Transforming Fear

Grateful for the reminder of this truth–"any fear can be transformed into excitement by breathing fully into it." Intentionally breathing keeps me grounded and quiets my anxieties so that I'm willing to lean into change, risk, trust, and hope.

While I use this practice personally and work through it with my coach, it's something I have the joy of witnessing my coaching clients experience too. Fixed mindset loves to tell us “it’s too hard, you’ll never make it, you’re not ready, you don’t have enough, or even you’re not enough.” The struggle is real and we can play those stories in our head over and over.

Recently, one of my student athlete life coaching clients was preparing to compete in a nationwide cheerleading summit. As we were coaching together through intentionally breathing and getting in touch with her whole self-head, heart and body I watched fear transform to excitement and confidence. Partnering together as coach and client, she was able to name the thought that she was telling herself, identify her nervous feeling, and how it was making her show up shaky in her body as an athlete.

By the time we were finished she had reframed her thought to something believable and true which produced a new feeling of confidence and a sturdy posture as she went off to compete. The result—she did her best, had a blast, and her team took 3rd place at the summit!! Hours of hard work from her and her teammates, excellent coaches at the gym, parental support, determination and more all played a part as she showed up with a growth mindset to approach the big moment a little more fear<less than before!

Growth mindset matters, the coaching process works, and God has hardwired us with breath and wisdom we can tap into to move us forward with courage—it's not always easy, but the journey is worth it and we’re truly stronger together. Breathe fully today, friends!