happens atop a mountain, in the barrel of the world’s biggest wave, or on the side of a cliff with no safety lines, this series looks at what’s happening in the bodies, brains, hearts, and souls of the incredible men and women who accomplish the seemingly impossible. Chin is not only incredible at getting the photographic angles that bring these moments into focus. He’s also a gifted storyteller whose team manages to get to the ideas and thought processes that can only come from the athletes themselves.

It seems to me that like other projects I’ve loved by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, EDGE OF THE UNKNOWN WITH JIMMY CHIN was made to be seen on a huge television with full surround sound. As viewers, we are transported to places most of us will never personally see. Our senses are fully engaged. And even though we know “the rest of the story,” we cling to the edge of our seats as time after time the odds are defied, tragedy is averted (or survived), and we see the indomitable spirit of humanity on full display.

Having screened a few episodes of the series, I can’t wait to binge it on National Geographic and Disney+. Many of the emotions shared by those whose stories are told are fodder for our own personal growth in so many areas of life where we strive to defy the limitations we so often place upon ourselves.

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Bold, beautiful, a bit stressful, but definitely worth the watch, Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin premieres Monday, Sept. 5, at 9:30/8:30c on National Geographic with all episodes available on Disney+ beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Synopsis:

For the world’s top adventure athletes, the line between triumph and tragedy is razor thin. In the pivotal moments when life hangs in the balance, what drives the greatest to continue pushing to redefine what is humanly possible? From Academy Award®-Winning executive producers E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, EDGE OF THE UNKNOWN WITH JIMMY CHIN is an epic 10-part series that takes audiences inside the minds of pioneering adventure athletes as they recount the most consequential moments of their lives on their journey to perfect the mastery of their craft. Through intimate interviews and archival footage from the world’s top big wave surfers, climbers, big mountain snowboarders, polar explorers and kayakers, EDGE OF THE UNKNOWN WITH JIMMY CHIN is an adrenaline ride that gives viewers a front-row seat to these adventures, uncovering how they adapt and evolve, even after being confronted by fear, devastating personal loss and Mother Nature at her harshest. Witness stories of bravery and perseverance, and how these top athletes prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for their high-stakes endeavors.

'Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin' Nat Geo Broadcast Schedule:

Monday, Sept. 5, at 9:30/8:30c – “Before Free Solo” – Alex Honnold
Monday, Sept. 5, at 10/9c – “The No Fall Zone” – Angel Collinson
Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 10/9 – “Fight or Die” – Gerd Serrasolses
Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 10:30/9:30c – “Return to Life” – Conrad Anker
Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 10/9c – “Riding the Avalanche” – Travis Rice
Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 10:30/9:30c – “Will Power” – Will Gadd
Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 10/9c – “Eaten by Jaws” – Justine Dupont
Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 10:30/9:30c – “Live Another Day” – Jimmy Chin
Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 10/9c – “Deadly Waters” – Ben Stookesberry
Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 10:30/9:30c – “Hunted in the Arctic” – Sarah McNair-Landry

Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin premieres Monday, Sept. 5, at 9:30/8:30c on National Geographic with all episodes available on Disney+ beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Copyright 2022 Lisa M. Hendey
Images: copyright 2022 National Geographic/Teague Wasserman, all rights reserved, used with permission; copyright Justine Dupont, all rights reserved, used with permission