Image: David Murphy
What drives humans to take on endurance challenges? Athletes in many disciplines have pushed the boundaries of what is considered possible to accomplish amazing feats – from Alex Honnold free-soloing the 3,000-foot wall of El Capitan to Sarah Thomas swimming an unprecedented four-way English Channel solo. Challenging expectations and extending the physical and mental limits of what humans are capable of, solo endurance challenges can also be an opportunity to process big emotions and give meaning to life when faced with seemingly unsurmountable grief and tragedy.