The Greatest Climber Alive: I Shouldn't Have Attempted That Climb!

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

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Thursday, 19 February 2026 - 1 hour 37 minutes

The man who risked death climbing 3,000ft up El Capitan, Alex Honnold, reveals how to master extreme pressure, why his brain scan showed zero fear, the science of risk, and his visualisation secrets.  

Alex Honnold is a professional rock climber and the first person to free solo El Capitan and Taipei 101, the 11th tallest building in the world. He is also the bestselling author of the book, ‘Alone on the Wall: Alex Honnold and the Ultimate Limits of Adventure’ and founder of the Honnold Foundation. 

He explains:

◼️How to rewire your brain to eliminate paralyzing fear

◼️The visualization technique used for the world’s most dangerous climbs

◼️Why your "purpose" is found in the risks you choose

◼️How to manage extreme stress when the stakes are fatal

◼️The "10-year grind" required to achieve true human mastery

(0:00) Intro
(2:28) The Real Story Behind What Made Alex Honnold
(9:26) Why His Upbringing Shaped His Risk Tolerance
(13:50) How Losing His Father Changed Him Forever
(18:47) Why Mastery Takes Years (And What Most People Get Wrong)
(21:37) What Happens When Fear Hits During Practice?
(25:41) The Most Effective Way To Actually Overcome Fear
(33:28) Why Modern Life Never Fit Him
(38:54) What Success Cost Behind The Scenes
(44:42) How Much Was He Really Paid To Risk His Life?
(47:26) What He Earned For Climbing Taipei 101
(51:10) What This Means About Risk And Reward
(53:18) The Moment You Truly Accept You Will Die
(1:10:06) Can You Rewire Your Brain To Eliminate Fear?
(1:18:32) What Happens To Fear After Years Of Exposure?
(1:19:39) If He Had One Last Climb — What Would It Be?
(1:23:39) The Hardest He’s Ever Pushed Himself — And Why
(1:26:50) Are Other People Taking Bigger Risks Than Him?
(1:32:06) What He Still Wants To Achieve — And What Comes Next

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