Alex Honnold poses nude for last ever ESPN Body Issue

Publish date: 2024-04-27

Record-holding rock climber Alex Honnold has posed nude for ESPN's September Body Issue, the final issue of the iconic sports magazine.

In striking behind-the-scenes shots, the Sacramento, California-born athlete, 34, is seen in a variety of poses such as lying in a starfish position on top of a rock, crouching against boulders and revealing his chalked-up hands to the camera. 

Alex, who is the only person to ever free solo the 3,000-foot-high El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, is one of 22 athletes who will be celebrated in the magazine, which hits newsstands Wednesday.

Chalk: Behind the scenes photos show an almost-nude Alex, as he poses for ESPN's Body Issue

Chalk: Behind the scenes photos show an almost-nude Alex, as he poses for ESPN's Body Issue  

Nature: A photographer captures dad-of-one and record-holding rock climber Alex, who looks serene in his natural habitat

Nature: A photographer captures dad-of-one and record-holding rock climber Alex, who looks serene in his natural habitat

The final product: Alex's cover shot saw him balanced in between two faces of rock

The final product: Alex's cover shot saw him balanced in between two faces of rock

The 11th annual issue aims to celebrate the achievements of athletes from around the world, while simultaneously celebrating their strong physicality. 

It will also be the last official print edition of ESPN The Magazine in general, which began circulating in 1998, as the entity plans to become digital first.

In the images of Alex, he is seen extending his chalked-up hands for one shot, showcasing his sinewy muscles in the process. 

The incredibly toned athlete has previously said he runs to keep fit when he is not climbing.  

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Share Rocks: The California-native, pictured, posed against a backdrop of boulders for the highly-anticipated ESPN Body Issue

Rocks: The California-native, pictured, posed against a backdrop of boulders for the highly-anticipated ESPN Body Issue 

Incredible: Alex, pictured, was the first person to ever free solo Yosemite's 3,000-foot-high El Capitan - with no safety equipment

Incredible: Alex, pictured, was the first person to ever free solo Yosemite's 3,000-foot-high El Capitan - with no safety equipment 

Other photographs show him out in nature, where he is happiest, holding various poses among mountainous scenes. 

Dad-of-one Alex, who is a vegetarian and does not drink alcohol, is known for his dedication to his sport and his low-key lifestyle.

Lean: The climber previously said he has to maintain a lean physique to stag agile and ligt while he climbs

Lean: The climber previously said he has to maintain a lean physique to stag agile and ligt while he climbs 

He previously lived in a van kitted out with a kitchenette for an entire decade. 

In 2017 he bought a home in Las Vegas, shortly after he met his partner Sanni McCandless, a 26-year-old life coach, with whom he has an infant son. 

The diligent climber previously told Men's Journal that he trained for over 40 hours a week in preparation for his El Capital climb - starting his days at 4 AM. 

He also had to factor in a lot of core work, stretching and cardio to stay lean.

'I have been a vegetarian for a long time, an aspiring vegan, and I always try to eat pretty healthy,' he told the outlet. 

'I [previously] was eating vegan plus eggs, which I found kept me pretty fit. I commonly did a big breakfast, a big dinner, and then snack throughout the day. That is mostly a product of the climbing life rather than a choice I am making.'

'I need to eat a lot in the morning so that I can perform. My breakfast would usually be unsweetened muesli and fruit concoction with hemp milk. I would toss chia seeds in there as well.'

'For dinner I would make a bunch of eggs, especially since I can get lazy at the end of the day and it is fairly easy to prepare,' he added.  

Spray it! Soccer star Kelley O'Hara is photographed by photographer Heather Hazzan for the ESPN Body Issue

Spray it! Soccer star Kelley O'Hara is photographed by photographer Heather Hazzan for the ESPN Body Issue 

Gymnast: Katelyn Ohashi is seen behind-the-scenes for her nude shoot for the final issue, an empowering moment for the gymnast who has previously revealed body self-esteem issues

Gymnast: Katelyn Ohashi is seen behind-the-scenes for her nude shoot for the final issue, an empowering moment for the gymnast who has previously revealed body self-esteem issues

'Snacking I would eat fruit, almonds, and random protein bars that people send me. I have also liked the nut butter packs from Justin’s.'

Alex, who was the subject of an Oscar-winning 2018 documentary about his life called Free Solo, also runs Honnold Foundation, an initiative that has sustainability and equality at the forefront.

He appears among countrymen and women such as Texan football player Lane Johnson and soccer star Kelley O'Hara from the U.S Women's National Team.  

Katelyn Ohashi, the Seattle, Washington-born gymnast, is included in the issue. The 22-year-old wunderkid went viral twice thanks to her inimitable floor routines.  

Icelandic athlete Katrin Davidsdottir, the formidably strong CrossFit Women’s Champion 2015 and 2016, and star of the Netflix documentary about the games, also appears. 

As well as hitting newsstands, the final images will go live on espn.com tomorrow.

As it shutters its print operation, a spokesperson for ESPN said it will maybe 'consider' publishing print versions of special issues like the Body Issue in the future.

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