JRE #1189 - Alex Honnold

25-Oct-18

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Joe Rogan Podcast #1189 – Alex Honnold

This podcast offers a captivating glimpse into the world of free solo climbing with Alex Honnold, renowned for his daring ascents without ropes. The conversation explores the psychological and physical demands of this extreme sport, Honnold’s journey to the top of El Capitan, and his unique perspective on life, risk, and the pursuit of adventure.

Provocative topics include the dangers of complacency in climbing, the psychological preparation for free soloing, the nature of risk and reward in extreme sports, and the impact of fame on Honnold’s personal life. The podcast delves into the underlying themes of human resilience, the importance of mental discipline, the allure of pushing personal limits, and the power of living an intentional life.

Major Topics

Free Solo Climbing: The Psychology of Risk

Honnold emphasizes the mental aspect of free soloing, arguing it’s more demanding than the physical.
He describes how overconfidence can be dangerous, and he prefers to avoid easy solo climbs to avoid complacency.
Honnold highlights the importance of mental preparation and visualization, aiming to anticipate and desensitize himself to potential dangers.
He explains how he avoids distractions and dedicates time to introspection and processing before a major climb.

Honnold’s Preparation and Approach to Free Soloing

He describes the grueling physical training involved, including months of preparation for his El Capitan ascent.
Honnold rejects the idea of taking time off before a major climb, instead focusing on ramping up intensity.
He explains that his physical training is geared towards maximizing psychological preparedness and confidence.
Honnold doesn’t engage in formal mental training, but he uses visualization techniques to familiarize himself with the climbing experience.

The Impact of Fame and Media Attention on Honnold

Honnold acknowledges the challenges of balancing his introverted nature with increased media exposure.
He describes the contrast between his solitary climbing life and the busy, demanding world of film promotion.
Honnold views the media tour as an “expedition” in itself, embracing the opportunity for unique experiences.
Despite the demands of fame, Honnold expresses appreciation for the opportunities it brings and the positive impact he can have.

Honnold’s Life and Perspective

Honnold describes his nomadic lifestyle, living in a van and climbing around the world.
He details his move to Las Vegas, highlighting the area’s accessibility for climbing and its natural beauty.
Honnold discusses his evolving approach to nutrition and health, prioritizing a plant-based diet and mindful living.
He shares his views on environmentalism and his dedication to supporting solar energy projects through his foundation.

Climbing Culture and the Difficulty of Routes

Honnold explains the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) used to rate climbing difficulty, from easy trails to elite rock climbing routes.
He discusses the global variations in climbing culture and the different grading systems employed in various countries.
Honnold highlights the constant pursuit of pushing the limits of difficulty, with climbers searching the world for challenging climbs.
He describes the “elemental” aspect of climbing, finding satisfaction in conquering natural challenges.

Comparing Climbing Disciplines and the Limits of Human Performance

Honnold compares free solo climbing to other disciplines, like speed climbing, which requires a different approach and level of intensity.
He describes the incredible strength and athleticism of elite climbers like Adam Ondra, who has pushed the boundaries of climbing difficulty.
Honnold emphasizes the differences in physical and mental requirements between free soloing and roped climbing.
He explains how free soloing demands a more controlled and relaxed approach, while roped climbing allows for greater risk-taking and aggressive moves.

The Dangers of Climbing and Honnold’s Experiences with Injuries

Honnold shares his experiences with injuries, including a back injury sustained during a fall and an ankle sprain.
He describes how these injuries highlight the fragility of the human body and the inherent risks of climbing.
Honnold discusses the importance of understanding the limitations of the body and avoiding complacency.
He shares a story of a friend who sustained a serious injury while speed climbing, emphasizing the unpredictability of climbing accidents.

Honnold’s Future Plans and His Vision for a Sustainable World

Honnold expresses uncertainty about his future climbing ambitions, acknowledging that he may not pursue further big solo climbs.
He highlights the growing importance of his foundation, which supports solar energy projects around the world.
Honnold is passionate about promoting sustainable energy solutions and believes solar power has the potential to transform the world.
He discusses the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a more sustainable future and the importance of embracing change.

The Podcast’s Impact and the Importance of Sharing Ideas

Honnold expresses openness to the idea of starting a podcast, recognizing the potential impact of sharing his thoughts and experiences.
He discusses the possibility of using a podcast to promote his foundation and engage with a wider audience.
Honnold acknowledges the power of sharing ideas and the butterfly effect of communication in shaping the world.
He encourages listeners to embrace the potential of making a difference, no matter how small.

5 Memorable Quotes:

“The real challenge of free soloing is the psychological side, the mental side of it. It’s not so much the physical.”
“I’ve always sort of kept my personal, like, on your personal barometer of effort, I sort of live between 4 and 7, let’s say, or like, you know, 3 and a half and 7 maybe, where it’s like you’re never too relaxed, but you’re also never going to the absolute death.”
“It’s sort of like realizing a life dream, and you’re sort of like, okay. I’ve seen that before. It’s a similar idea where you’re like, okay. Well, no, it’s not even. I mean, it’s yeah. Yeah. It’s about analogy.”
“I’m still trying to be a better climber. I’m still trying to grow the foundation, do something more significant through it. I’m actually hired a full time executive director this year, this woman who’s running for me. Which is kinda awesome. So we’re actually sort of ramping it all up a little bit.”
“I spend most of my time in the most beautiful places on Earth. I mean, spending most of my time in national parks and and public lands in general. And so I’m in all these beautiful places and it’s like, yeah, I mean, I care about them. I want to you know, if I have a family someday, I wanna be able to take my kids to these same places and have them appreciate the land in the same way.”

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