Alex Honnold doesn’t climb to feel alive, he climbs because, in those moments, life finally feels simple.

Today, Jay sits down with world-renowned climber Alex Honnold to explore what truly lies behind fear, focus, and extraordinary achievement. Alex shares how his relationship with fear has been shaped not by a lack of it, but by years of consistent exposure, revealing that courage isn’t about being fearless, but about learning how to listen, respond, and stay present.

Jay and Alex dive into the discipline behind seemingly impossible feats: visualization, preparation, and intentional living. Alex opens up about how he mentally rehearses climbs in vivid detail, not by imagining success alone, but by walking through every sensation, risk, and possibility. This process, he explains, allows him to stay calm and grounded when it matters most. Jay draws parallels to meditation, public speaking, and everyday challenges, showing how the same principles of visualization, presence, and focus can help anyone face intimidating moments with clarity and confidence.

Beyond climbing, Alex shows his other self, a husband, father, and friend who values simplicity, purpose, and service. From building a foundation that brings solar energy to communities in need to choosing joy over ego-driven success, Alex embodies a life guided by intention rather than external validation.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to Build Calm by Facing Fear

How to Train Your Mind Before You Act

How to Stay Focused When the Stakes Are High

How to Normalize Fear Instead of Fighting It

How to Use Visualization for Peak Performance

How to Know Your Limits Without Losing Ambition

How to Build Mastery Through Consistent Practice

You don’t need to chase danger or push yourself to the edge to grow. Growth happens when you prepare with intention, focus on what’s in front of you, and stop letting imagined outcomes hold you back.

Watch Alex Honnold free-solo the 101-story Skyscraper, Taipei 101 live on Netflix on January 23rd.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. 

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast 

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:27 The Deeper Reason Behind Climbing the Tallest Building

04:11 Choosing an Unconventional Path

06:58 Why Consistent Practice Changes Everything

09:28 What It Really Takes to Become Great

11:51 Lessons From Getting Lost

13:41 Why Fear Loses Its Power Over Time

17:00 Understanding Fear as a Physical Sensation

20:42 The Discipline of Staying Within Your Limits

22:41 What Extended Meditation Teaches You

25:55 Preparing the Mind and Body for a Big Challenge

28:51 How High Performers Actually Train

33:03 Being Intentional About the Risks You Take

34:42 Why Visualization Is a Performance Tool

38:36 Imagining the Process, Not Just the Outcome

42:32 Nature vs. Nurture: What Shapes Us Early in Life

45:58 Perfectionism, Pressure, and Letting Go

47:21 Daily Habits That Support Peak Performance

50:54 Bringing an Adventurous Mindset Into Everyday Life

53:48 Handling the Pressure Before a Defining Moment

56:49 The Climb That Redefined Human Potential

58:54 What Truly Matters When Choosing a Life Partner

01:03:31 Spotlighting People Protecting the Planet

01:03:31 What They're Doing at Planet Visionaries

01:06:07 A Letter for Alex

01:14:10 Alex on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Website | https://www.alexhonnold.com/ 

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/alexhonnold 

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/AlexHonnold/ 

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwqnNQOiZzpPNazMN0cBAzw 

Planet Visionaries | https://podcasts.apple.com/kg/podcast/planet-visionaries-season-5/id1572495128 

Honnold Foundation | https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/ 

Alex Honnold doesn&rsquo;t climb to feel alive, he climbs because, in those moments, life finally feels simple.
Today, Jay sits down with world-renowned climber Alex Honnold to explore what truly lies behind fear, focus, and extraordinary achievement. Alex shares how his relationship with fear has been shaped not by a lack of it, but by years of consistent exposure, revealing that courage isn&rsquo;t about being fearless, but about learning how to listen, respond, and stay present.
Jay and Alex dive into the discipline behind seemingly impossible feats: visualization, preparation, and intentional living. Alex opens up about how he mentally rehearses climbs in vivid detail, not by imagining success alone, but by walking through every sensation, risk, and possibility. This process, he explains, allows him to stay calm and grounded when it matters most. Jay draws parallels to meditation, public speaking, and everyday challenges, showing how the same principles of visualization, presence, and focus can help anyone face intimidating moments with clarity and confidence.
Beyond climbing, Alex shows his other self, a husband, father, and friend who values simplicity, purpose, and service. From building a foundation that brings solar energy to communities in need to choosing joy over ego-driven success, Alex embodies a life guided by intention rather than external validation.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to Build Calm by Facing Fear
How to Train Your Mind Before You Act
How to Stay Focused When the Stakes Are High
How to Normalize Fear Instead of Fighting It
How to Use Visualization for Peak Performance
How to Know Your Limits Without Losing Ambition
How to Build Mastery Through Consistent Practice
You don&rsquo;t need to chase danger or push yourself to the edge to grow. Growth happens when you prepare with intention, focus on what&rsquo;s in front of you, and stop letting imagined outcomes hold you back.
Watch Alex Honnold free-solo the 101-story Skyscraper, Taipei 101 live on Netflix on January 23rd.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe <a href="https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe">here</a>.&nbsp;
Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! <a href="https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast">https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast</a>&nbsp;
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
01:27 The Deeper Reason Behind Climbing the Tallest Building
04:11 Choosing an Unconventional Path
06:58 Why Consistent Practice Changes Everything
09:28 What It Really Takes to Become Great
11:51 Lessons From Getting Lost
13:41 Why Fear Loses Its Power Over Time
17:00 Understanding Fear as a Physical Sensation
20:42 The Discipline of Staying Within Your Limits
22:41 What Extended Meditation Teaches You
25:55 Preparing the Mind and Body for a Big Challenge
28:51 How High Performers Actually Train
33:03 Being Intentional About the Risks You Take
34:42 Why Visualization Is a Performance Tool
38:36 Imagining the Process, Not Just the Outcome
42:32 Nature vs. Nurture: What Shapes Us Early in Life
45:58 Perfectionism, Pressure, and Letting Go
47:21 Daily Habits That Support Peak Performance
50:54 Bringing an Adventurous Mindset Into Everyday Life
53:48 Handling the Pressure Before a Defining Moment
56:49 The Climb That Redefined Human Potential
58:54 What Truly Matters When Choosing a Life Partner
01:03:31 Spotlighting People Protecting the Planet
01:03:31 What They're Doing at Planet Visionaries
01:06:07 A Letter for Alex
01:14:10 Alex on Final Five
Episode Resources:
Website | <a href="https://www.alexhonnold.com/">https://www.alexhonnold.com/</a>&nbsp;
Instagram | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alexhonnold">https://www.instagram.com/alexhonnold</a>&nbsp;
Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlexHonnold/">https://www.facebook.com/AlexHonnold/</a>&nbsp;
YouTube | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwqnNQOiZzpPNazMN0cBAzw">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwqnNQOiZzpPNazMN0cBAzw</a>&nbsp;
Planet Visionaries | <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/kg/podcast/planet-visionaries-season-5/id1572495128">https://podcasts.apple.com/kg/podcast/planet-visionaries-season-5/id1572495128</a>&nbsp;
Honnold Foundation | <a href="https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/">https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/</a>&nbsp;

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace.

I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace.
I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

My name is Jay Shetty, and my purpose is to make wisdom go viral. I’m fortunate to have fascinating conversations with the most insightful people in the world, and on my podcast, I’m sharing those conversations with you. New episodes Mondays and Fridays. Please rate and review the podcast if you enjoy it. Live life today ON PURPOSE.

My name is Jay Shetty, and my purpose is to make wisdom go viral. I’m fortunate to have fascinating conversations with the most insightful people in the world, and on my podcast, I’m sharing those conversations with you. New episodes Mondays and Fridays. Please rate and review the podcast if you enjoy it. Live life today ON PURPOSE.

ALEX HONNOLD: ONE Interview Before Free-Soloing Taiwan’s Tallest Building LIVE (This Episode Will Change Your Relationship with FEAR)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0f7380c4-7ab6-4a82-9072-b3cb006836d8/transcript

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