35 Days, 3300 Miles, and One Powerful Lesson About Fear

Wendy Francis, NBC-HWC – Board-Certified Health Coach and Functional Nutritionist

I recently completed something that many people thought was a little crazy.

A 35-day road trip. 3,300 miles. 13 different stops. And, I did it alone.

Along the way I stayed in Airbnbs and hotels I had never been to before, drove through cities and small towns I had never seen, and woke up in places where I did not know a single person. Every time I mentioned the trip to someone, the response was almost always the same.

“You’re doing that by yourself?”

Many people said they would be scared to do something like that. Some called me brave. A few jokingly called me crazy. But the truth is, I never really thought twice about it. It wasn’t like I was doing anything monumental. It was just a roadtrip and, I wanted to go, so I went.

The Realization That Hit Me

What struck me during those conversations was not the trip itself. It was how many people felt that fear would stop them from doing something they truly wanted to do.

For some people it might be traveling alone. For others it might be something much smaller that still feels intimidating.

• Going out to eat by yourself
• Taking a class where you don’t know anyone
• Starting a new hobby
• Trying something completely outside your comfort zone
• Making a life change you’ve been thinking about for years

Fear can quietly place limits around our lives without us even realizing it.

Your Brain Is Trying to Protect You

Here is the fascinating part about the brain. Its primary job is not to make you adventurous. Its job is to keep you safe.

When your brain senses something unfamiliar, it often interprets that uncertainty as danger. The result can be hesitation, anxiety, or a strong urge to avoid the situation altogether.

But many times, the “danger” your brain perceives is simply something new.

That is why I often remind clients of something very important.

Your mind believes what you tell it.

If you continually tell yourself something is risky, overwhelming, or too scary, your brain will reinforce that belief. It will work hard to keep you inside the boundaries it thinks are safest.

Sometimes those boundaries protect us. But other times they quietly hold us back from experiences that could expand our lives in beautiful ways.

You Don’t Have to Wait for Anyone

One of the greatest lessons of my trip was realizing just how big and beautiful this world really is.

There are so many places to see, people to meet, and experiences waiting to happen. If we spend our lives waiting for the perfect timing, the perfect partner, or the perfect circumstances, we may miss opportunities that are sitting right in front of us.

Sometimes the most empowering thing you can do is simply decide to go.

What Might Be Waiting on the Other Side of Fear?

My road trip was not really about miles or destinations. It was about freedom. It was about trusting myself enough to step into something new and embracing the adventure along the way.

Your version of that adventure may look completely different. It might be small. It might be huge. But if there is something inside you that you have always wanted to do, it may be worth asking yourself one simple question.

Is fear the only thing standing in the way?

If it is, the good news is that fear can be worked through. The brain is incredibly adaptable, and with the right support and mindset shifts, it is possible to retrain the way we respond to uncertainty.

Are You Ready to Put Your Fears Aside?

If there is something you have been wanting to do but fear or anxiety keeps holding you back, coaching can help you work through those mental barriers. Sometimes all it takes is learning how to shift the conversation happening inside your own mind.