Alex Honnold reflects on the message behind his historic free solo climb of Taipei 101

Alex Honnold has spoken about the deeper meaning behind his unprecedented free solo climb of Taipei 101, saying the experience was about more than just setting a new record. The American climber scaled the 101-story skyscraper live, without ropes or safety equipment, marking the tallest urban free solo climb ever completed and capturing the attention of viewers around the world.

Reflecting on the moment, Honnold said he doesn’t believe there is a single takeaway for everyone watching. “I don’t know what people are supposed to take from it,” he explained, adding that audiences often interpret his climbs in personal ways. “Some people see it as motivation, some as entertainment, and some as completely crazy — and that’s all okay.”

Honnold pointed out that reactions to his achievements have always varied, particularly since the release of the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo. “What’s been interesting is hearing how different people apply it to their own lives,” he said. “For some, it’s about pushing themselves professionally, for others it’s about relationships or trying something new they’ve been afraid of.”

While the climb involved extreme risk, Honnold stressed that he never intends to encourage others to put themselves in danger. “I’m not saying everyone should go out and do something reckless,” he said. “For me, this is something I’ve trained for my entire life. The message is really about preparation, focus and doing something you genuinely care about.”

By taking on Taipei 101 in a live broadcast, Honnold said he hoped the spectacle could spark inspiration beyond climbing. “If people watch and think about what excites them or what challenge they’ve been putting off, that’s the best outcome,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s about engaging with life in a meaningful way.”