This is very similar to how an experienced ultrarunner eventually does not get nervous before most races, and can calmly problem solve when things go wrong. Through much practice, lots of failures, and tons of varying experiences; they build a catalog in their brains of how to respond to “seemingly terrible” occurrences in the middle of races — even dealing with extreme discomfort
I have been running since June of 2020. But I am amazed by what Alex Honnold does, not because of the sheer tenacity to do these SOLO routes or now you can say sky scrapper as well. The more he keeps on doing this, the more I want to know what goes in his mind, how he formed his cognition over the period of years for more than 3 decades while practicing climbing. People from the outside view it as risk but for him it is his default. For people F1 drivers are at risk as well while driving those cars w/o much safety even though they have the latest tech and safety equipments installed. It is the same as a knife in toddler's hand is dangerous but it is safe if it handled with care by a teenager. Knife is the same but it is who handling that.
Alex shows that one can incorporate Carol Dweck's growth mindset in one's life and it can help in every facet of life. Not clinging to things or even fears. Fear is not reality. It is some what a construct of mind and we can move the needle of raising of alarm for sure in every walk of life but it can only be done when we firstly accept yeah the improvement can be done by putting in the work over the period of time.
Yep it is. Thanks for pointing out. I was in a rush so just directly copied without editing. The perils of getting this up while watching two toddlers :)
This is very similar to how an experienced ultrarunner eventually does not get nervous before most races, and can calmly problem solve when things go wrong. Through much practice, lots of failures, and tons of varying experiences; they build a catalog in their brains of how to respond to “seemingly terrible” occurrences in the middle of races — even dealing with extreme discomfort
This sounds like my mental training for my first 50-miler next month, The Grasslands Run, up near Ft. Worth.
I have been running since June of 2020. But I am amazed by what Alex Honnold does, not because of the sheer tenacity to do these SOLO routes or now you can say sky scrapper as well. The more he keeps on doing this, the more I want to know what goes in his mind, how he formed his cognition over the period of years for more than 3 decades while practicing climbing. People from the outside view it as risk but for him it is his default. For people F1 drivers are at risk as well while driving those cars w/o much safety even though they have the latest tech and safety equipments installed. It is the same as a knife in toddler's hand is dangerous but it is safe if it handled with care by a teenager. Knife is the same but it is who handling that.
Alex shows that one can incorporate Carol Dweck's growth mindset in one's life and it can help in every facet of life. Not clinging to things or even fears. Fear is not reality. It is some what a construct of mind and we can move the needle of raising of alarm for sure in every walk of life but it can only be done when we firstly accept yeah the improvement can be done by putting in the work over the period of time.
This is a great article Steve.
This reminds me of childbirth prep - gaining knowledge, confidence, and relaxation techniques to turn down the alarm.
(A minor thing: the reference to Cleather appears to be to a part of the book outside this excerpt.)
Yep it is. Thanks for pointing out. I was in a rush so just directly copied without editing. The perils of getting this up while watching two toddlers :)
I have a 4 month old and a 2 year old and most of my writing happens while some sort of background chaos is taking place. 😂
Oh ya. Ours are 2.5 and 1. So remember that phase well.
A further look! We share podcast recommendations each week -- curated by different people. And late last year, we got to share Alex's faves: https://newsletter.earbuds.audio/p/alex-honnolds-favorite-podcasts-2025