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Brain Waves: Does Alex Honnold Really Not Feel Fear?

Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar, Neurogeneticist | Daren Despois, Counselling Psychologist

10-Feb-26 16:00

Brain Waves: Does Alex Honnold Really Not Feel Fear?

On the 25th of January this year, American climber Alex Honnold became the first person to complete a free solo ascent of Taipei 101. That meant that he climbed the 508 metre building with no safety gear - no ropes or harnesses. This wasn’t his first time doing such a thing either, as he rose to fame when he free climbed the El Capitan wall at Yosemite in the United States, which stood at 914 metres high. So one can’t help but wonder: does he feel no fear? We speak to neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar and counselling psychologist Daren Despois.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Lim Sue Ann

Presented by: Lim Sue Ann


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Categories:  medical advances,  wellness,  sports

Tags:  risk-taking,  high sensation seeker,  free solo,  free climb,  the bigger picture,  health & living,  brainwavesonbfm,  fear,  climbing,  amygdala, 


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