🎯 All Moments (20)
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The Surprising Safety of High-Stakes Climbing
Honnold argues that professional climbing is surprisingly safe and comparable to recreational skiing, despite the extreme public perception of danger.
Rewiring the Brain Through 20 Years of Conditioning
Alex discusses how his brain's amygdala works normally, but his years of exposure therapy have changed his neurological response to risk compared to an average person.
Staying Rational in High-Stakes Situations
Alex explains his technique for managing fear by distinguishing between actual danger and the mind's irrational runaway feelings.
Greatness is Just Good Repeated
Alex Honnold breaks down the myth of greatness, explaining that elite performance is simply the result of repeating 'good' actions consistently over time.
The Illusion of the Magic Trick
Alex breaks down the misconception of 'overnight success' or natural talent, explaining that what looks like a magic trick to the public is actually the result of 30 years of daily practice.
The Truth Behind the Famous Fearless Brain Scan
Alex explains that his famous amygdala brain scan results aren't due to a biological anomaly, but rather 20 years of intense exposure and practice.
Alex Honnold: I Don't Have a Different Brain
Alex Honnold pushes back against the idea that he is biologically 'different' or more gifted than others, attributing his success entirely to time and love for his craft.
Why You Should Work for Free Early On
Alex Honnold shares how doing free work led to his biggest career milestones, like National Geographic and 60 Minutes, by focusing on the 'game' rather than the day rate.
Find the Work That Doesn't Feel Like Work
Alex shares the advice he would give his children about finding a career, emphasizing the importance of finding something that doesn't feel like a grind despite the physical or mental difficulty.
The Only Way to Overcome Fear
Alex Honnold debunks the idea of shortcuts or hacks for bravery, explaining that true fearlessness is built through repeated, terrifying exposure.
The Power of Embarrassingly Small Goals
Alex shares a powerful story from a psychologist about a patient who overcame severe demotivation by setting goals so small they felt shameful, proving that any step forward is better than none.
How to Make the Impossible Reasonable
Alex shares his strategy for tackling massive challenges like El Capitan by breaking them down into small, workable pieces until they feel achievable.
Choosing Your Risks vs. Accidental Risks
Alex challenges the conventional view of risk by comparing extreme sports to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy habits, arguing that everyone takes risks, but most don't choose them intentionally.
The Liberating Power of Remembering You Will Die
A profound discussion on how acknowledging mortality liberates us from sunk cost bias, social anxiety, and the fear of taking risks.
Clarity is the Reward for Action
Using a famous Steve Jobs quote, the speakers discuss why you can't wait for a perfect plan to start moving; clarity only comes after you've taken the steps.
Paying Attention is a Form of Love
Steven Bartlett reads a letter from Alex Honnold's wife, Sanni, which beautifully describes how Alex's unique way of 'seeing' the world is his deepest expression of love.
Why Avoiding Risk is the Biggest Risk of All
A powerful perspective on death and mortality, arguing that the fear of dying often prevents people from actually living a life they are proud of.
The Brain Circuit for Willpower
Steven Bartlett explains the Anterior Mid-Cingulate Cortex, a recently discovered part of the brain that grows when you force yourself to do things you resist.
The Risk of Living Without Intention
Alex delivers a compelling 'rant' about how average people take massive unintentional risks in daily life while judging his calculated professional risks.
Why Being a Finance Bro is Alex Honnold's Nightmare
The world's most daring climber explains why a corporate desk job and arbitrary rules are more frightening to him than a vertical mountain face.