1
00:00:10,719 --> 00:00:12,721
Do you wanna try
Mum's bike,
2
00:00:12,804 --> 00:00:15,891
because it's got
better suspension?
3
00:00:16,642 --> 00:00:17,851
If she falls off or
something goes wrong,
4
00:00:17,976 --> 00:00:20,103
it's entirely my fault.
5
00:00:22,856 --> 00:00:25,108
When I see my
kids do crazy things and
6
00:00:25,192 --> 00:00:28,153
wild stunts and take risks,
and they're completely
7
00:00:28,237 --> 00:00:31,031
immersed in an experience,
I have a wonderful sense
8
00:00:31,156 --> 00:00:33,617
of pride and appreciation,
9
00:00:33,700 --> 00:00:35,285
and a huge
amount of jealousy.
10
00:00:35,369 --> 00:00:37,037
Mostly jealousy.
11
00:00:39,206 --> 00:00:40,749
I think the older
I've gotten and the more
12
00:00:40,832 --> 00:00:42,251
familiar things
have become,
13
00:00:42,376 --> 00:00:44,002
I've found myself
missing some of that sense
14
00:00:44,086 --> 00:00:46,463
of joy and play that
I had when I was a kid,
15
00:00:46,547 --> 00:00:47,548
and I'm yearning for that.
16
00:00:47,631 --> 00:00:50,759
I wanna experience
things the way my kids do.
17
00:00:51,551 --> 00:00:54,012
And I've discovered there's
meaningful health benefits
18
00:00:54,137 --> 00:00:56,306
from doing
exactly that.
19
00:00:56,390 --> 00:00:58,308
So I wanna learning
the secrets from people
20
00:00:58,392 --> 00:01:01,186
who have never lost that
childlike approach to life.
21
00:01:03,689 --> 00:01:05,941
Extreme athletes.
22
00:01:06,275 --> 00:01:08,694
The incredible free
climbers I admire,
23
00:01:08,819 --> 00:01:10,571
the top stuntmen I work with,
24
00:01:10,696 --> 00:01:14,074
and my daredevil mates
like Robbie Maddison.
25
00:01:25,043 --> 00:01:26,461
Yes, Robbie!
26
00:01:26,545 --> 00:01:30,382
So, Robbie is a hero of
mine and a hero to my kids.
27
00:01:35,512 --> 00:01:37,598
He's done probably
the most amount of extreme,
28
00:01:37,723 --> 00:01:39,641
impressive stunts.
29
00:01:41,977 --> 00:01:44,396
More than
anyone on the planet,
30
00:01:44,730 --> 00:01:47,566
and he seems to have
such a blast doing it.
31
00:01:48,900 --> 00:01:50,444
Woo!
32
00:01:50,569 --> 00:01:51,778
How was that stunt team?
33
00:01:51,903 --> 00:01:55,407
- That was so good!
- Yeah. That was sick.
34
00:02:04,416 --> 00:02:06,543
I miss this level of like,
fearlessness, you know?
35
00:02:06,668 --> 00:02:08,920
You watch the way
kids approach things,
36
00:02:09,087 --> 00:02:11,840
and it's a kind of
complete disregard for,
37
00:02:12,174 --> 00:02:14,760
for safety and, but they
seem to figure it out.
38
00:02:17,554 --> 00:02:19,473
There's a resilience
that's built there.
39
00:02:19,556 --> 00:02:20,724
Something very
freeing, you know,
40
00:02:20,807 --> 00:02:22,351
and the more
we have comfort,
41
00:02:22,434 --> 00:02:25,228
the less we put ourselves
in situations that might be
42
00:02:25,312 --> 00:02:26,438
slightly intimidating.
43
00:02:26,521 --> 00:02:27,981
You can begin to
kind of shut down,
44
00:02:28,106 --> 00:02:29,441
you know, you just
do less and less.
45
00:02:29,566 --> 00:02:31,735
I mean, what do you
do to get that again?
46
00:02:31,818 --> 00:02:32,903
I'm looking.
47
00:02:32,986 --> 00:02:34,446
I'm on the hunt for
something new, for a,
48
00:02:34,571 --> 00:02:35,739
for a new experience.
49
00:02:35,822 --> 00:02:38,116
I think the best
way to experience,
50
00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:40,160
I think what our kids
are experiencing right now
51
00:02:40,285 --> 00:02:42,120
is to step out of
the comfort zone of what
52
00:02:42,245 --> 00:02:44,748
you're used to and just
try something totally new.
53
00:02:46,750 --> 00:02:48,960
But there has to be an
element of risk there.
54
00:02:49,169 --> 00:02:51,505
So I'll do something
intense, something new.
55
00:02:53,298 --> 00:02:56,635
Something I haven't
been exposed to before.
56
00:02:56,718 --> 00:02:58,845
100%.
57
00:02:58,970 --> 00:03:02,265
.
58
00:03:17,739 --> 00:03:20,367
On my mission to
recapture the thrill my
59
00:03:20,450 --> 00:03:23,078
daring kids get from
pushing their limits,
60
00:03:23,161 --> 00:03:24,830
I need to take on
something that challenges
61
00:03:24,913 --> 00:03:27,666
both my mind and my body.
62
00:03:28,375 --> 00:03:31,128
It needs to be something
new and unfamiliar.
63
00:03:31,837 --> 00:03:34,047
And it needs to be
risky enough to force me
64
00:03:34,172 --> 00:03:36,591
well outside
my comfort zone.
65
00:03:39,344 --> 00:03:41,304
After hunting
around for a few months,
66
00:03:41,388 --> 00:03:42,931
I found this dam wall.
67
00:03:43,014 --> 00:03:45,016
It's about
200 meters high.
68
00:03:45,142 --> 00:03:46,309
It's in Switzerland,
69
00:03:46,393 --> 00:03:48,437
and it looks
incredibly challenging,
70
00:03:48,562 --> 00:03:51,189
and I'm gonna attempt
to climb it on my own,
71
00:03:51,273 --> 00:03:52,816
in the middle of winter.
72
00:03:55,110 --> 00:03:56,403
I'm not built
like a climber,
73
00:03:56,528 --> 00:04:00,073
I haven't had a whole lot
of experience rock climbing.
74
00:04:01,032 --> 00:04:02,576
I don't necessarily
love heights or the
75
00:04:02,659 --> 00:04:05,120
likelihood of failure.
76
00:04:06,872 --> 00:04:10,500
So, this definitely
feels like a new adventure.
77
00:04:20,969 --> 00:04:23,388
This isn't just
about the dare.
78
00:04:23,472 --> 00:04:25,265
Now there's emerging
science about the rewards
79
00:04:25,390 --> 00:04:28,810
we get when we take on
challenges we'd rather avoid.
80
00:04:29,478 --> 00:04:31,563
So, I'm working with
leading neuroscientist,
81
00:04:31,688 --> 00:04:33,648
Professor Abigail Marsh.
82
00:04:35,025 --> 00:04:36,401
So, how you feeling
about the climb?
83
00:04:36,485 --> 00:04:38,069
There's a lot
of unknowns.
84
00:04:38,195 --> 00:04:41,156
You know, I think the
highest wall that I've
85
00:04:41,239 --> 00:04:43,700
rock climbed is
probably 50 meters,
86
00:04:43,784 --> 00:04:44,910
and that felt really high.
87
00:04:44,993 --> 00:04:46,286
This is, this is
a lot different,
88
00:04:46,411 --> 00:04:48,622
and the conditions are
dramatically different to that.
89
00:04:48,747 --> 00:04:51,082
Well, tell me, why is it
that you wanna do this?
90
00:04:51,166 --> 00:04:53,126
You know, I, I watch my
kids and the ability to
91
00:04:53,251 --> 00:04:54,836
just sort of immerse
themselves in that one thing.
92
00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:56,004
Yeah.
93
00:04:56,087 --> 00:04:57,172
Whether it be
surfing or fishing,
94
00:04:57,255 --> 00:04:58,423
or fighting with
each other, you know,
95
00:04:58,507 --> 00:05:00,550
the complete kind of like,
that moment is the only
96
00:05:00,634 --> 00:05:01,760
thing that exists.
97
00:05:01,885 --> 00:05:03,637
I think the older
I've gotten,
98
00:05:03,762 --> 00:05:06,932
I've found myself in
less situations that have
99
00:05:07,015 --> 00:05:08,767
brought me that feeling.
100
00:05:08,850 --> 00:05:10,644
I think a lot of adults,
when they're watching kids
101
00:05:10,727 --> 00:05:14,648
playing and enjoying life,
feel a little envious about
102
00:05:14,773 --> 00:05:18,652
their sense of excitement
and curiosity and joy,
103
00:05:18,777 --> 00:05:21,238
of doing all these
new and exciting things,
104
00:05:21,321 --> 00:05:23,782
and um I think
a lot of us wish that
105
00:05:23,865 --> 00:05:25,200
we could recapture that.
106
00:05:25,283 --> 00:05:27,202
Why is it the
older we get,
107
00:05:27,285 --> 00:05:29,621
we tend to avoid
those type of activities?
108
00:05:29,746 --> 00:05:31,164
So like, novel,
difficult situations...
109
00:05:31,248 --> 00:05:31,998
Yeah.
110
00:05:32,082 --> 00:05:33,834
Can be framed two
different ways, right?
111
00:05:33,917 --> 00:05:35,085
They can be framed
as a threat, right,
112
00:05:35,168 --> 00:05:36,628
an opportunity
for failure,
113
00:05:36,753 --> 00:05:38,129
and I think that's
easier the older we get,
114
00:05:38,547 --> 00:05:39,881
but the way that
kids think...
115
00:05:40,006 --> 00:05:40,966
- Yeah.
- Is it's a challenge.
116
00:05:41,091 --> 00:05:42,092
It's like I haven't
done this before...
117
00:05:42,175 --> 00:05:43,176
- Yeah.
- Let's see what I can do.
118
00:05:43,260 --> 00:05:44,261
Yeah.
119
00:05:44,344 --> 00:05:45,595
I think that is what is
involved in the transition
120
00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:46,721
from childhood
to adulthood,
121
00:05:46,805 --> 00:05:47,806
increasing what
you're capable of.
122
00:05:47,931 --> 00:05:48,932
Right.
123
00:05:49,015 --> 00:05:50,016
And how you're able
to be independent.
124
00:05:50,100 --> 00:05:51,309
So, kids' brains are
pushing them to do that.
125
00:05:51,434 --> 00:05:52,936
Yeah, absolutely.
126
00:05:53,019 --> 00:05:56,731
Kids are motivated to
seek out new risks and
127
00:05:56,982 --> 00:05:58,483
challenges because
their brains are more
128
00:05:58,692 --> 00:06:00,527
sensitive to dopamine,
which is a chemical that
129
00:06:00,610 --> 00:06:03,029
motivates us
to try novel,
130
00:06:03,154 --> 00:06:04,698
exciting, and
even risky things.
131
00:06:06,032 --> 00:06:07,742
Look inside a
kid's brain and you'll
132
00:06:07,868 --> 00:06:10,871
see a dopamine
system in overdrive,
133
00:06:11,204 --> 00:06:14,291
sparking curiosity
and a drive to explore.
134
00:06:15,458 --> 00:06:18,420
But as we age, that
dopamine sensitivity
135
00:06:18,545 --> 00:06:20,755
{\an8}drops by about
10% per decade.
136
00:06:22,382 --> 00:06:25,343
{\an8}The exception seems to
be the extreme athletes who
137
00:06:25,427 --> 00:06:27,637
enjoy high-risk
activities.
138
00:06:27,888 --> 00:06:29,681
Research suggests
they have a more active
139
00:06:29,931 --> 00:06:32,976
dopamine system
compared to other adults.
140
00:06:33,685 --> 00:06:35,770
The good news
for the rest of us,
141
00:06:35,896 --> 00:06:39,774
tackling tough challenges can
spark that dopamine response,
142
00:06:39,900 --> 00:06:43,403
bringing back the
thrill we felt as kids,
143
00:06:43,486 --> 00:06:45,614
which can boost our
psychological health
144
00:06:45,739 --> 00:06:47,198
and wellbeing.
145
00:06:47,365 --> 00:06:50,160
Greater wellbeing is
associated with a reduced
146
00:06:50,327 --> 00:06:52,787
risk of chronic disease,
better immune functioning,
147
00:06:52,912 --> 00:06:55,498
and even longer lifespan,
with one study suggesting
148
00:06:55,624 --> 00:06:57,500
that increased
wellbeing may increase
149
00:06:57,626 --> 00:06:59,753
lifespan by
up to 10 years.
150
00:07:00,879 --> 00:07:02,631
So, what if one
of the secrets to living
151
00:07:02,756 --> 00:07:05,759
better now is
acting younger?
152
00:07:05,842 --> 00:07:08,470
And the key to
acting younger is daring
153
00:07:08,595 --> 00:07:11,056
to push ourselves
beyond our limits.
154
00:07:12,265 --> 00:07:13,767
I feel like I
underestimated this one.
155
00:07:13,850 --> 00:07:15,226
I'm glad it's
you and not me.
156
00:07:15,310 --> 00:07:16,645
If I'm looking
at it, I'm like,
157
00:07:16,770 --> 00:07:18,063
"I don't know if I,
I could do that."
158
00:07:18,146 --> 00:07:19,522
Oh, I'm sure
you'd figure it out.
159
00:07:19,648 --> 00:07:21,066
Abi's not the only
person I've enlisted
160
00:07:21,149 --> 00:07:22,442
for this challenge.
161
00:07:22,525 --> 00:07:24,694
Seeing as Robbie is
such an inspiration to me,
162
00:07:24,778 --> 00:07:26,655
I've roped him
along for guidance,
163
00:07:26,780 --> 00:07:28,740
and for technical
and safety advice,
164
00:07:28,823 --> 00:07:31,159
I've got Percy Bishton,
one of the world's leading
165
00:07:31,284 --> 00:07:32,827
wall climbers.
166
00:07:32,911 --> 00:07:36,164
So, this climb's
the longest artificial
167
00:07:36,289 --> 00:07:37,832
climb in the world.
168
00:07:37,916 --> 00:07:38,917
Good.
169
00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:40,460
So yeah, it takes between
two and four hours for
170
00:07:40,543 --> 00:07:43,463
a competent pair of
climbers to do this.
171
00:07:43,588 --> 00:07:44,923
That's in the summer.
172
00:07:45,006 --> 00:07:46,299
Obviously, it's February.
173
00:07:46,424 --> 00:07:47,842
We're in the
Swiss Alps,
174
00:07:47,926 --> 00:07:48,968
and it's cold.
175
00:07:49,094 --> 00:07:50,095
There's snow and ice.
176
00:07:50,178 --> 00:07:51,179
Yeah.
177
00:07:51,262 --> 00:07:52,639
And so you need to
be able to keep moving.
178
00:07:52,722 --> 00:07:53,973
Yeah.
179
00:07:54,057 --> 00:07:55,475
The other thing which
is unique for you is that
180
00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:56,643
you're not climbing
with anyone.
181
00:07:56,768 --> 00:07:58,061
You're gonna
climb on your own.
182
00:07:58,144 --> 00:07:59,312
How do you feel about it?
183
00:07:59,437 --> 00:08:02,649
I'm well aware of, um,
the difficulties of it,
184
00:08:02,732 --> 00:08:04,943
uh, well aware
that the, you know,
185
00:08:05,026 --> 00:08:06,820
the height and the
fear may come into,
186
00:08:06,903 --> 00:08:08,822
into this scenario.
187
00:08:08,905 --> 00:08:10,448
I think the challenge
is gonna be...
188
00:08:10,532 --> 00:08:13,076
Getting on
top of your fear.
189
00:08:13,159 --> 00:08:14,369
Yeah.
190
00:08:14,494 --> 00:08:15,537
And, and
the fact that it's
191
00:08:15,662 --> 00:08:17,122
a very intimidating
environment.
192
00:08:17,205 --> 00:08:18,206
Shall we, uh?
193
00:08:18,289 --> 00:08:19,290
Oh wow!
194
00:08:19,374 --> 00:08:20,375
Check it out,
see how, see how,
195
00:08:20,458 --> 00:08:21,668
see how long it's
gonna take to land.
196
00:08:21,751 --> 00:08:22,752
Urgh!
197
00:08:22,836 --> 00:08:24,921
I don't know why
it makes me feel sick!
198
00:08:30,385 --> 00:08:32,554
Here it comes.
199
00:08:34,305 --> 00:08:35,598
Wow.
200
00:08:35,682 --> 00:08:36,975
Oh, yeah, can I
wear a parachute?
201
00:08:37,100 --> 00:08:39,602
No, go on, grab
yourself a block.
202
00:08:39,978 --> 00:08:42,188
Bombs away.
203
00:08:42,355 --> 00:08:44,149
Hurgh!
204
00:08:44,315 --> 00:08:45,525
Oh!
205
00:08:46,985 --> 00:08:48,236
That feels weird.
206
00:08:48,319 --> 00:08:49,320
A lot of things are going
through my head at this point.
207
00:08:49,404 --> 00:08:51,156
There's a huge
amount of discomfort.
208
00:08:51,281 --> 00:08:53,241
It, it's the first time
I'm feeling some fear,
209
00:08:53,324 --> 00:08:55,410
I suppose.
210
00:08:55,618 --> 00:08:56,870
Oh, the explosion.
211
00:08:56,953 --> 00:08:59,205
Uh, I know that the
longer I stand here and
212
00:08:59,289 --> 00:09:02,208
look at this and consider
all the ways of how it
213
00:09:02,292 --> 00:09:04,878
can go wrong,
I'm gonna, you know,
214
00:09:04,961 --> 00:09:06,254
talk myself out of it.
215
00:09:06,337 --> 00:09:07,589
I'm thinking
about it too much.
216
00:09:07,672 --> 00:09:09,049
Let's just get going.
217
00:09:09,466 --> 00:09:11,259
On one level,
of course,
218
00:09:11,593 --> 00:09:13,303
climbing with appropriate
safety equipment and
219
00:09:13,386 --> 00:09:16,347
procedures is not
actually dangerous,
220
00:09:16,556 --> 00:09:19,309
but I don't think it's
remotely plausible that
221
00:09:19,642 --> 00:09:22,395
anybody wouldn't feel
terrified in a situation
222
00:09:22,812 --> 00:09:25,690
on a wall that
steep and that vertical.
223
00:09:30,070 --> 00:09:31,905
But if we wanna
reap the health benefits
224
00:09:31,988 --> 00:09:34,157
of trying something
new and challenging,
225
00:09:34,282 --> 00:09:37,118
we can't let anxiety
or fear get in the way.
226
00:09:39,788 --> 00:09:42,082
{\an8}So, I've enlisted the
help of my long-time
227
00:09:42,207 --> 00:09:44,876
{\an8}stunt double and good mate,
Bobby Hanton.
228
00:09:48,588 --> 00:09:50,215
Show off.
229
00:09:50,298 --> 00:09:53,301
Bobby is an ex-gymnast,
uh, and ex-diver,
230
00:09:53,426 --> 00:09:56,429
and now is one of the
best stuntmen in the world.
231
00:09:57,097 --> 00:10:00,266
Bobby has taught me to do some
really crazy stunts in movies,
232
00:10:00,809 --> 00:10:03,645
but the really,
really crazy stuff...
233
00:10:04,104 --> 00:10:06,356
I let Bobby take over.
234
00:10:06,439 --> 00:10:08,817
And when Bobby's confronted
with a crazy stunt,
235
00:10:08,942 --> 00:10:11,402
he's like a big kid.
236
00:10:11,569 --> 00:10:13,613
Nice one, Bobby!
237
00:10:13,738 --> 00:10:14,823
What are we doing here?
238
00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:15,990
I got my mask and
snorkel, and my flippers,
239
00:10:16,116 --> 00:10:17,367
and my floaties.
240
00:10:17,492 --> 00:10:19,452
- You don't need any of that.
- Don't need any of that, no?
241
00:10:19,577 --> 00:10:22,789
The purpose of today
is some rock climbing
242
00:10:22,914 --> 00:10:26,084
training and some
exposure to heights.
243
00:10:26,334 --> 00:10:27,836
To start with, Bobby
takes me up to the
244
00:10:27,961 --> 00:10:30,880
very top board at
10 meters, or 30 feet,
245
00:10:30,964 --> 00:10:32,215
to gauge my reaction.
246
00:10:36,678 --> 00:10:38,805
I wouldn't say
I'm scared of heights,
247
00:10:38,930 --> 00:10:40,431
but I wouldn't say
I love them either.
248
00:10:40,515 --> 00:10:42,267
But interesting enough,
you know, when I was a kid,
249
00:10:42,350 --> 00:10:44,978
I would do somersaults
off that thing.
250
00:10:45,103 --> 00:10:46,563
Urgh!
251
00:10:46,646 --> 00:10:48,481
In adults' brains,
there's a fully developed
252
00:10:48,606 --> 00:10:51,276
region called the
prefrontal cortex,
253
00:10:51,359 --> 00:10:53,736
and that is the part of
the brain that is engaged in
254
00:10:53,820 --> 00:10:56,030
worrying about consequences.
255
00:10:56,614 --> 00:10:58,158
But kids' brains are
built pretty differently
256
00:10:58,241 --> 00:11:00,118
than adult brains.
257
00:11:00,201 --> 00:11:02,370
Adolescents do a lot more
thrill-seeking behaviors
258
00:11:02,495 --> 00:11:05,081
than adults do because
their prefrontal cortex
259
00:11:05,165 --> 00:11:07,208
has not yet
fully developed.
260
00:11:09,752 --> 00:11:10,837
Come on, boy.
261
00:11:10,962 --> 00:11:12,046
Good.
262
00:11:12,172 --> 00:11:13,423
The nice thing is,
even adults can learn to
263
00:11:13,506 --> 00:11:18,178
regulate the activity in
those prefrontal regions
264
00:11:18,303 --> 00:11:20,180
to help them try to
recapture some of the
265
00:11:20,263 --> 00:11:21,347
fun that kids have.
266
00:11:21,472 --> 00:11:23,516
We good?
267
00:11:23,725 --> 00:11:25,143
Yeah, Bobby.
268
00:11:25,226 --> 00:11:27,228
Nice and tight to you.
269
00:11:28,438 --> 00:11:29,689
Looked like a
good entry to me.
270
00:11:29,772 --> 00:11:30,815
I didn't see a splash.
271
00:11:32,483 --> 00:11:33,568
So, I need to
work my way back up to
272
00:11:33,693 --> 00:11:36,571
the top board in stages.
273
00:11:44,871 --> 00:11:49,584
It's not by any means the
most crazy stunt thing to do.
274
00:11:50,210 --> 00:11:52,462
We've done, we've built
up from each platform now,
275
00:11:52,545 --> 00:11:54,547
and you're, the
repetition's there.
276
00:11:54,631 --> 00:11:56,049
You know exactly
what you're doing.
277
00:11:56,174 --> 00:11:58,718
Keep nice and tight,
arms tight, legs tight.
278
00:11:58,843 --> 00:12:00,887
I feel weird there.
279
00:12:01,012 --> 00:12:02,639
I'm just overthinking
it, you know,
280
00:12:02,722 --> 00:12:05,516
and I'm considering
all the bad scenarios and,
281
00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:09,729
and it's not even a
dangerous environment.
282
00:12:10,063 --> 00:12:11,898
The only way to
reduce your response is
283
00:12:12,232 --> 00:12:14,567
to actually be
in the situation,
284
00:12:14,692 --> 00:12:17,487
learn through experience
that you can handle it,
285
00:12:17,570 --> 00:12:19,364
that it actually
turned out okay,
286
00:12:19,447 --> 00:12:21,783
and that unlearning
will then carry forward
287
00:12:21,908 --> 00:12:24,869
the next time you're in
a similar risky situation.
288
00:12:34,170 --> 00:12:36,297
Then, once I've done
it, it was like, cool.
289
00:12:36,422 --> 00:12:38,800
I do get a real
thrill from it.
290
00:12:40,593 --> 00:12:42,428
But there's a world
of difference between
291
00:12:42,512 --> 00:12:44,597
a diving board...
292
00:12:45,807 --> 00:12:50,270
...And a nearly 200-meter,
540-foot wall.
293
00:12:52,605 --> 00:12:54,399
It doesn't
look that bad from here.
294
00:12:54,482 --> 00:12:55,775
It does, it does.
295
00:12:56,943 --> 00:12:58,278
It looks, it
tends to be flush on,
296
00:12:58,361 --> 00:12:59,362
but if you can
break it down,
297
00:12:59,445 --> 00:13:01,281
you can see a
five-pitch climb.
298
00:13:01,364 --> 00:13:02,532
Yeah.
299
00:13:02,615 --> 00:13:03,658
It's a lot
bigger than it looks.
300
00:13:03,783 --> 00:13:04,784
No, it looks
big, don't worry.
301
00:13:04,867 --> 00:13:06,619
I'm beginning to
dissect the problem and
302
00:13:06,703 --> 00:13:07,870
the challenge
and attempting to,
303
00:13:07,996 --> 00:13:09,956
to compute whether this
is even possible in any way,
304
00:13:10,039 --> 00:13:11,332
shape, or form.
305
00:13:11,791 --> 00:13:14,043
Ah, here you
go, you can see.
306
00:13:14,127 --> 00:13:15,628
If you look through,
mate, you'll probably see
307
00:13:15,753 --> 00:13:17,505
there's a metal grid,
so that's what the top of
308
00:13:17,630 --> 00:13:19,299
each pitch looks like.
309
00:13:19,382 --> 00:13:20,591
Yeah.
310
00:13:20,675 --> 00:13:21,801
So when you get to
the top of a pitch,
311
00:13:21,926 --> 00:13:23,303
normally there's
a good hold there,
312
00:13:23,386 --> 00:13:24,470
you can stand
on the ledge.
313
00:13:24,595 --> 00:13:26,139
You can just take
a minute to breathe.
314
00:13:27,390 --> 00:13:28,599
Yep.
315
00:13:28,683 --> 00:13:30,143
Get, get centered and then
start on the next pitch.
316
00:13:30,226 --> 00:13:32,437
Try and give your arms as
much of a breather as you can,
317
00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:33,980
'cause when you get to the top,
318
00:13:34,063 --> 00:13:35,064
you'll need them.
319
00:13:35,148 --> 00:13:36,149
Okay, cool.
320
00:13:36,232 --> 00:13:37,567
The first
two pitches,
321
00:13:37,650 --> 00:13:38,901
you can get
into the climbing.
322
00:13:38,985 --> 00:13:40,486
{\an8}What you'll find is that as
the sun comes onto the wall,
323
00:13:40,611 --> 00:13:42,071
{\an8}it's warmer
at the top.
324
00:13:42,155 --> 00:13:43,322
Yeah.
325
00:13:43,448 --> 00:13:44,532
And it just stays
cold at the bottom.
326
00:13:44,657 --> 00:13:46,284
{\an8}The cold air sits here,
and the holds are kind of,
327
00:13:46,367 --> 00:13:47,660
{\an8}they're super cold.
328
00:13:47,785 --> 00:13:49,746
{\an8}- It's incredibly cold,
like I'm actually looking
329
00:13:49,871 --> 00:13:51,706
at the dam and
I'm starting to shiver,
330
00:13:51,831 --> 00:13:52,915
you know, and
I'm thinking,
331
00:13:52,999 --> 00:13:55,501
how am I gonna spend an
hour or two on that wall?
332
00:13:55,626 --> 00:13:57,628
So, the bottom section,
that's your warm-up.
333
00:13:57,712 --> 00:13:59,964
The middle part is
more thinking about it.
334
00:14:00,048 --> 00:14:01,841
It's gonna be a bit
lonely in there.
335
00:14:01,924 --> 00:14:02,925
Yeah.
336
00:14:03,009 --> 00:14:04,343
You know, in the
middle of the wall,
337
00:14:04,469 --> 00:14:05,511
you're 80 meters
from the floor.
338
00:14:05,636 --> 00:14:06,679
Yeah.
339
00:14:06,804 --> 00:14:07,889
There's nothing
else around you.
340
00:14:07,972 --> 00:14:09,057
It's a special
environment.
341
00:14:09,140 --> 00:14:10,141
It's quite intimidating.
342
00:14:10,224 --> 00:14:12,351
I'm considering
how the vertigo and
343
00:14:12,435 --> 00:14:14,062
{\an8}the adrenaline,
the fear of heights,
344
00:14:14,145 --> 00:14:16,022
{\an8}is gonna come into play.
345
00:14:16,147 --> 00:14:17,899
{\an8}There's kind of
sensory overload.
346
00:14:18,024 --> 00:14:19,776
{\an8}And then
the last 80 meters.
347
00:14:19,859 --> 00:14:20,693
Move.
348
00:14:20,777 --> 00:14:21,778
That's where
it's overhanging.
349
00:14:21,861 --> 00:14:22,862
What we call
a crux section,
350
00:14:22,945 --> 00:14:24,489
the most difficult
part of the climb.
351
00:14:24,572 --> 00:14:26,282
That's when you're gun
it to the top 'cause
352
00:14:26,365 --> 00:14:27,825
you'll see the sky.
353
00:14:27,909 --> 00:14:28,910
Yeah.
354
00:14:28,993 --> 00:14:29,994
Everyone's waiting
for you at the top.
355
00:14:30,078 --> 00:14:31,204
And that's when it
gets harder, too, right?
356
00:14:31,329 --> 00:14:32,497
Yeah, because of
the shape of the dam,
357
00:14:32,580 --> 00:14:33,706
at the top,
it's overhanging.
358
00:14:33,790 --> 00:14:34,791
You wanna be, be moving
then 'cause you're just
359
00:14:34,874 --> 00:14:36,084
gonna do it in
one big push.
360
00:14:36,209 --> 00:14:37,251
Yeah.
361
00:14:37,376 --> 00:14:38,920
Which is not something
that anyone ever does.
362
00:14:39,003 --> 00:14:40,880
I'm worried about
the physical exhaustion,
363
00:14:41,005 --> 00:14:42,006
to be honest.
364
00:14:42,090 --> 00:14:43,341
I just know from
climbing myself how hard
365
00:14:43,424 --> 00:14:45,885
it is on your fingers,
on your arms.
366
00:14:45,968 --> 00:14:49,806
Once he gets past
midway, that's like,
367
00:14:49,889 --> 00:14:53,059
that's almost
inverted on itself.
368
00:14:53,392 --> 00:14:55,061
No one ever does
it like this,
369
00:14:55,186 --> 00:14:57,063
and no one ever does
it this time of year,
370
00:14:57,188 --> 00:14:58,397
so it's gonna be tough.
371
00:14:58,481 --> 00:15:00,399
A lot of respect
for you, mate.
372
00:15:00,525 --> 00:15:01,943
These kinds
of challenges aren't
373
00:15:02,026 --> 00:15:04,445
about proving we
can do something tough.
374
00:15:04,570 --> 00:15:06,405
They're about finding
something we seem to
375
00:15:06,531 --> 00:15:08,908
lose as we get older.
376
00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:12,745
A childlike belief that
anything is possible.
377
00:15:19,877 --> 00:15:22,588
To get a little
closer to that spirit,
378
00:15:22,672 --> 00:15:24,215
I've been training
with one of the greatest
379
00:15:24,298 --> 00:15:26,759
extreme athletes on earth.
380
00:15:28,386 --> 00:15:31,180
Steph Davis is a
legendary climber,
381
00:15:31,347 --> 00:15:33,599
base jumper,
and wingsuit flyer.
382
00:15:35,143 --> 00:15:37,186
She doesn't just
face the impossible;
383
00:15:37,603 --> 00:15:39,897
she goes looking for it.
384
00:15:40,606 --> 00:15:42,441
This is Cala Sa Nau.
385
00:15:42,525 --> 00:15:45,236
It's kinda like
the prime location for
386
00:15:45,319 --> 00:15:46,612
deep water soloing.
387
00:15:46,737 --> 00:15:47,822
What is deep
water soloing?
388
00:15:47,947 --> 00:15:50,908
Oksy, so you have
no rope, soloing.
389
00:15:50,992 --> 00:15:52,076
Yep.
390
00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:53,995
But instead of you fall,
you hit the ground,
391
00:15:54,078 --> 00:15:55,538
the end.
392
00:15:55,621 --> 00:15:56,831
You hit the water.
393
00:15:56,956 --> 00:15:59,250
You fall, you hit
the water, exactly.
394
00:15:59,333 --> 00:16:01,711
It's gonna be scary,
it's intense.
395
00:16:01,794 --> 00:16:04,088
There is some
risk associated,
396
00:16:04,172 --> 00:16:06,465
but you can train for it.
397
00:16:06,591 --> 00:16:08,968
You can have fun with it.
398
00:16:09,677 --> 00:16:12,972
When I started climbing,
it was a really big shift.
399
00:16:15,474 --> 00:16:16,642
I was in college.
400
00:16:16,767 --> 00:16:19,145
I got a Master's degree,
and then that was kind of
401
00:16:19,270 --> 00:16:22,732
a breakpoint where I
made the decision to say,
402
00:16:22,857 --> 00:16:25,902
"Okay, I'm stopping
the academic path."
403
00:16:25,985 --> 00:16:29,155
So I left and then
moved into my car and
404
00:16:29,238 --> 00:16:32,033
became a full-time climber.
405
00:16:34,619 --> 00:16:36,704
I think I was just
really drawn by curiosity
406
00:16:36,829 --> 00:16:39,165
and excitement of it.
407
00:16:40,082 --> 00:16:42,335
For me, the whole
world's a playground and
408
00:16:42,418 --> 00:16:44,670
I've never stopped playing.
409
00:16:44,754 --> 00:16:47,882
There's a mindset
that I have that seems to
410
00:16:48,007 --> 00:16:51,636
be different than
for many other people.
411
00:16:54,180 --> 00:16:56,307
What's different about
extreme athletes that is
412
00:16:56,390 --> 00:16:59,018
similar in adolescence
is that they have this very
413
00:16:59,143 --> 00:17:01,729
high dopamine activity,
and so they're really
414
00:17:01,854 --> 00:17:03,814
attuned to the rewards
from doing risky and
415
00:17:03,898 --> 00:17:06,525
challenging things,
and they're motivated to do
416
00:17:06,651 --> 00:17:08,527
them despite the risks,
not because they're not
417
00:17:08,653 --> 00:17:11,447
aware of the risks.
418
00:17:11,739 --> 00:17:14,158
The good news is that
being in that frame of mind,
419
00:17:14,242 --> 00:17:17,203
it's something that
we can all tap into.
420
00:17:19,121 --> 00:17:22,041
The plan with Chris is
to first teach him the route,
421
00:17:22,124 --> 00:17:23,125
with ropes.
422
00:17:23,209 --> 00:17:25,544
This is an opportunity
for him to go down and
423
00:17:25,670 --> 00:17:28,798
see the route he's
gonna have to climb.
424
00:17:28,923 --> 00:17:32,635
Then we take away
the safety gear.
425
00:17:35,137 --> 00:17:37,557
It's about helping
him climb with the same
426
00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:41,811
freedom and
flexibility that kids have.
427
00:17:43,187 --> 00:17:45,606
Because the thing that
gets in most people's way
428
00:17:45,731 --> 00:17:47,942
isn't their technique.
429
00:17:48,025 --> 00:17:50,778
It's the storm
inside their head.
430
00:17:55,491 --> 00:17:56,701
So, the reason
we're here...
431
00:17:56,784 --> 00:17:58,160
Yeah.
432
00:17:58,244 --> 00:17:59,370
Is for you to experience
the start of the route.
433
00:17:59,453 --> 00:18:00,663
Yeah.
434
00:18:00,746 --> 00:18:02,748
What you're gonna have
to do is actually climb off
435
00:18:02,832 --> 00:18:04,250
the boat onto the rock.
436
00:18:04,375 --> 00:18:05,418
Yeah, onto here, okay.
437
00:18:05,543 --> 00:18:07,420
If you look where your
rope is going right now.
438
00:18:07,503 --> 00:18:08,671
Yeah, that's it, eh?
439
00:18:08,754 --> 00:18:09,880
That's that huge rest.
440
00:18:09,964 --> 00:18:11,173
Yeah.
Right there.
441
00:18:11,257 --> 00:18:13,092
So you don't have far to go
before you can go hands-free.
442
00:18:13,175 --> 00:18:14,176
Okay.
443
00:18:14,260 --> 00:18:15,261
Just a few moves.
444
00:18:15,344 --> 00:18:16,345
Yeah, it's
slippery, innit?
445
00:18:16,429 --> 00:18:17,597
Ah!
446
00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:19,765
So slippery.
447
00:18:21,809 --> 00:18:23,394
It's intense, innit?
448
00:18:23,477 --> 00:18:25,855
Yeah!
449
00:18:25,980 --> 00:18:28,941
Climbing tests your
emotions as much as your body.
450
00:18:29,066 --> 00:18:30,610
The ones who
make it to the top
451
00:18:30,735 --> 00:18:32,278
aren't always the strongest.
452
00:18:32,403 --> 00:18:34,280
They're the ones who
can successfully flip the
453
00:18:34,405 --> 00:18:36,115
script in their head.
454
00:18:36,198 --> 00:18:38,618
Sometimes when
something's risky,
455
00:18:38,701 --> 00:18:39,785
I might just say,
456
00:18:39,910 --> 00:18:41,120
"Oh, that's complicated."
457
00:18:41,203 --> 00:18:43,205
If I wanna say
something's impossible,
458
00:18:43,289 --> 00:18:45,625
I might just say,
"I'm still working on that."
459
00:18:45,708 --> 00:18:47,293
Sometimes when I'm
scared, I just say,
460
00:18:47,418 --> 00:18:49,253
"That's exciting."
461
00:18:50,212 --> 00:18:52,465
It's not about
hiding your emotions,
462
00:18:52,590 --> 00:18:54,175
it's about turning
them into something
463
00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:55,468
that moves you forward.
464
00:18:55,593 --> 00:18:59,138
Some people find
that pride, frustration,
465
00:18:59,221 --> 00:19:01,766
even anger, can be
turned into the fuel
466
00:19:01,849 --> 00:19:03,225
that they need.
467
00:19:03,309 --> 00:19:04,310
This is the crux of the...
468
00:19:04,393 --> 00:19:05,603
Yeah.
469
00:19:05,686 --> 00:19:06,896
Climb, because you're
gonna be the most tired here.
470
00:19:07,021 --> 00:19:09,148
The, the hardest part's
when you're the most tired.
471
00:19:09,231 --> 00:19:10,816
Awesome.
472
00:19:19,325 --> 00:19:23,829
- Yeah, yeah!
- Yeah!
473
00:19:25,581 --> 00:19:27,083
Do you find that
each time you complete
474
00:19:27,166 --> 00:19:28,793
something that
is hugely challenging,
475
00:19:28,876 --> 00:19:32,004
there's emotional,
spiritual, physical growth?
476
00:19:32,088 --> 00:19:36,676
I believe that any time
you take on a big challenge,
477
00:19:36,759 --> 00:19:38,177
you rise to
the occasion.
478
00:19:38,260 --> 00:19:39,720
You learn a little
something about yourself
479
00:19:39,845 --> 00:19:40,888
that you didn't
know before, yeah.
480
00:19:41,013 --> 00:19:42,014
That changes you.
481
00:19:42,098 --> 00:19:43,349
That gives you confidence.
482
00:19:43,432 --> 00:19:45,309
Um, it kind of changes
how you go through life.
483
00:19:45,393 --> 00:19:47,853
Yeah, it makes the,
uh, day-to-day stresses
484
00:19:47,937 --> 00:19:50,189
probably not so, uh,
intimidating, right?
485
00:19:50,272 --> 00:19:52,566
I think it's perspective,
"I did that."
486
00:19:52,692 --> 00:19:53,901
Yeah.
487
00:19:54,026 --> 00:19:55,528
Something else comes
along, I can do that.
488
00:19:55,611 --> 00:19:57,571
- Mm-hm.
- I did it before.
489
00:19:57,697 --> 00:19:59,865
Feels good.
490
00:20:01,242 --> 00:20:03,452
Most of the stresses
that we face day to day
491
00:20:03,536 --> 00:20:04,745
are not life or death.
492
00:20:04,870 --> 00:20:07,039
They're things like
emails and missed deadlines,
493
00:20:07,123 --> 00:20:10,042
but they can feel
overwhelming in the moment.
494
00:20:12,336 --> 00:20:13,379
But here's the thing.
495
00:20:13,504 --> 00:20:16,090
When we expose ourself
to challenges, over time,
496
00:20:16,215 --> 00:20:18,968
it works a little bit
like a psychological vaccine.
497
00:20:19,051 --> 00:20:20,136
It makes us
more resilient,
498
00:20:20,261 --> 00:20:21,887
it makes us more
capable at handling
499
00:20:22,012 --> 00:20:25,099
future challenges,
and as a result,
500
00:20:25,224 --> 00:20:26,600
you don't sweat
the small stuff in daily
501
00:20:26,726 --> 00:20:29,270
life quite as much.
502
00:20:33,858 --> 00:20:35,234
The key to
unlocking these benefits
503
00:20:35,317 --> 00:20:38,863
for all of us seems to
be finding the edge of
504
00:20:38,946 --> 00:20:42,366
our comfort zone.
505
00:20:46,495 --> 00:20:47,913
How do you feel?
506
00:20:47,997 --> 00:20:49,123
No, it's,
at this point,
507
00:20:49,248 --> 00:20:50,833
I'm just trying to break
down everything we discussed,
508
00:20:50,916 --> 00:20:52,668
what section I do what in.
509
00:20:52,752 --> 00:20:53,753
Exactly.
510
00:20:53,836 --> 00:20:54,879
Where the sort
of reach is...
511
00:20:54,962 --> 00:20:56,005
Yeah.
512
00:20:56,088 --> 00:20:57,339
Where the
hardest part is.
513
00:20:57,423 --> 00:20:58,591
If you feel it,
if you're confident,
514
00:20:58,716 --> 00:21:00,384
if this is it,
just do it.
515
00:21:00,468 --> 00:21:03,888
Yeah. Cool.
516
00:21:07,224 --> 00:21:11,145
Yeah! Have
fun up there, okay?
517
00:21:19,361 --> 00:21:22,281
I think for Chris, the
physical skill needed
518
00:21:22,406 --> 00:21:26,786
is a certain amount,
and then there's the
519
00:21:26,911 --> 00:21:28,579
psychological side.
520
00:21:37,505 --> 00:21:38,631
Oh!
521
00:21:46,472 --> 00:21:49,642
That feeling of
potential failure,
522
00:21:49,725 --> 00:21:52,186
does it have to
be this bad thing?
523
00:21:52,311 --> 00:21:54,063
No, it could be
a lot of things.
524
00:21:54,146 --> 00:21:56,440
Sometimes it's kind of
like a little fire that
525
00:21:56,524 --> 00:21:58,567
gives you the push.
526
00:22:04,824 --> 00:22:05,950
Oof-oof!
527
00:22:06,033 --> 00:22:07,576
How was that?
It was good.
528
00:22:07,660 --> 00:22:10,329
Good job.
529
00:22:14,250 --> 00:22:15,626
So, the
more we're doing,
530
00:22:15,709 --> 00:22:16,919
the more we're climbing,
531
00:22:17,002 --> 00:22:18,212
and the thing
that, you know,
532
00:22:18,337 --> 00:22:20,005
I had some sort of
nervous energy about,
533
00:22:20,130 --> 00:22:24,176
is completely playful and
full of joy at this point.
534
00:22:26,011 --> 00:22:28,430
And I'm loving it.
535
00:22:30,683 --> 00:22:33,394
For me, physical
challenges like climbing
536
00:22:33,477 --> 00:22:37,857
invite you to improvise,
to be fully present and
537
00:22:37,982 --> 00:22:41,402
to reconnect to a
childlike way of being.
538
00:22:43,571 --> 00:22:45,990
Nice! Awesome job.
539
00:22:46,073 --> 00:22:47,533
That was perfect,
that was beautiful.
540
00:22:47,616 --> 00:22:48,868
Ah, thanks.
541
00:22:48,951 --> 00:22:50,160
So, the thing you're
kinda looking for is
542
00:22:50,244 --> 00:22:53,330
that real fun that your
kids have on the bike.
543
00:22:53,414 --> 00:22:54,540
Did you feel that?
544
00:22:54,665 --> 00:22:55,916
Yeah, absolutely.
545
00:22:56,041 --> 00:22:58,711
'Cause actually, once you
don't have the rope there,
546
00:22:58,794 --> 00:23:00,462
it's much easier to focus.
547
00:23:00,546 --> 00:23:01,630
Yeah.
548
00:23:01,714 --> 00:23:03,299
Us as kids, we don't,
we're not thinking about
549
00:23:03,424 --> 00:23:04,592
all those other things,
we're far more present
550
00:23:04,717 --> 00:23:06,594
and, and I see that with
my own kids, you know,
551
00:23:06,719 --> 00:23:08,679
they're just in the moment,
they do things.
552
00:23:08,762 --> 00:23:09,847
Yeah.
553
00:23:09,930 --> 00:23:10,931
And sometimes it's
a little risky,
554
00:23:11,015 --> 00:23:12,057
but most of the
time they're,
555
00:23:12,141 --> 00:23:13,934
they're on it and their
instincts are in control.
556
00:23:14,059 --> 00:23:15,269
- You're an adult.
- Yeah.
557
00:23:15,394 --> 00:23:16,604
You can't get rid
of all the stuff...
558
00:23:16,729 --> 00:23:18,022
- Yeah.
- That's going on.
559
00:23:18,105 --> 00:23:19,523
But you can manage all
that stuff, which you did,
560
00:23:19,607 --> 00:23:21,233
and then once all that
stuff gets managed...
561
00:23:21,317 --> 00:23:22,401
Yeah.
Now you can have fun.
562
00:23:27,573 --> 00:23:29,074
I'm starting
to have a different sort of
563
00:23:29,158 --> 00:23:31,785
enthusiasm and, and
appreciation for the
564
00:23:31,911 --> 00:23:34,288
climbing experience.
565
00:23:35,998 --> 00:23:38,959
Which is a good thing,
because this dam wall
566
00:23:39,084 --> 00:23:42,171
might be the hardest
challenge I've ever attempted.
567
00:23:43,589 --> 00:23:46,926
With a challenge this tough,
obviously training matters,
568
00:23:47,009 --> 00:23:49,094
but sometimes in
these intense situations,
569
00:23:49,178 --> 00:23:51,931
people can tap into
something extra and special,
570
00:23:52,014 --> 00:23:54,224
which is something
called a flow state.
571
00:23:56,518 --> 00:23:59,438
One of the things that's so
enjoyable about a flow state
572
00:23:59,521 --> 00:24:02,066
is that you are
focusing completely on
573
00:24:02,149 --> 00:24:04,360
what you are
doing in the moment.
574
00:24:04,443 --> 00:24:05,986
Flow has a lot
of similarities to
575
00:24:06,111 --> 00:24:08,238
a childlike state of mind.
576
00:24:08,322 --> 00:24:11,116
You're just focusing
on the task at hand.
577
00:24:13,577 --> 00:24:16,205
Researchers believe
that during flow state,
578
00:24:16,288 --> 00:24:18,332
prefrontal regions
of the brain involved
579
00:24:18,457 --> 00:24:23,420
in overthinking
reduce inactivity.
580
00:24:23,504 --> 00:24:26,799
At the same time,
dopamine floods the brain,
581
00:24:26,882 --> 00:24:28,926
giving us a
profound sense of drive,
582
00:24:29,009 --> 00:24:32,054
and boosting our focus.
583
00:24:32,972 --> 00:24:34,848
When these changes
happen together,
584
00:24:34,974 --> 00:24:37,226
we become fully
absorbed in the moment,
585
00:24:37,309 --> 00:24:40,187
much like the
way kids are.
586
00:24:41,355 --> 00:24:44,817
And this can allow us to
unlock our peak performance.
587
00:24:46,151 --> 00:24:47,987
When I first
saw the dam wall,
588
00:24:48,070 --> 00:24:51,490
I thought he's gonna
experience flow here.
589
00:24:54,368 --> 00:24:56,537
For me, flow state
all comes from these
590
00:24:56,662 --> 00:24:58,539
challenging situations.
591
00:24:59,206 --> 00:25:01,625
Time really
starts to stand still.
592
00:25:03,419 --> 00:25:06,714
There's infinite things that
can happen in that moment.
593
00:25:07,923 --> 00:25:11,051
It just seems
to last forever.
594
00:25:13,512 --> 00:25:15,973
Flow state
has always intrigued me.
595
00:25:16,056 --> 00:25:18,392
The way it seems to
give superhuman abilities
596
00:25:18,517 --> 00:25:20,686
to extreme
athletes like Robbie,
597
00:25:20,811 --> 00:25:24,273
and it's an active area
of scientific research.
598
00:25:24,815 --> 00:25:26,442
Alright, you ready
to meet the Zephyr system?
599
00:25:26,567 --> 00:25:28,318
- The Zephyr system?
- The Zephyr system.
600
00:25:28,402 --> 00:25:29,570
Alright.
601
00:25:29,695 --> 00:25:30,946
This is gonna let us spy on
your innards during the climb.
602
00:25:31,030 --> 00:25:32,114
- Cool.
- No, sorry, on here.
603
00:25:32,197 --> 00:25:33,240
Before the climb,
604
00:25:33,365 --> 00:25:35,159
Abi is rigging
me up with sensors.
605
00:25:35,242 --> 00:25:38,704
This cutting-edge tech may
reveal if I enter flow state
606
00:25:38,829 --> 00:25:40,080
when I'm on the dam.
607
00:25:40,205 --> 00:25:41,331
Put it there, or back...
608
00:25:41,415 --> 00:25:42,708
It should be like
about right there, yeah.
609
00:25:42,791 --> 00:25:43,834
Okay, cool.
610
00:25:43,917 --> 00:25:45,294
So, the Zephyr system
can capture both heart rate
611
00:25:45,377 --> 00:25:47,046
and heart rate
variability.
612
00:25:47,171 --> 00:25:48,547
We can see that both
of them are high or
613
00:25:48,630 --> 00:25:51,050
both of them are
increasing in parallel.
614
00:25:51,133 --> 00:25:52,718
That's a pretty good
index that a person might
615
00:25:52,843 --> 00:25:54,720
be in a flow state.
616
00:25:56,013 --> 00:25:58,849
Well, mate,
it's final last words.
617
00:25:58,932 --> 00:26:00,392
You got this.
618
00:26:00,476 --> 00:26:01,894
Yeah, I'm excited to
get into it now because
619
00:26:02,019 --> 00:26:03,771
it's sort of, the
more you discuss it,
620
00:26:03,896 --> 00:26:05,856
it starts to become the
thing you're trying to avoid,
621
00:26:05,939 --> 00:26:07,900
which is that
overthinking,
622
00:26:08,025 --> 00:26:09,860
lot of chatter
in the mind, you know,
623
00:26:09,943 --> 00:26:11,570
the sort of
thought after thought.
624
00:26:11,695 --> 00:26:12,821
Yeah.
625
00:26:12,905 --> 00:26:14,615
And now I just wanna
be immersed in the experience,
626
00:26:14,740 --> 00:26:15,866
get into
that flow state.
627
00:26:15,949 --> 00:26:16,950
Don't stress
on it, you know.
628
00:26:17,034 --> 00:26:18,827
Like, just let
go of the thoughts,
629
00:26:18,911 --> 00:26:20,079
of the emotions,
630
00:26:20,162 --> 00:26:22,039
of the feelings and
just be at peace with it.
631
00:26:22,122 --> 00:26:23,248
- That's right.
- Go and get it, brother.
632
00:26:23,332 --> 00:26:25,751
- See you at the top.
- I'm excited for you.
633
00:26:31,590 --> 00:26:33,092
Approaching
the dam,
634
00:26:33,175 --> 00:26:35,803
I'm acutely aware
of what is facing me.
635
00:26:35,928 --> 00:26:37,638
The freezing conditions...
636
00:26:37,763 --> 00:26:38,889
Alright.
637
00:26:38,972 --> 00:26:40,849
...The fear I could feel if
I don't control my thoughts,
638
00:26:40,933 --> 00:26:43,268
and the
physical demands.
639
00:26:43,352 --> 00:26:46,271
I can see the handholds
and the path in which
640
00:26:46,396 --> 00:26:49,399
I'm gonna have to climb.
641
00:26:50,484 --> 00:26:54,947
And I feel like I'm
being swallowed by this huge,
642
00:26:55,030 --> 00:26:58,492
giant concrete... entity.
643
00:27:02,663 --> 00:27:04,123
And we'll
see you at the top.
644
00:27:04,206 --> 00:27:06,125
See you at the top, mate.
645
00:27:06,250 --> 00:27:08,293
I desperately want to get
out the way of myself and
646
00:27:08,377 --> 00:27:11,338
just into the experience.
647
00:27:12,339 --> 00:27:15,509
The same way that
the children do.
648
00:27:16,802 --> 00:27:18,804
As I start the climb,
my two best mates,
649
00:27:18,929 --> 00:27:20,305
Zocchi and Aaron turn up,
650
00:27:20,389 --> 00:27:23,308
to offer a little
extra moral support.
651
00:27:23,392 --> 00:27:24,810
Abi, where do you
think he's gonna get to?
652
00:27:24,893 --> 00:27:26,144
- I think he's gonna do it.
- He's gonna do it?
653
00:27:26,270 --> 00:27:27,729
Okay, Zoc?
654
00:27:27,813 --> 00:27:28,981
He's gonna do it.
655
00:27:29,064 --> 00:27:30,315
I shouldn't
doubt my boy.
656
00:27:30,399 --> 00:27:31,859
I hope to God he does it,
but I reckon he's gonna
657
00:27:31,984 --> 00:27:33,986
get to the
start of the angle.
658
00:27:37,531 --> 00:27:40,117
The first
two or three holds,
659
00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:43,412
immediately I go,
"These things are freezing,"
660
00:27:43,537 --> 00:27:46,832
and my fingers
are becoming stiff.
661
00:27:49,793 --> 00:27:53,255
It's like climbing
up blocks of ice.
662
00:27:55,674 --> 00:28:00,012
I'm having to find
holds that allow, you know,
663
00:28:00,137 --> 00:28:02,556
my hands to cup like this.
664
00:28:03,098 --> 00:28:05,976
I feel like a, a baby seal
trying to claw my way up.
665
00:28:07,561 --> 00:28:09,605
.
666
00:28:09,813 --> 00:28:11,940
I literally cannot
feel my fingers.
667
00:28:16,194 --> 00:28:19,823
I just say to myself,
"Just keep moving."
668
00:28:22,159 --> 00:28:23,535
I've been told
that when I get
669
00:28:23,619 --> 00:28:25,579
to the sunny
section of the wall,
670
00:28:25,704 --> 00:28:27,205
it's dramatically
different,
671
00:28:27,289 --> 00:28:29,917
so that becomes
my first major goal.
672
00:28:39,051 --> 00:28:41,345
I'm just seeing
Chris take these huge climbs
673
00:28:41,428 --> 00:28:42,763
with his legs.
674
00:28:42,888 --> 00:28:44,681
It looks like a
gorilla going up this tree,
675
00:28:44,765 --> 00:28:46,725
and as he's going up,
I'm just like, man,
676
00:28:46,808 --> 00:28:48,393
he's going too fast.
677
00:28:48,518 --> 00:28:49,895
Ugh!.
678
00:28:50,020 --> 00:28:51,730
He said a
naughty word then.
679
00:28:51,813 --> 00:28:52,898
Aye-aye-aye.
680
00:28:52,981 --> 00:28:54,733
Naughty words
reduce pain.
681
00:28:54,858 --> 00:28:56,151
.
682
00:28:56,234 --> 00:28:57,527
If we
had a swear jar,
683
00:28:57,611 --> 00:28:59,071
I'd be a millionaire
by the end of this.
684
00:28:59,196 --> 00:29:02,157
I'm huffing
and puffing.
685
00:29:04,159 --> 00:29:06,536
I'm nowhere
near the top.
686
00:29:07,579 --> 00:29:09,790
Finally get to that
sunny patch of the wall.
687
00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:13,085
Chris this is
a good place to just
688
00:29:13,168 --> 00:29:14,252
take a breather, mate.
689
00:29:14,378 --> 00:29:15,796
You just wanna
stand on the ledge.
690
00:29:15,879 --> 00:29:16,922
Yeah.
691
00:29:17,047 --> 00:29:18,590
Sit back in your
harness, if you want.
692
00:29:18,674 --> 00:29:20,300
Shake your arms out,
get a bit of blood back.
693
00:29:20,425 --> 00:29:22,636
Yeah.
694
00:29:25,263 --> 00:29:27,808
You okay, mate?
How you feeling?
695
00:29:27,933 --> 00:29:29,309
Ah, yeah, good.
696
00:29:29,434 --> 00:29:30,727
Arms are pumped.
697
00:29:30,811 --> 00:29:32,562
Okay, mate, don't
rest for too long, then.
698
00:29:32,646 --> 00:29:35,232
You, if you wanna get
going, you just go, mate.
699
00:29:35,315 --> 00:29:37,275
Yeah, I'm in two minds.
700
00:29:37,401 --> 00:29:39,277
I'm like, I don't
wanna rest too long,
701
00:29:39,361 --> 00:29:44,282
but I'm also, uh, yeah,
my fingers are, uh...
702
00:29:44,408 --> 00:29:46,785
feel like they've been
run over by a truck,
703
00:29:46,868 --> 00:29:49,329
several times.
704
00:29:53,500 --> 00:29:56,461
I'm now at 60 meters,
or 200 feet,
705
00:29:56,586 --> 00:29:58,296
and beginning a much
trickier stage of the
706
00:29:58,380 --> 00:30:02,217
climb where I have
to ascend at an angle.
707
00:30:02,300 --> 00:30:05,804
Go. Ah, Okay.
708
00:30:09,850 --> 00:30:11,852
So I take off
again in somewhat of
709
00:30:11,977 --> 00:30:15,313
a sprint with the
assumption that, um,
710
00:30:15,397 --> 00:30:17,149
I'm gonna get
there in record time.
711
00:30:24,406 --> 00:30:28,076
Ah!.
712
00:30:28,326 --> 00:30:32,164
And then I hit
maybe the halfway mark.
713
00:30:34,458 --> 00:30:40,255
I look down, and
I immediately get that
714
00:30:40,338 --> 00:30:44,009
wave of like, terror.
715
00:30:44,134 --> 00:30:46,011
It makes you
wanna throw up.
716
00:30:52,809 --> 00:30:55,896
Oh!.
717
00:30:55,979 --> 00:30:59,691
There is a out of
control voice that has a
718
00:30:59,816 --> 00:31:04,529
twisted imagination
and I keep hearing my
719
00:31:04,654 --> 00:31:05,947
harness come undone.
720
00:31:06,031 --> 00:31:09,826
I keep checking my harness,
and at one point,
721
00:31:09,910 --> 00:31:11,495
I reach down and
I'm tightening it,
722
00:31:11,578 --> 00:31:13,163
and then I
immediately thought,
723
00:31:13,246 --> 00:31:15,332
"What if I just
loosened it?"
724
00:31:16,208 --> 00:31:17,876
And I'm looking up at
the rope and I'm like,
725
00:31:17,959 --> 00:31:20,045
"What if it snaps?"
726
00:31:22,589 --> 00:31:24,758
I think back to all the
training I've done with Bobby,
727
00:31:24,883 --> 00:31:29,221
my stunt double and I know
I can overcome my fear,
728
00:31:29,304 --> 00:31:33,892
my overthinking,
if I narrow my focus.
729
00:31:38,063 --> 00:31:41,566
One step at a time,
one hold at a time.
730
00:31:42,234 --> 00:31:44,069
.
731
00:31:50,325 --> 00:31:52,577
And I begin to
climb again and
732
00:31:52,702 --> 00:31:53,787
then all of a sudden,
733
00:31:53,912 --> 00:31:57,707
something really
beautiful is occurring.
734
00:31:58,834 --> 00:32:02,254
I begin to notice,
in moments when I'm like,
735
00:32:02,337 --> 00:32:04,047
there's no way
I can do this...
736
00:32:05,674 --> 00:32:08,927
I take a deep breath
and then I'm there.
737
00:32:09,219 --> 00:32:11,638
I've gained another 10 or
so feet without even being
738
00:32:11,763 --> 00:32:14,891
consciously aware of it.
739
00:32:16,059 --> 00:32:19,563
There is a real
integration of thoughts
740
00:32:19,646 --> 00:32:21,857
and emotions.
741
00:32:21,982 --> 00:32:24,734
Like there's something
harmonious occurring.
742
00:32:31,658 --> 00:32:32,951
You know the
preparation,
743
00:32:33,076 --> 00:32:35,912
you know the technique
and then it's all a matter
744
00:32:35,996 --> 00:32:38,415
of allowing the subconscious
and your muscle memory
745
00:32:38,498 --> 00:32:40,292
take over and
just kind of perform,
746
00:32:40,417 --> 00:32:41,877
and that's really
when flow state happens.
747
00:32:46,339 --> 00:32:48,717
I'm
feeling invigorated.
748
00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:52,304
I'm looking up, thinking,
"Okay, I can do this,"
749
00:32:52,387 --> 00:32:55,223
and then bam,
that's interrupted by...
750
00:32:55,307 --> 00:32:56,474
Come on.
751
00:32:56,600 --> 00:32:58,518
...Pure exhaustion.
752
00:33:12,866 --> 00:33:14,910
I'm approaching
the crux,
753
00:33:14,993 --> 00:33:17,662
where the wall
starts to overhang...
754
00:33:20,582 --> 00:33:24,294
...And my body
is starting to fail me.
755
00:33:29,883 --> 00:33:32,928
I don't think I've
ever felt this exhausted
756
00:33:33,011 --> 00:33:36,765
and I'm now realizing that
I should have not been so
757
00:33:36,848 --> 00:33:38,892
aggressively racing
to the finish line.
758
00:33:41,353 --> 00:33:44,272
I think you're gonna have to
pull me up, my arms are.
759
00:33:45,315 --> 00:33:46,483
Everything's cramped up.
760
00:33:46,566 --> 00:33:48,818
Aye-ah!
761
00:33:50,987 --> 00:33:53,990
Now the doubt
is coming in.
762
00:33:54,991 --> 00:33:58,662
And it's funny what that
doubt does to the entire body.
763
00:34:03,375 --> 00:34:04,417
Ah!
764
00:34:04,542 --> 00:34:07,379
,,.
765
00:34:07,462 --> 00:34:11,258
Ahh!
766
00:34:15,095 --> 00:34:17,847
Argh, just gotten to the
hardest point of the climb.
767
00:34:19,599 --> 00:34:23,186
I'm ready
to be done with this.
768
00:34:30,318 --> 00:34:31,987
He's at
breaking point now.
769
00:34:32,070 --> 00:34:33,488
I'm thinking,
"Let's just rescue him,
770
00:34:33,571 --> 00:34:35,198
let's just pull him up."
771
00:34:35,282 --> 00:34:37,033
Ah!.
772
00:34:39,160 --> 00:34:41,246
Ah!
773
00:34:41,329 --> 00:34:43,748
I know from my training
with Steph in Mallorca
774
00:34:43,873 --> 00:34:46,876
that there's a way we can
reframe what we're feeling...
775
00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:47,961
Ah!
776
00:34:48,086 --> 00:34:50,463
...To drive
ourselves forward,
777
00:34:50,588 --> 00:34:54,426
and what I find
in that moment...
778
00:34:54,592 --> 00:34:57,220
is blind rage.
779
00:35:06,646 --> 00:35:09,566
Alright, there's
no quit at this point.
780
00:35:09,649 --> 00:35:11,359
That, that
discussion's finished.
781
00:35:12,944 --> 00:35:14,738
I don't care how I
tear my fingernails off
782
00:35:14,821 --> 00:35:16,114
in the process.
783
00:35:16,197 --> 00:35:18,116
I'll bite these
holds if I have to.
784
00:35:18,199 --> 00:35:19,284
I'm getting there.
785
00:35:28,835 --> 00:35:32,297
Come on, now!
786
00:35:32,380 --> 00:35:34,174
It sounds like he's
really mad at the wall,
787
00:35:34,299 --> 00:35:36,217
like he doesn't want
the wall to beat him.
788
00:35:36,301 --> 00:35:37,636
Aargh!
789
00:35:37,761 --> 00:35:39,220
There is something
interestingly adolescent
790
00:35:39,304 --> 00:35:42,932
about getting really mad when
you can't reach your goal.
791
00:35:43,016 --> 00:35:44,476
Aargh!
792
00:35:44,601 --> 00:35:46,978
And there's something
really beneficial about that.
793
00:35:47,062 --> 00:35:48,104
Aargh!
794
00:35:48,188 --> 00:35:51,441
Rage actually brings
out extra physical strength.
795
00:35:51,524 --> 00:35:52,776
Aargh!
796
00:35:52,859 --> 00:35:53,860
There it is.
There it is.
797
00:35:53,943 --> 00:35:55,320
Almost there, mate.
798
00:35:56,696 --> 00:36:00,200
Let's go.
799
00:36:01,451 --> 00:36:02,994
Aargh!
800
00:36:14,547 --> 00:36:16,007
Come on Hem!
801
00:36:16,091 --> 00:36:17,258
Yes!
802
00:36:17,342 --> 00:36:18,593
Get up there!
803
00:36:21,888 --> 00:36:23,473
Yeah!
Come on! Mate! Yeah!
804
00:36:25,183 --> 00:36:26,309
Aargh!
805
00:36:26,393 --> 00:36:28,436
You've done it! Yeah! Woo!
806
00:36:29,854 --> 00:36:31,231
Woo! Woo!
807
00:36:32,440 --> 00:36:33,441
Come on up, mate.
808
00:36:33,525 --> 00:36:34,526
There it is.
809
00:36:34,609 --> 00:36:36,027
Well done, go do it again.
810
00:36:37,195 --> 00:36:38,530
Am I hooked
on something?
811
00:36:38,655 --> 00:36:43,535
Ah! Oh my God!
812
00:36:43,660 --> 00:36:48,206
Oh! Ah!
813
00:36:49,666 --> 00:36:50,959
.
814
00:36:51,084 --> 00:36:52,210
It would be an
understatement to say
815
00:36:52,293 --> 00:36:53,294
I'm proud of Chris.
816
00:36:53,378 --> 00:36:55,547
I'm like, so
stoked that he did this.
817
00:36:55,630 --> 00:36:59,092
- Oh man.
- So inspiring.
818
00:36:59,217 --> 00:37:01,469
I think that's the hardest
thing I've ever done.
819
00:37:01,553 --> 00:37:02,679
That was disgusting.
820
00:37:02,762 --> 00:37:05,348
Oh! Ah!
821
00:37:05,432 --> 00:37:07,559
I pretty much
collapsed into a heap but
822
00:37:07,684 --> 00:37:09,936
I immediately feel
that elation,
823
00:37:10,061 --> 00:37:12,522
that sense of
accomplishment.
824
00:37:12,605 --> 00:37:13,898
That was an effort.
825
00:37:14,023 --> 00:37:17,777
And it's pure
joy at that point.
826
00:37:17,902 --> 00:37:20,905
I am blown away by
what he just accomplished.
827
00:37:21,030 --> 00:37:22,365
There were points
where I was like,
828
00:37:22,449 --> 00:37:25,160
"Oh, I cannot lift
myself on this next hold."
829
00:37:25,285 --> 00:37:26,411
Yeah.
830
00:37:26,536 --> 00:37:27,537
And then quiet,
take a breath,
831
00:37:27,620 --> 00:37:29,122
and then I'd be three
meters beyond where
832
00:37:29,247 --> 00:37:30,874
I thought it was and go,
"Oh, what just happened?"
833
00:37:30,957 --> 00:37:32,083
- Yeah.
- You know?
834
00:37:32,167 --> 00:37:34,753
Just by how quickly things
would switch on and off.
835
00:37:34,878 --> 00:37:36,129
Yeah.
836
00:37:36,212 --> 00:37:37,422
Looking
at the heart rate data,
837
00:37:37,547 --> 00:37:39,966
we can clearly see an increase
on heart rate variability,
838
00:37:40,091 --> 00:37:41,760
as well as that
elevated heart rate,
839
00:37:41,843 --> 00:37:43,595
which is consistent
with a flow state.
840
00:37:43,678 --> 00:37:45,054
You can see those
five pitches.
841
00:37:45,138 --> 00:37:46,139
Mm.
842
00:37:46,222 --> 00:37:47,223
You can see it
go down at...
843
00:37:47,307 --> 00:37:48,433
Yeah.
844
00:37:48,516 --> 00:37:49,934
Each of those four rest spots,
but what's really cool is after,
845
00:37:50,018 --> 00:37:51,269
right when you're
starting the third pitch,
846
00:37:51,352 --> 00:37:53,146
your heart rate
variability is going up.
847
00:37:53,271 --> 00:37:55,273
That is consistent
with more of a flow state,
848
00:37:55,356 --> 00:37:56,816
and at least,
as an observer,
849
00:37:56,941 --> 00:38:00,236
it looked like you were
really in a rhythm there.
850
00:38:00,820 --> 00:38:02,155
And it's funny,
it's not like, wow!
851
00:38:02,280 --> 00:38:04,115
I've, for 20, 30 minutes,
I was in flow.
852
00:38:04,199 --> 00:38:05,450
You really are
in and out of it,
853
00:38:05,575 --> 00:38:06,743
like you were saying.
854
00:38:06,826 --> 00:38:07,827
It's like there's
that discussion
855
00:38:07,911 --> 00:38:08,953
and the next minute,
856
00:38:09,037 --> 00:38:10,371
you know, you're
further up the wall.
857
00:38:10,455 --> 00:38:11,456
It's kind of wild.
858
00:38:11,539 --> 00:38:13,583
Yeah, that was amazing.
Oh!
859
00:38:13,666 --> 00:38:16,085
The more sedentary
we've become,
860
00:38:16,169 --> 00:38:20,882
the more choice we have,
we're not forced to,
861
00:38:20,965 --> 00:38:23,843
you know,
challenge ourselves as much.
862
00:38:23,968 --> 00:38:25,136
That was...
863
00:38:25,220 --> 00:38:27,013
Pushing your limits and
seeking out new challenges
864
00:38:27,138 --> 00:38:28,473
sometimes feels
uncomfortable...
865
00:38:28,556 --> 00:38:29,599
Oh.
866
00:38:29,682 --> 00:38:31,309
I never doubted you.
I never doubted you.
867
00:38:31,392 --> 00:38:33,353
But there's a good chance
that it will make you happier
868
00:38:33,478 --> 00:38:35,980
and could even lead to a
healthier and longer life.
869
00:38:36,648 --> 00:38:39,984
Life is sitting here in
front of us and welcoming
870
00:38:40,109 --> 00:38:42,779
all of us to dive in
and experience everything
871
00:38:42,862 --> 00:38:45,532
on offer in
every shape and form.
872
00:38:46,741 --> 00:38:47,951
Whether it's
playing chess,
873
00:38:48,034 --> 00:38:49,369
whether it's playing
a musical instrument,
874
00:38:49,494 --> 00:38:52,831
playing with your kids,
or base jumping,
875
00:38:52,914 --> 00:38:55,500
rock climbing,
surfing a 100-foot wave,
876
00:38:55,625 --> 00:38:58,920
we have to live with
passion and commitment...
877
00:38:59,003 --> 00:39:00,672
Ooh, you alright, babe?
878
00:39:00,755 --> 00:39:02,924
...And embrace all of it.
879
00:39:03,967 --> 00:39:05,093
Do you love riding?
880
00:39:05,218 --> 00:39:07,345
In the air with the
wind in your face,
881
00:39:07,470 --> 00:39:08,471
it's so good.
882
00:39:08,555 --> 00:39:10,014
Whenever I go over
a jump it's like,
883
00:39:10,139 --> 00:39:12,934
what happens, happens.
884
00:39:13,434 --> 00:39:15,854
When I started this,
I wanted to recapture that
885
00:39:15,979 --> 00:39:18,731
adventurous spirit
that we see in our kids,
886
00:39:18,857 --> 00:39:20,483
and I don't know,
maybe that brings out the
887
00:39:20,567 --> 00:39:21,818
child in me again, you know?
888
00:39:21,901 --> 00:39:23,403
We've come sort of
full circle and I'm now
889
00:39:23,486 --> 00:39:24,988
learning from them.
890
00:39:25,071 --> 00:39:27,323
I think that's
what it's about.
891
00:39:28,241 --> 00:39:29,242
Woo!
892
00:39:29,325 --> 00:39:31,035
Because the
growth that occurs through
893
00:39:31,119 --> 00:39:34,247
any challenging experience
is really what we seek.
894
00:39:36,875 --> 00:39:43,172
{\an8}