On January 24th, millions of Netflix viewers watched Alex Honnold’s incredible free solo climb of the 1,667-foot Taipei 101 building. However, what they saw was actually delayed by 10 seconds. This precaution allowed Netflix to immediately cut the broadcast to a black screen if anything went wrong during the dangerous climb.
Alex Honnold’s wife, Sanni McCandless Honnold, watched him climb live. She first observed from the base of the 11th tallest building in the world, and then moved up to the 60th floor, where she cheered him on with a laugh and a wave.
She told Netflix she was focusing on staying relaxed and enjoying the present, describing herself as ‘breezy’.
It might seem strange to feel relief while watching her husband—and the father of her daughters, June, 3, and Alice, 23 months—climb a skyscraper without any safety gear. But this isn’t the first time this life coach has faced a challenging situation.
Sanni once shared that when you truly care for someone and see they’re struggling, a natural response is wanting to take their pain away. She said, ‘I wish I could take their place, I wish I could take their stress away,’ after Alex had safely landed.
Instead, she noted, her overwhelming sentiment was, “‘Thank God I’m not him!'”
As for any nerves on her end?
As soon as he jumped, I realized things wouldn’t disappear, but would become more personal and peaceful, and ultimately, make me happy,” the 33-year-old said.
Sanni realizes it’s not easy to watch someone you love take big risks, but she’s been a constant source of support for Alex ever since they first met at a book signing in 2015.
She admitted to occasionally worrying, but when Alex takes on difficult free climbs—like his famous rope-free ascent of El Capitan, documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo—everyone shares their thoughts and concerns. Ultimately, they respect his decision-making process, balancing teamwork with his dedication and passion for the sport, as Sanni explained. They aim for collaborative choices while acknowledging the artistry involved.
When I heard about this opportunity, I was so thrilled for Alex! She actually told CNN it was a lifelong dream, and honestly, I couldn’t have been happier for her. I was completely on board and cheering her on every step of the way.
She said she hadn’t actively opposed the idea, it just hadn’t been a priority for her. But about two months ago, she realized it was actually going to happen. She’d noticed Alex practicing and getting ready, and then he became fully committed.
So, she set about readying herself as well.
In the trailer for Skyscraper Live, she addressed concerns about Alex solo climbing now that he’s a father, stating, “This is simply part of who Alex is.”
And it was that eye for adventure that initially drew her in at that Seattle book signing.
I’ve always been an outdoorsy person – I grew up in Washington and North Carolina and recently got into rock climbing. But honestly, before I met him, I knew absolutely nothing about him! I wrote about it in an essay for Outside magazine – I remember listening to him talk, and I just thought he was adorable and hilarious. On a whim, I scribbled my number on a napkin and left it on the table as I walked away, hoping he’d reach out.
When they finally got together for pizza weeks later, they discovered how different they truly were. She explained that while she enjoyed outdoor activities casually, he was a dedicated rock climber. She lived in a bustling city with several roommates, while he preferred spending his days off alone in his van. She valued shades of gray and understanding the details, but he preferred simple, straightforward thinking.
Even though we were completely different people, we still felt a connection,” she said. “I didn’t realize, as we were getting to know each other and laughing, that he had just agreed to let National Geographic film a documentary about his life.
In June 2016, after six months, she quit her job at a tech startup in Seattle to travel across Europe with him.
She described him as truly unique – remarkably brave, secretly longing for affection and recognition, self-assured, and incredibly intelligent. They got to know each other while hiking in the Alps, and she especially appreciated his playful side and how he made her laugh. She believed he enjoyed her ability to laugh at herself and her zest for life, and jokingly wondered if her being unemployed at the time also helped.
When they came back to the United States, she said they quickly packed three boxes into his van from the basement. As they drove away, she playfully asked if they had just moved in together.
In June 2017, he achieved a historic first: climbing El Capitan. He did this while still living in his 2016 Dodge Ram Promaster van. Cameras documented the climb, and also captured a moment where he told Sanni he would always prioritize his climbing over a relationship.
She explained in an essay that he was concerned her presence would hinder his climbing goals, and that he felt he had to choose between their relationship and achieving his ambitions. She recalled asking why they couldn’t have both, and they ultimately found a way to nurture their growing feelings while still allowing him the focus he needed for his challenging climbs.
Although she admitted to experiencing intense anxiety after viewers started sharing their opinions – with some even claiming she was in an abusive relationship – Sanni disagrees with being labeled as an unsupportive partner.
In a 2022 interview with Fatherly, she said she considered Alex to be a wonderful boyfriend, adding that they grew better at supporting each other the more time they spent together.
Alex proposed to his partner while they were vacationing on Whidbey Island in Washington, asking, “Do you want to keep doing what we were doing?” as he presented a ring box. They were married in a small, private ceremony by a lake in September 2020, with only family in attendance.
Alex shared on Instagram that Sanni looked beautiful, and they enjoyed a lovely evening despite the smoky conditions finally clearing enough to offer some nice views.
Just under a year passed, and while officiating at her best friend’s wedding, Sanni revealed she was pregnant.
Sanni told People magazine that the moment reminded her of a funny scene from Friends – when Rachel accidentally kept spitting out champagne at Monica’s wedding.
Similar to the stressful climbs Alex experiences, the birth of their oldest child in February 2022 was a chaotic and frightening time. Their baby, June, needed immediate care in the NICU after an emergency C-section.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve heard many stories about moments that change everything, and this one truly stands out. Alex described it as a uniquely terrifying experience, even compared to extreme situations like being in danger in the mountains. He explained that it wasn’t just the immediate crisis, but the overwhelming, deep-seated dread of watching his wife in pain and fearing for both her and their baby’s lives. It was the realization that everything he knew, his entire world, could be irrevocably altered in a single moment – a truly devastating feeling.
They quickly returned to their usual routines, with June joining them on family hikes and they even made a trip to El Capitan.
Nor did they miss a beat when her little sister Alice arrived two years later.
While her husband, Alex, was filming the National Geographic series Arctic Ascent in Greenland, Sanni told People magazine that they had some big trips planned for their growing family. “We’re booking everything with flexible tickets and refundable accommodations, just in case things don’t work out!” she said. “We’re not sure if our travel goals are realistic with two young kids, but we’re going to give it our best shot!”
Sanni continued to grow, launching Outwild, her series of outdoor retreats, and establishing Sanni McCandless Coaching in 2018, all while pursuing her career goals.
She knows things could easily fall apart, but she’s become accustomed to living without any financial security or backup plan.
She told Fatherly that her husband truly needs to free climb. “Alex is at his best and happiest when he’s outdoors and climbing,” she said. “He gets really irritable if he doesn’t get to climb.”
When he told her about his plans – like climbing a skyscraper with millions watching – she said they were fully supportive, no matter the outcome. Speaking at a press conference on January 24th, she explained she’s there to help him with any problems, offer encouragement, and ensure everything is organized. She added that Alex provides the same support for her in her own endeavors, which is what makes them a strong team.
Alex earned a substantial amount – over $500,000 – and received worldwide recognition for his performance at Skyscraper Live. He’s just one of many athletes profiting from their incredible strength – see how much others have earned through their athletic achievements.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s earnings are legendary, and he consistently ranks among the world’s highest-paid athletes. In June 2025, he extended his contract with Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia for two more years. Although the specific details weren’t made public, reports indicate he was earning around $200 million per year when he initially joined the team in 2022, following his departure from Manchester United.
Lionel Messi started his career with Inter Miami CF with a substantial contract. According to the MLS Players Association, the Argentine star, who joined the team in 2023 after playing for Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, will earn an average of over $20.4 million per year. His current base salary is $12 million annually. The team is owned by David Beckham, and Messi signed a contract lasting two and a half years.
Despite progress towards equal pay, a significant gap remains between the earnings of male and female athletes. For example, the 2025 list of the top 50 highest-paid athletes published by Forbes included no women. Alex Morgan, who retired from professional soccer in 2024, ranked 16th on Forbes‘ list of the highest-paid female athletes last year. They estimated her 2024 earnings at $600,000 from playing and $7 million from endorsements. While U.S. Soccer has taken a positive step by equalizing World Cup prize money for its men’s and women’s teams, achieving true pay equity will require continued effort.
Caitlin Clark, the first pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, signed a four-year contract with the Indiana Fever. According to reports, the contract is worth $338,056, with a rookie salary of $76,535. This relatively low figure surprised many, especially when compared to the much higher salaries of NBA players. In addition to her WNBA contract, Clark has secured several endorsement deals, including a lucrative $28 million deal with Nike.
Stephen Curry was the highest-paid NBA player for the 2025-2026 season, earning $59.6 million, according to ESPN. The Golden State Warriors then secured his future with the team by signing him to a $62.6 million contract extension through 2027, as confirmed by his agent to CNBC in August 2024.
And leading the charge with earnings? LeBron James. ESPN reports the Los Angeles Lakers forward made $52.6 million during the 2025-2026 season.
Coco Gauff is making waves both on and off the tennis court. In 2024, Forbes ranked her as the highest-paid female athlete, with total earnings of $34.4 million – $9.4 million from playing and $25 million from endorsements and other ventures.
Naomi Osaka is also proving successful with her sponsorships and endorsements. According to Forbes, she earned around $12.9 million in 2024, with $12 million of that coming from off-court deals – meaning everything besides prize money from tournaments.
Simone Biles had a golden year both in and out of competition. Forbes estimates she earned $11.2 million in 2024, with most of that – around $11 million – coming from endorsements and other opportunities outside of prize money.
Wondering how much Travis Kelce earns playing for the Kansas City Chiefs? He recently signed a two-year contract worth $34.25 million, as reported by NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Patrick Mahomes, his teammate, received a very lucrative contract from the Chiefs in 2020. According to Equity Sports, his agency, the 10-year deal is worth $450 million.
The Buffalo Bills made sure to sign quarterback Josh Allen to a long-term contract. In March 2025, he signed a six-year deal worth $330 million, with $250 million guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport.
Russell Wilson has joined the New York Giants. After playing for the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, and Pittsburgh Steelers, the quarterback signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Giants in March 2025. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo reported that Wilson could earn up to $21 million with performance-based incentives.
Aaron Rodgers is now the Steelers’ quarterback, having previously played for the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers. He’ll be wearing number 8, but his contract is significantly larger than that number suggests. He signed a one-year deal in June 2025 worth $13.65 million, with $10 million guaranteed, and could potentially earn up to $19.5 million more based on performance incentives, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
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2026-01-26 21:19