As he says himself about when he's free soloing: "There's no adrenaline rush, if there's an adrenaline rush that means something has gone terribly wrong." Even if thrill seeking was a factor in why he started climbing, I think it's misleading to label him as a thrill seeker. If you listen to much of what he has to say, free soloing is all about mastery for him. Mastery of himself, and mastery of the wall.
Dan Becker What a ridiculous thing to claim. Adrenaline junkies self report ENTIRELY DIFFERENT mental states and motives. Mastery, competence, precision, and CALM are not at all associated with thrill seeking. You might as well have said cashier and a fortune 500 CEO are “wired” the same way. Based on what? Literally EVERYTHING about adrenaline junkies and Alex Honnold are polar opposites. Don’t be naive.
He sounds and talks nothing like a thrill seeker. He is a monk in the best sense, he lives the most basic way of life. He is most certainly in a meditative zone.
Alex does not take chances. He is EXTREMELY CALCULATED in every move, always maintaining primary contact points. Having said that, he is a super human.
MeanGeneSanDiego it is thrill seeking ...alex talks about how he felt when he climbed el capitan and it was thrilling to him but he was able to control it...
Diana Wrong. Dead wrong. Egregiously wrong. Thrill seeking is about adrenaline. The point of thrill seeking is the frenetic level of energy you feel. This feeling is not only not the purpose of climbing, it is actively avoided in climbing. Just because Alex uses the word, that doesn’t mean they’re the same thing. I wrote a book. In one sense it was a “thrilling” experience...but that’s not why I wrote it and that’s not the psychological state that allowed me to write it. Climbing is about competency, mastery, and absolute precision. “Thrill” isn’t an emotion conducive to this state. Alex Honnold has repeatedly corrected people who suggest he does it for thrills.
Winston Sol you are very convincing... I believe you... its interesting that I actually started to think of my own experience and I didn’t like skydiving the adrenalin rush I hate, but I do like climbing... I might have pushed my limit too far with water solo than and become an adrenalin rush... good chatting with you 🤗
Absolutely, like a gymnast preparing for the Olympics. Preparation, preparation, preparation. There's no guess work, it's all been rehearsed many, many times to perfection.
@@winstonsol8713 agree. .alex climbs composed of "competency, mastery and absolute precision". . .and detachment. .he climbs on rockwalls like a yogi in meditation. .some instances he could afford to smile halfway up- his face so serene so detached from his action. .his climbing moves were subjected under his consciousness without haste and competition. .everytime after a successful climb he stares at space all around him stoically. .no jubilation of any sort- shows a perfect control of himself. .this kind of indifference and similar traits sets alex afar from others. .
I think one thing that is not being emphasized much is desensitization. All of us (or at least most of us) are born with a healthy fear of heights that corresponds with the danger of falling and being killed or maimed. So if we are infrequently exposed to dangerous heights, our sensitivity to those heights remains very acute, and we find difficulty in performing even simple tasks when exposed. With familiarity to dangerous heights, we relax more and can perform at a much higher level. This is a lot of what is going on with Alex and many climbers. They are comfortable at heights because they have so much exposure. Even the danger doesn't seem so dangerous. This has been my experience both in rappelling and working in building construction.
Yea and i think our brains can adapt, i think in the documentary Alex said , "you sure my amylydga (whatever i cant spell it) isn't just tired from being used for so much?" Well, it's somewhere along these lines. I don't think his a psychopath and he was born different, i think he just had a lot of exposure like you said, and his brain has adapted, i mean, this process probably took like 10 years honestly.
Sure but his amygdala doesn't work for any other stimulation either. You can be desensitised in rock climbing but have a social phobia. This guy just has an almost inactive amygdala.
Actually there is a generalisability to these things. If you can ropeless rock climbing it would be unlikely that you have social phobia. A common key underlying feature of social phobia is the feeling of being less competent compared to others. Feeling less than them and not worthy. That would most likely dissipate if you could ropeless climb esp at Alex level, as that is a solid behavioural signal that you are on a higher plane
I think of when I climbed the barn, our barn with my 5 brothers when I was young. I did not go as high or as far because I was not as good climbing. Alex is an excellent climber and loves to climb. Loves to challenge himself and his skills. I do love that Alex is able to explain his position for himself. Listen to Alex. Really listen to what Alex says. From the horses mouth. The Master. God Bless you Alex. I find you an inspiration.
Alex doesn't see it this way at all. he says he doesn't get a thrill unless something gores wrong. if you repeat something over and over, it is not thrilling anymore.
Tell this to my autonomic system. Every single time I watch Alex Honnald free solo, my hands sweat. Every single time. I have absolutely no control over this, and no matter how many times I watch, I do not become habituated. I continue to display hyperhidrosis.
It was overseas somewhere. I want to say it was Oman, a place he went to with Jimmy Chin, Emily Harrington (I think), and another older/seasoned climber. There is a video on RUclips that details this trip.
I did some solo rock climbing. For me it was about the concentration, being in the moment. When you are close to death in this way your anxiety and worries completely vanish, you are so focused on the technique! There's a great feeling in the end of being one with nature, being alive. For me it certainly was an escape hatch from the misery of my life! I have changed since, I guess you could say I have found a new path, one that involves helping others escape their misery. My life finally makes sense 😉
Beck Weathers says that in the movie "Everest," when speaking of the attraction of mountain climbing for him--that when climbing he left all his cares behind him. By the way, I'm curious--what is your new path now? I'm glad your life makes sense for you now!
I don’t know why everyone in this comment section is angry. Weirdos. I underwent fMRI scans years ago and found out that I have the exact same issue that Alex has, in that my amygdala is vastly hypoactive. I can absolutely confirm that I do not get the same amount of enjoyment out of certain films as my friends do, nor haunted houses, roller coasters, theme parks, etc. etc. none of us voluntarily spend time doing anything unless we enjoy it. We enjoy it because of a chemical reaction. Typically that chemical reaction is the release of endorphins. Engaging in safe but scary activities that activate our amygdala and release our fight or flight hormones, naturally results in a huge flooding of endorphins as a byproduct. To everyone around me, I am very Zen, but not to Alex‘s introverted level. I have also found myself gravitating toward particularly dangerous activities, and I’ve had to learn to be cognizant of the differences between myself and others. I’ve had to learn over the years to keep an eye on my own behavior, so as to not hurt myself. However, like it or not, both Alex and I, and anyone with this particular psychology, require far more stimulation to enjoy life in-general, and it’s perfectly fair to categorize us as thrill seekers, as compared to the rest of the population. It’s just important to remember that people like us are not just impulsive maniacs. We know exactly how dangerous the things that we do are. We know this LOGICALLY. We can very eloquently convey to others how dangerous we understand it to be, and what the consequences could be. The difference being, we don’t FEEL anything When we are talking about it or thinking about it. This is what makes people like us, like Alex so capable of taking it so logically, almost mathematically, and what makes it possible for us to be so hyper focused on these tasks. In the end, it is like a super power, because it allows us to maintain focus and control where the average person would freak out and falter.
Going 130 mph on the interstate on a motorcycle is the exact same thing, chemically. Totally focused on that moment in order to stay alive. It's called Flow in psychology. It's the state we as humans do best when in. You don't have to be nearing death in the moment to be in flow,but for some of us, it SURE helps!
he's a high sensation seeking individual, but rather than doing drugs or alcohol he just free climbs and bet his life every time...it's not damagin till he dies! it's all about adrenaline rush and you need to have fear to understand the danger you're facing...if you were not having high levels of adrenaline you wuold not only be not human, but also very stupid and soon dead. sorry to say it, but its obviously a search for adrenaline, otherwise it simply doesnt make any sense climbing with no rope. it's addiction, it works till one day you dont feel perfect with yourself and its all over. you can hide it as much as you want, and tell me its all about mastery and acting like a monk...it's heavy addiction
darthsibilus u actually watch Free Solo? Alex doesnt nit seek adrenaline rushes. He says it many times. It youre getting an adtenaline rush that means somethings gone wrong. He even stopped his first try free soloing el capitan in the first quarter of it because he didnt feel good right. Hes all about control. You should watch the film. Its great
@@mattnagatni respect for your opinion, expressed with much respect. with same respect i answer. i saw the film: very much respect for Alex, very good person, very interesting and very intelligent. what he says is: you dont wanna be SCARED, you dont want to be catched by fear and not be able to move any more. i therefore i agree till this point with you: you have to control your adrenaline rush while climbing (but keep enough adrenaline to recognize you are in danger, if you fall you die. fear is good and necessary at a low level...). the real adrenaline rush is what you get when: you are at the top and you made it (or even more when you fall and know youre gonna die ihihi!!!). when you get to the top yuo thank god youre still fucking alive! man can you just imagine the adrenaline rush after such a hugh and prolongueed danger? much respect for him, much respect for you: but still sorry to say, i think you both hide it all behind what you call "mastery". i call it addiction: no matter, everyone is free to do whatever he wants until hopefully hes conscius about what and why he acts a certain way. you want to climb with no rope? it's fine, but i say you do it for adrenaline rush. if you tell me its mastery, i say you hide your "addiction". what is mastery? climbing with no rope? why are you a master? gods waiting for you at the top ands going to shake your hand? or maybe no: youre a master because you gain so much control over your fear, youre a master! yes, thats what he says! ok, you can be a master and control your fear...but EVERYBODY, even the best climber in the world, climbing with or wothout a rope, sooner or later commits a mistake...and then without a rope you die, you have thrown away your life, then god really shakes your hand but laughing at you! in my opinion yuo are a master when you recognize the value of life, when you recognize that no matter how master climber you think you are you can fall everytime, when you recognize that you fear is what keeps you alive. or otherwise you are a master if you dont give a shit about death, you climb with no rope. yuo consciously desire the adrenaline rush but recognize the reason why you do it is just that rush. I put it another way just to be clear: by saying hes a master its like saying he cant fall, which is impossible since hes human. by says hes a master because he has total control over his fear, and he has no adrenaline rush you say once again hes not human: first you say fear is useless, instead it is absolutely necessary, but most of all no master and no monk or similar has the power to totally overcome fear and totally control adrenaline. and when you say youre a master because you learned how to control your fear, youre lying youself thinking you are immortal but youre not. all that said, sorry for long text but i find it all very interesting and im opened to other ideas, i repeat i have much respect for alex and he still is better person that 99% people in the world, besides being free to do what he likes.
darthsibilus i would argue that the rush he gets from completing the solo is not adrenaline but dopamine. The feeling of being rewarded for the hardwork and completing the task. The adrenaline rush would come during the climb which he clearly says is sign of a problem
He is human and feels the same fears as everyone else. Except he is very used to what he is doing as he has been doing it whole life! His achievements are great but come on!
As he says himself about when he's free soloing: "There's no adrenaline rush, if there's an adrenaline rush that means something has gone terribly wrong." Even if thrill seeking was a factor in why he started climbing, I think it's misleading to label him as a thrill seeker. If you listen to much of what he has to say, free soloing is all about mastery for him. Mastery of himself, and mastery of the wall.
Functional Fitness because that’s how it feels to him, but his brain is still wired in the same way a thrill seekers is.
Dan Becker
What a ridiculous thing to claim. Adrenaline junkies self report ENTIRELY DIFFERENT mental states and motives. Mastery, competence, precision, and CALM are not at all associated with thrill seeking. You might as well have said cashier and a fortune 500 CEO are “wired” the same way. Based on what? Literally EVERYTHING about adrenaline junkies and Alex Honnold are polar opposites.
Don’t be naive.
Exactly.
Exactly Right. Well said.
@@winstonsol8713 👏👏👏 Yep
He sounds and talks nothing like a thrill seeker. He is a monk in the best sense, he lives the most basic way of life. He is most certainly in a meditative zone.
Alex does not take chances. He is EXTREMELY CALCULATED in every move, always maintaining primary contact points. Having said that, he is a super human.
Anyone who's ever climbed knows it's not thrillseeking, it's MASTERY seeking.
MeanGeneSanDiego it is thrill seeking ...alex talks about how he felt when he climbed el capitan and it was thrilling to him but he was able to control it...
Diana
Wrong. Dead wrong. Egregiously wrong.
Thrill seeking is about adrenaline. The point of thrill seeking is the frenetic level of energy you feel. This feeling is not only not the purpose of climbing, it is actively avoided in climbing. Just because Alex uses the word, that doesn’t mean they’re the same thing. I wrote a book. In one sense it was a “thrilling” experience...but that’s not why I wrote it and that’s not the psychological state that allowed me to write it. Climbing is about competency, mastery, and absolute precision. “Thrill” isn’t an emotion conducive to this state. Alex Honnold has repeatedly corrected people who suggest he does it for thrills.
Winston Sol you are very convincing... I believe you... its interesting that I actually started to think of my own experience and I didn’t like skydiving the adrenalin rush I hate, but I do like climbing... I might have pushed my limit too far with water solo than and become an adrenalin rush... good chatting with you 🤗
Absolutely, like a gymnast preparing for the Olympics. Preparation, preparation, preparation. There's no guess work, it's all been rehearsed many, many times to perfection.
@@winstonsol8713 agree. .alex climbs composed of "competency, mastery and absolute precision". . .and detachment. .he climbs on rockwalls like a yogi in meditation. .some instances he could afford to smile halfway up- his face so serene so detached from his action. .his climbing moves were subjected under his consciousness without haste and competition. .everytime after a successful climb he stares at space all around him stoically. .no jubilation of any sort- shows a perfect control of himself. .this kind of indifference and similar traits sets alex afar from others. .
I think one thing that is not being emphasized much is desensitization. All of us (or at least most of us) are born with a healthy fear of heights that corresponds with the danger of falling and being killed or maimed. So if we are infrequently exposed to dangerous heights, our sensitivity to those heights remains very acute, and we find difficulty in performing even simple tasks when exposed. With familiarity to dangerous heights, we relax more and can perform at a much higher level. This is a lot of what is going on with Alex and many climbers. They are comfortable at heights because they have so much exposure. Even the danger doesn't seem so dangerous. This has been my experience both in rappelling and working in building construction.
Yea and i think our brains can adapt, i think in the documentary Alex said , "you sure my amylydga (whatever i cant spell it) isn't just tired from being used for so much?" Well, it's somewhere along these lines. I don't think his a psychopath and he was born different, i think he just had a lot of exposure like you said, and his brain has adapted, i mean, this process probably took like 10 years honestly.
Sure but his amygdala doesn't work for any other stimulation either. You can be desensitised in rock climbing but have a social phobia. This guy just has an almost inactive amygdala.
Actually there is a generalisability to these things. If you can ropeless rock climbing it would be unlikely that you have social phobia. A common key underlying feature of social phobia is the feeling of being less competent compared to others. Feeling less than them and not worthy. That would most likely dissipate if you could ropeless climb esp at Alex level, as that is a solid behavioural signal that you are on a higher plane
Anything in the reasonable realm of human experience would not phase you
Except he isn't a "thrill-seeker" but a passion seeker!
Exactly..!
I think of when I climbed the barn, our barn with my 5 brothers when I was young.
I did not go as high or as far because I was not as good climbing. Alex is an excellent climber and loves to climb. Loves to challenge himself and his skills.
I do love that Alex is able to explain his position for himself. Listen to Alex. Really listen to what Alex says. From the horses mouth. The Master.
God Bless you Alex. I find you an inspiration.
He is doing what he loves
Alex doesn't see it this way at all. he says he doesn't get a thrill unless something gores wrong. if you repeat something over and over, it is not thrilling anymore.
Tell this to my autonomic system. Every single time I watch Alex Honnald free solo, my hands sweat. Every single time. I have absolutely no control over this, and no matter how many times I watch, I do not become habituated. I continue to display hyperhidrosis.
@Joe Sudz Fortunately, I saw an interview with Jimmy Chin, and the interviewer said his hands did the same thing! So, we're not alone!
👍😎
Misleading click bait title photo.
does anybody knows at 1:52 where he climb that wall. i m looking for that video on the net
It was overseas somewhere. I want to say it was Oman, a place he went to with Jimmy Chin, Emily Harrington (I think), and another older/seasoned climber. There is a video on RUclips that details this trip.
Also, he was climbing over water so no real danger if he fell.
I did some solo rock climbing. For me it was about the concentration, being in the moment. When you are close to death in this way your anxiety and worries completely vanish, you are so focused on the technique! There's a great feeling in the end of being one with nature, being alive. For me it certainly was an escape hatch from the misery of my life! I have changed since, I guess you could say I have found a new path, one that involves helping others escape their misery. My life finally makes sense 😉
Beck Weathers says that in the movie "Everest," when speaking of the attraction of mountain climbing for him--that when climbing he left all his cares behind him. By the way, I'm curious--what is your new path now? I'm glad your life makes sense for you now!
This guy is truly ropeless
I don’t know why everyone in this comment section is angry.
Weirdos.
I underwent fMRI scans years ago and found out that I have the exact same issue that Alex has, in that my amygdala is vastly hypoactive. I can absolutely confirm that I do not get the same amount of enjoyment out of certain films as my friends do, nor haunted houses, roller coasters, theme parks, etc. etc. none of us voluntarily spend time doing anything unless we enjoy it. We enjoy it because of a chemical reaction. Typically that chemical reaction is the release of endorphins. Engaging in safe but scary activities that activate our amygdala and release our fight or flight hormones, naturally results in a huge flooding of endorphins as a byproduct.
To everyone around me, I am very Zen, but not to Alex‘s introverted level. I have also found myself gravitating toward particularly dangerous activities, and I’ve had to learn to be cognizant of the differences between myself and others. I’ve had to learn over the years to keep an eye on my own behavior, so as to not hurt myself. However, like it or not, both Alex and I, and anyone with this particular psychology, require far more stimulation to enjoy life in-general, and it’s perfectly fair to categorize us as thrill seekers, as compared to the rest of the population. It’s just important to remember that people like us are not just impulsive maniacs. We know exactly how dangerous the things that we do are. We know this LOGICALLY. We can very eloquently convey to others how dangerous we understand it to be, and what the consequences could be. The difference being, we don’t FEEL anything When we are talking about it or thinking about it. This is what makes people like us, like Alex so capable of taking it so logically, almost mathematically, and what makes it possible for us to be so hyper focused on these tasks. In the end, it is like a super power, because it allows us to maintain focus and control where the average person would freak out and falter.
Going 130 mph on the interstate on a motorcycle is the exact same thing, chemically. Totally focused on that moment in order to stay alive. It's called Flow in psychology. It's the state we as humans do best when in. You don't have to be nearing death in the moment to be in flow,but for some of us, it SURE helps!
How is climbing without a rope less dangerous than drugs and alcohol? That might have been worded poorly.
He's nothing like a thrill-seeker. How can a guy fuck up so early in his analysis
Try Rodeo Clowning. Gets exciting
I'M THE SAME ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN SIR... MJ
Alex has a remarkably tiny little head. I wonder if that has any connection here 🤔
Incredible
This guy is wrong about his whole introduction.
the control looks lobotomized lol, frontal looks scooped out
he's a high sensation seeking individual, but rather than doing drugs or alcohol he just free climbs and bet his life every time...it's not damagin till he dies! it's all about adrenaline rush and you need to have fear to understand the danger you're facing...if you were not having high levels of adrenaline you wuold not only be not human, but also very stupid and soon dead. sorry to say it, but its obviously a search for adrenaline, otherwise it simply doesnt make any sense climbing with no rope. it's addiction, it works till one day you dont feel perfect with yourself and its all over. you can hide it as much as you want, and tell me its all about mastery and acting like a monk...it's heavy addiction
darthsibilus u actually watch Free Solo? Alex doesnt nit seek adrenaline rushes. He says it many times. It youre getting an adtenaline rush that means somethings gone wrong. He even stopped his first try free soloing el capitan in the first quarter of it because he didnt feel good right. Hes all about control. You should watch the film. Its great
@@mattnagatni respect for your opinion, expressed with much respect. with same respect i answer. i saw the film: very much respect for Alex, very good person, very interesting and very intelligent. what he says is: you dont wanna be SCARED, you dont want to be catched by fear and not be able to move any more. i therefore i agree till this point with you: you have to control your adrenaline rush while climbing (but keep enough adrenaline to recognize you are in danger, if you fall you die. fear is good and necessary at a low level...). the real adrenaline rush is what you get when: you are at the top and you made it (or even more when you fall and know youre gonna die ihihi!!!). when you get to the top yuo thank god youre still fucking alive! man can you just imagine the adrenaline rush after such a hugh and prolongueed danger? much respect for him, much respect for you: but still sorry to say, i think you both hide it all behind what you call "mastery". i call it addiction: no matter, everyone is free to do whatever he wants until hopefully hes conscius about what and why he acts a certain way. you want to climb with no rope? it's fine, but i say you do it for adrenaline rush. if you tell me its mastery, i say you hide your "addiction". what is mastery? climbing with no rope? why are you a master? gods waiting for you at the top ands going to shake your hand? or maybe no: youre a master because you gain so much control over your fear, youre a master! yes, thats what he says! ok, you can be a master and control your fear...but EVERYBODY, even the best climber in the world, climbing with or wothout a rope, sooner or later commits a mistake...and then without a rope you die, you have thrown away your life, then god really shakes your hand but laughing at you! in my opinion yuo are a master when you recognize the value of life, when you recognize that no matter how master climber you think you are you can fall everytime, when you recognize that you fear is what keeps you alive. or otherwise you are a master if you dont give a shit about death, you climb with no rope. yuo consciously desire the adrenaline rush but recognize the reason why you do it is just that rush.
I put it another way just to be clear: by saying hes a master its like saying he cant fall, which is impossible since hes human. by says hes a master because he has total control over his fear, and he has no adrenaline rush you say once again hes not human: first you say fear is useless, instead it is absolutely necessary, but most of all no master and no monk or similar has the power to totally overcome fear and totally control adrenaline. and when you say youre a master because you learned how to control your fear, youre lying youself thinking you are immortal but youre not.
all that said, sorry for long text but i find it all very interesting and im opened to other ideas, i repeat i have much respect for alex and he still is better person that 99% people in the world, besides being free to do what he likes.
darthsibilus i would argue that the rush he gets from completing the solo is not adrenaline but dopamine. The feeling of being rewarded for the hardwork and completing the task. The adrenaline rush would come during the climb which he clearly says is sign of a problem
@@mattnagatni youre right
He is human and feels the same fears as everyone else. Except he is very used to what he is doing as he has been doing it whole life! His achievements are great but come on!
Fear doesn't affect him the same way because he's a psychopath.
Nope. He's wired different. He's close to resemble a psychopath.
Not a thrill seeker but a mind control master
terrible title
Too much gobbing off. What's the point of this video.
The commentator has no clue about a climbers motivation. Strange.
This analysis is a joke, absolutely no clue what he's on about in the context of climbing
Boring interview👎