Fears

When I turned 18, I became obsessed with facing my fears.

If I was scared of something, and I knew I shouldn’t be, I did everything in my power to make it happen.

I left home. I traveled the world. I jumped the tallest commercial bungee in the world in Macau.

I killed a thousand fears and I was reborn without them.

I stopped chasing fears eventually because life finds a way to ground you and make you more boring.

On my trip today, I found an extreme park by chance. Canopy, rappel, tightrope.

I did all of it and barely felt the adrenaline. I had lived a life that prepared me for this.

I did all of it with Alex. He was scared out of his mind and did it all.

I’m proud of him.

I’ve always known that part of the job is to expose them to controlled danger so they grow into brave adults.

Afterwards I asked if he felt braver. He said, “Of course I’m more brave.”

I want my kids to be brave. I have to show them I’m brave first. Then I have to put them in real situations where they can be brave too.

The modern world is safe and it’s much easier to have fun on a couch.

Bravery takes conscious effort. I’ll find ways.