Alex Honnold's First Podcast After Free-Climbing Taipei 101

Rich Roll

Feb 9, 2026

Episode description

Alex Honnold is the world's most accomplished free solo climber and subject of the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo. In this special episode—recorded live with a studio audience—we discuss his historic Taipei 101 climb, unreported solos, and his philosophy on risk, mortality, and living intentionally. READ MORE👉🏼http://bit.ly/richroll966
✌🏼🌱 – Rich

This Episode Is Brought To You By…

Mill: Get $75 off your fully automated food recycler with code RICHROLL + 90-day risk-free trial👉🏼https://bit.ly/MillRRP
Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10% off👉🏼https://bit.ly/squarespace2025
Airbnb: Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at👉🏼https://www.airbnb.com/host
Noble Mobile: The first phone carrier that pays you to use your phone less. Try it for just $10 with code RICHROLL👉🏼https://bit.ly/NobleMobileRRP
Seed: Save 25% OFF your first order👉🏼https://bit.ly/seedxrrp2025

Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors 👉🏾 https://bit.ly/rrpsponsors

LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/rrpitunes
Spotify: http://bit.ly/rrpspotify
Google: http://bit.ly/rrpgooglepods

Meal Planner: http://meals.richroll.com
Voicing Change Book: http://richroll.com/vc
Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RichRollPodcastClips
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/rollcallemail

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 INTRO
00:00:14 Aftermath of the Climb
00:02:34 Planning, Expectations, and Pre-Climb Challenges
00:03:22 Building Conditions & Dress Rehearsal
00:05:58 Climbing Experience & Audience Awareness
00:09:48 Physical Demands & Training Regimen
00:13:07 Unique Challenges of the Building
00:17:03 Live Event Pressure & Production Stress
00:21:10 Day-of Routine & Climb Execution
00:24:02 Public Reaction & Social Media
00:26:04 AD BREAK 1
00:28:33 Behind the Scenes: Adam Skolnick’s Perspective
00:35:49 Climbing Community & Personal Life
00:39:24 Comparing the Building to El Capitan
00:40:55 Alex’s Other Solo Projects & Future Plans
00:42:38 AD BREAK 2
00:47:14 Audience Q&A: Drive, Motivation, and Routine
00:50:51 Music Playlist & Messages from Musicians
00:52:55 Parenting, Kids, and Inspiring the Next Generation
00:56:26 Sanni Honnold’s Perspective
01:01:21 Production Team Insights
01:04:34 Fatherhood & Risk Tolerance
01:06:20 Aging, Peak Performance, and Longevity
01:08:13 Mental Health, Stress, and Public Perception
01:11:01 Nature vs. Building: Climbing Experience
01:14:47 Longevity, Health, and Life Beyond 40
01:16:05 Playfulness, Joy, and Project Selection
01:17:40 Sleep, Nerves, and Pre-Climb Mindset
01:19:28 Most Impressive Things Witnessed
01:24:57 Risk, Mortality, and Life Perspective
01:27:51 Downtime, Hobbies, and Life Outside Climbing
01:28:52 Upcoming Projects & Honnold Foundation
01:30:03 Closing Remarks & Farewell

CONNECT WITH RICH
✩ Website - http://richroll.com
✩ Rich Roll Podcast - https://richroll.com/all-episodes/
✩ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/richroll/
✩ Twitter - https://twitter.com/richroll
✩ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/richrollfans
✩ Strava - https://www.strava.com/athletes/14443?oq=rich
✩ Memoir: Finding Ultra - https://www.richroll.com/shop/books/finding-ultra/
✩ Meals - http://meals.richroll.com
✩ Cook - The Plantpower Way - https://www.richroll.com/shop/books/the-plantpower-way-signed/
✩ Italian! - The Plantpower Way: Italia - https://www.richroll.com/shop/books/the-plantpower-way-italia-signed/
✩ Support - https://www.patreon.com/richroll

Thanks To The Team: Jason Camiolo, Dan Drake, Morgan McRae, Blake Curtis, Desmond Loh

* * * * *

NEW TO RICH?
Hi I'm Rich Roll. I'm a vegan ultra-endurance athlete, author, podcaster, public speaker & wellness evangelist. But mainly I'm a dad of four. If you want to know more, visit my website or check out these two the NY Times articles:
http://bit.ly/otillonyt
http://bit.ly/vegansglam

I LOVE MAIL! SEND IT HERE:
2630 Conejo Spectrum St.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

#richroll #richrollpodcast

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Identify true stressors beyond danger for personal growth

The things that truly stress him out are not the life-threatening risks, but rather feeling like he is performing poorly and wasting his life on a pursuit he can't do.

#personal-growth

#stress

Choose flexible holds to reduce fear in climbing

Grabbing metal that visibly flexes is less scary than a rock hold that feels solid but could snap without warning, because you can feel how much give there is.

#risk

Avoid repetitive motion to prevent unique fatigue and pain

Climbing the building was more taxing than varied rock climbing because the repetitive motion hammered the same muscles, leading to lower back pain afterward.

#muscle

#pain

Compartmentalize stress through playful activities

To handle the immense stress of the live event, he was insulated by his team and played ping pong on a table provided in his hotel room.

#resilience

#stress

Maintain routine after success to reinforce healthy habits

Immediately after his successful El Capitan climb, he wanted to do his hangboard workout to stick with the healthy routine that got him there.

#habits

#routine

Utilize mortality awareness to align with your values

Being mindful of your own mortality is a useful tool for putting anxieties into perspective and evaluating if you are living in line with your values.