it's just all or nothing stuff but it's like a religion to those who do it!
Nail on the head. You hear people saying "do they not care about their families/self regard etc etc".
They're more aware of the repercussions than anyone else, they just can't not do it. It's a driving force for them.
The closest comparison I can make is freesolo climbing it's just all or nothing stuff but it's like a religion to those who do it!