Alex Honnold Professions : Rock Climber Born : August 17, 1985 Browse All Authors Top 29 quotes by Alex Honnold I was 19 when my father died from a heart attack. He was a 55-year-old college professor and had led what was by all appearances a risk-free life. But he was overweight, and heart disease runs in our family. Alex Honnold family heart life father I'm not nostalgic for my glory days in college. It was lame for me. Probably because I had no friends. Alex Honnold me no-friends friends college I generally don't climb something if it makes me feel fear. The beauty of soloing is that there's no pressure - no one's telling me to do it. So if something seems scary, I don't have any obligation to do it. I can prepare further or just walk away entirely. Alex Honnold walk me fear beauty I live out of my van, which gives me a first-hand appreciation for power and lighting. A few years ago, I rebuilt the interior of my van to include solar panels and a battery that powers LEDs for lighting and allows me to charge my phone and laptop. Alex Honnold phone me power appreciation Pretty much every gym I go into, I feel very comfortable. I dump my stuff, take my shoes off, do my thing. Alex Honnold feel go gym shoes The simple facts of Chadian life - what it takes to survive in that kind of climate with nothing but a hut and some animals - stunned me. And this made me realize, perhaps for the first time, how easy my life was compared to those of people in less privileged societies. Alex Honnold me simple time life Free soloing is almost as old as climbing itself, with roots in the 19th century. Climbers are continuing to push the boundaries. There are certainly better technical climbers than me. But if I have a particular gift, it's a mental one - the ability to keep it together where others might freak out. Alex Honnold gift better me together I know that when I'm standing alone below a thousand-foot wall, looking up and considering a climb, my sponsors are the furthest thing from my mind. If I'm going to take risks, they are going to be for myself - not for any company. Alex Honnold alone looking myself mind I love red bell peppers. Bell peppers in general, really. I like to eat them like apples. They're so crunchy and delicious. Alex Honnold eat like red love Similar Authors Conrad Anker rock-climber Chris Sharma rock-climber Lynn Hill rock-climber Leo Houlding rock-climber John Salathe rock-climber Ron Kauk rock-climber All Authors