Renowned free solo climber Alex Honnold, famous for his groundbreaking ascent of El Capitan without ropes, shares insights on managing fear and motivation. He discusses the psychology of climbing, highlighting how he uses self-talk and visualization to conquer challenges. Honnold reflects on his intrinsic drive and the balance of risk and reward, revealing how facing fear can lead to personal growth. He also humorously explores his everyday decision-making using an alter ego, showcasing the connection between adventure and aligning life choices with values.

Alex Honnold, a global climbing icon and founder of the Honnold Foundation, shares his insights on the balance between extreme sports and fatherhood. He discusses his transformative journey, including a daring 2,600-mile climb of Alaska's Devil's Thumb. The conversation covers his evolving views on risk, environmental activism, and the impact of parenting on personal adventures. With his trademark wit, Alex also tackles listener questions about ethics in climbing and shares humorous anecdotes about life's simple pleasures.

In this engaging conversation, Alex Honnold, history's greatest free solo climber and star of the Oscar-winning documentary, shares the unique mindset that fuels his incredible feats. He delves into the mental strategies necessary for tackling daunting climbs, like El Capitan, without safety ropes. Alex discusses navigating fear, the importance of community, and how family life influences his adventurous spirit. With insights into the balance between risk and responsibility, he inspires listeners to confront their own challenges with courage.

In 2017, Alex Honnold did what even the world’s best rock climbers thought was impossible. He climbed to the top of El Capitan– a granite rock mountain more than 3,000 feet high– without a rope, harness, or net. His audacious feat was the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo,” and it left Adam Grant with some burning questions about what we can learn from his unique approach to managing fear. In this episode of ReThinking, another podcast in the TED Audio Collective, Alex opens up about how he regulates his emotions when he’s hanging on by just a few fingers, what still scares him, and how he stays motivated to pursue ambitious goals. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG2. And for more conversations on how the world’s most interesting people think, follow ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you're listening to this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining the conversation is Alex Honnold, the world-renowned rock climber famous for free solo ascents, including the iconic El Capitan. He discusses the elusive flow state that enables peak performance and how rigorous preparation is key to his success. Alex shares insights on navigating fear and the mental techniques he employs during climbs. He reflects on the influence of upbringing on his mindset and emphasizes balancing climbing ambitions with personal life, encouraging listeners to embrace challenges for growth.

Renowned rock climber Alex Honnold shares the importance of adapting to challenging environments. The podcast explores his journey through extreme climbing, embracing adaptability in parenthood and life, and balancing drive with flexibility.

In this engaging conversation, Alex Honnold, a legendary rock climber famous for his daring free solo climbs, shares insights from his exhilarating life scaling cliffs without ropes. He discusses the mental and physical challenges of free soloing, including gripping anecdotes from ascents like Half Dome. Honnold emphasizes the importance of inner motivation, the bond with nature, and the balance between risk and caution. Additionally, he touches on his philanthropic efforts with the Honnold Foundation, promoting sustainable solar energy for communities in need.

Rock climbing legend Alex Honnold discusses his next challenge, 'Bachelor Party,' rated 9a/5.14d. He shares insights on life updates, fatherhood, and managing negative thoughts. Alex talks about his hiking journal, the flow state of climbing, and the mental challenges of pushing climbing limits.

Alex Honnold, professional climber and star of the film Free Solo, joins the podcast. They discuss his unknown epic solos, near misses, lessons learned from climbing legends, pooping while free soloing, the success of Free Solo, commitment to excellence, and more!

In this engaging talk, Alex Honnold, the legendary rock climber famous for his free solo ascents, discusses his transition from engineering student to climbing icon. He dives into the emotional complexities of extreme sports, balancing personal milestones with competition. The conversation shifts to his Honnold Foundation, emphasizing solar energy's impact on disadvantaged communities, particularly in healthcare. Alex highlights innovative projects and the importance of sustainability, advocating for a holistic approach to climate change that empowers communities.