“Surprisingly scary”
The researchers used a control subject, a thrill-seeking male rock climber whose amygdala lit up during the stimulating scanner tasks as well as the monetary reward task. Meanwhile, Honnold’s amygdala remained gray and silent. Despite this, Honnold rejected the idea of being fearless, according to Nautilus. He even called his free solo climb across the harrowing Thank God Ledge as “surprisingly scary”.