Studying Alex Honnold’s legendary free solo climb is like getting a masterclass in spatial learning and laser-focused living—minus the heart-stopping risks. Here’s what his story teaches us:

Your Mind is Your Best Gear: Honnold climbed El Capitan without ropes, relying entirely on his ability to read the rock, memorize its features, and move with precision. Spatial learning—the ability to understand and navigate your environment—was his superpower. Translating this to everyday life? Whether it’s parallel parking, navigating a crowded subway, or finding your keys, sharpening your spatial awareness can save time, energy, and frustration (and maybe your life, in extreme cases).

Rehearse Until It’s Reflex: Before his climb, Honnold practiced relentlessly, memorizing every hold, movement, and transition. He didn’t just wing it on the rock face. The takeaway? Mastery requires preparation. Whether you’re giving a presentation or attempting a new skill, repetition builds mental maps, turning the complex into muscle memory. And let’s be real—unlike Honnold, if you slip up, you likely won’t be dangling 3,000 feet in the air.

Focus is a Muscle You Train: Honnold’s ability to stay calm under pressure is a testament to focused training. When distractions and doubts could have been fatal, he stayed in the moment. For us, mastering focus means training ourselves to single-task. Start with five minutes a day of undistracted work or mindfulness. It might not feel death-defying, but the rewards—like better productivity and less stress—are worth it.

Stay Present, But Plan Ahead: Every move Honnold made was about the here and now, but it was also calculated for what came next. The genius of focus is knowing when to zoom in and when to zoom out. In life, this might look like prioritizing your tasks today while keeping your long-term goals in sight.

Fear is a Friend, Not a Foe: Honnold isn’t fearless; he’s deliberate. He channels fear into focus and preparation. Instead of avoiding what scares you, lean into it with curiosity and preparation. Fear keeps us sharp—it’s only paralyzing when we don’t address it.

Sure, most of us aren’t scaling cliffs in Yosemite, but we all have our “free solo moments”—whether it’s acing a presentation, trying something new, or finding the courage to let go of what’s safe. And the next time you’re tempted to zone out on autopilot, remember: even Alex Honnold had to learn not to “space out” in the ultimate game of spatial learning.