Three Lessons of Alex Honnold

(Disclaimer: This story is specifically for the faint of heart)

Chances are, sometime within the last ten years, you’ve come across at least a nugget of Alex Honnold media coverage. The extraordinary rock climber, known for his fantastically terrifying ability to “free solo” — climbing with no ropes or support — has been somewhat of a worldwide spectacle. And beneath this televised buzz, his kind, dry, and level personality makes him all the more peculiar and fascinating. He lived in a van for more than a decade, keeps his milieu as simple as possible, and is absolutely relentless in his desire to do what no one else has done before, no exceptions. But what makes him so unique? What is within him that allows him to do such extraordinary things (his free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park is frequently touted as one of the most incredible feats of athleticism in all of human history) yet remain unbelievably grounded as a character? In the documentary Free Solo, Alex is explored as both a person and a climber. The Venn diagram between these two hats he wears is unbelievably close, almost a full circle, but that’s what makes him so special. As I sat through the movie, on the edge of my seat for half of the time, I was so moved by his methodical approach to climbing that I almost bought a chalk bag myself (what climbers employ to keep their hands dry and grippy). But I don’t need to do that to achieve great things; Honnold’s mentality towards climbing is applicable to every area of life, no matter the altitude or stakes. We can learn so much from…