The Rich Roll Podcast RRP LIVE: Alex Honnold On Climbing the Taipei 101 Skyscraper
165 snips
Feb 9, 2026 
Alex Honnold, world-class free solo climber known from Free Solo, talks about his live climb of Taipei 101, training at 40, managing risk as a father, and turning pressure into joy. Adam Skolnick, journalist and on-the-ground reporter, shares behind-the-scenes color from Taipei and viral footage origins. They cover weather, prep, production logistics, tactile differences on the building, and how performance met planning.
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Climb First, Celebrate Later
- Alex missed most of the live Netflix event because he went climbing and then went home to his crying young daughters.
- He described the climb as a great experience and tried to return to normal family life immediately afterward.
Conditions Define Execution
- Unexpected conditions (soot, grease, rain) can turn a manageable project into a stressor that needs contingency work.
- Cleaning, timing, and production support transformed a tense rehearsal into an enjoyable, controlled climb.
Pace To Conserve Energy
- Pace deliberately: moving slowly when needed reduces fatigue and increases control during sustained technical efforts.
- Use restful positions to enjoy moments and reset focus between hard moves.
