Episode Summary

Fear has a way of showing up right when we’re trying to grow. In this episode of The Moxie Teacher Podcast, I’m talking honestly about the role fear plays in our lives, especially when we’re setting goals or stepping into something new.

Fear doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It doesn’t mean you should stop. It’s a natural emotion designed to protect you, but it often tells stories about the future that aren’t actually true.

In this episode, I break down what fear really is, why it shows up, and three simple ways to work with fear instead of letting it block the life you want to build. My hope is that you walk away feeling calmer, clearer, and more confident the next time fear shows up.

Find this episode on Apple or Spotify

Show Notes

00:00 – Why fear keeps showing up at the start of a new year
Why goals and motivation don’t work if fear is quietly running the show.

02:10 – There is nothing wrong with feeling fear
Fear as a natural human emotion and why it exists to protect us.

05:15 – How fear tells stories about the future
Why your brain jumps to worst case scenarios and fills in unknown gaps.

08:30 – Check fear for truth: What story is fear telling?
How to identify the “I won’t be okay” narrative.

12:10 – Check the evidence: Where is the proof?
Why past experiences and repetitive thoughts don’t predict the future.

16:40 – You’ve survived 100% of your hardest days
Why your lived experience matters more than fear’s predictions.

19:30 – Validate fear: What is it trying to protect?
Understanding the difference between danger and discomfort.

23:50 – Turning fear into information instead of a stop sign
How to take small steps even when fear is present.

27:00 – Final reflection question
“If you knew you weren’t going to fail, what would you go after this year?”

Podcast Transcript

As I was thinking about different topics I wanted to talk about at the start of the new year, one word kept coming back to me. Fear.

I know that probably doesn’t sound very motivating. New years are supposed to feel inspiring and exciting. We talk a lot about goals and fresh starts. And those things matter.

But I want to ask you a really important question. What good are goals if fear is quietly blocking you from going after them?

I want to be honest and vulnerable today. Fear has been taking the lead in parts of my own life recently, and I’ve watched it do the same in the lives of people I care deeply about.

There is nothing wrong with feeling fear. It’s a natural human emotion. It exists to protect us. There is no shame in it.

Fear gets a bad reputation. We’re taught that if we feel it, something must be wrong or we should avoid whatever we’re doing. But fear is one of the core emotions our body uses to communicate with us.

When fear shows up, your brain is usually telling a story about the future where it thinks you might not be okay. Your brain is designed to fill in unknown gaps quickly for survival.

The problem is that story feels real, even when it’s not true.

Fear isn’t going anywhere. So instead of trying to get rid of it, we need to learn how to check it for truth.

The first step is naming the story fear is telling. Most of the time, that story sounds like, “In the future, I will not be okay.” Ask yourself what your brain is predicting and remember that predictions are not facts.

Second, check the evidence. Ask yourself where the proof actually is. Have you handled hard things before? The truth is, you have survived one hundred percent of your hardest days. You are still here.

And third, ask what fear is trying to protect. Fear often shows up around things that matter. Ask yourself if the situation is actually unsafe, or just uncomfortable. Your body reacts the same way to both.

Once you calm your nervous system enough to remember you are not in danger, you can say, “I am feeling fear, and that is okay.” Then you can ask yourself what a small next step might look like.

When fear becomes information instead of a stop sign, you get your power back.

I want to leave you with this question. If you knew you weren’t going to fail, what goals would you go after this year? Don’t let the story of fear stop you from finding out.

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