This past Sunday, January 25th, the world held its breath as Alex Honnold became the first person to free-solo climb Taipei 101.
Scaling 1,667 feet of glass and steel with no ropes and no safety gear, Alex didn’t just break a record but redefined human potential.
For me, watching the footage was deeply personal. While the world saw a skyscraper, I saw the heart of one of my favorite cities.
With family and friends still in Taiwan, Taipei 101 is more than a building to us; it’s a symbol of resilience.
Alex Honnold Follows the “99% Vegan” Performance Hack
Alex Honnold began climbing at his local gym at the age of five and by age 19, he had transition to full-time outdoor climbing. For everyone looking from the outside, he is brave for taking significant risks that most of us could never. But for him, a free solo climb is a rewarding risk that he takes very seriously just as his training and food choices. He has stated that his choice to be 99% vegan isn’t just about ethics but a calculated decision based entirely on performance.
To climb at this level, his body must function like a perfectly tuned machine.
This is the data-driven science behind how plants can be essential for endurance during a free solo climb:
- Maximum Oxygen Flow – Plants like spinach and beets are rich in nitrates, which convert to Nitric Oxide in the body. This dilates blood vessels, allowing oxygen-rich blood to reach his forearms and fingers faster, preventing the “muscle pump” that makes a climber’s grip fail.
- Lower Blood Viscosity – Animal fats can “thicken” the blood, slowing down circulation. A plant-based diet keeps the blood fluid and efficient, allowing the heart to deliver fuel to the brain and limbs with less effort, keeping the heart rate calm in life-or-death situations.
- Rapid Anti-Inflammatory Recovery – Every move on a 101-story building creates micro-tears in the muscles. The phytonutrients and antioxidants found only in plants flush out inflammation, allowing for recovery in hours rather than days.
- The Power-to-Weight Ratio: In free-soloing, every ounce of body weight matters. A whole-food plant-based diet allows climbers to maintain elite muscle mass. This and without the “dead weight” of excess body fat.
Fueling Your Own Summit with Plant-Based Foods
You don’t have to be standing on a ledge at the 101st floor to feel these benefits. Whether you are navigating a high-stress workday or training for your own fitness goals, the science is the same: Plants can help the human body function its best.
At Alice & Friends, we use these same principles to ensure you leave our table feeling like you can conquer your own “skyscrapers.”
To my family in Taiwan: I was watching with you! And to our Chicago family: Come by this week, grab some Cha Siu Bao, and let’s fuel up for our next big adventure. 
