Standing Up to Fear

By Nikki Stone HERWriter

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Because I was afraid of injuries, doing triple flips fifty feet in the air was no easy feat for me. I’d be a fool not to have fears. I think that most people would be fearful of the prospect of injuries that could come from falling out of the sky with skis on. And it helped to know that this fear was normal.

I came to realize that the times I was actually getting hurt were when the fear was absent. Fear made me cognizant of all the hazards that could be lurking around the corner. I could rationally think through all the things that might go wrong, and make sure I was prepared for them. It was the times I was most fearful that I was actually the safest.

Fear is a natural emotion and it is okay to admit that things scare us. Fears can actually help us to be alert; they keep us on our toes. Remind yourself that everyone has fears. By having them you are more aware of the consequences and more able to avoid them.

Today, write down the things you have been fearful of in the past, and how being cognizant of your fear has actually helped put you on your toes. Remember that the butterflies in your stomach are just readying you for the challenge. Interpret the added adrenaline that accompanies excitement—or fear—as a boost of energy to help you concentrate and perform better. What fear are you going to stand up to today?

********** Motivational Weight Management Tip **********

My experience of working with the Biggest Loser contestants and Symtrimics has inspired me to leave motivational diet, health, and wellness tips at the end of all of my blogs. These tools will be driven from the actual advice shared in my weekly motivational Transformation Talks. This week’s tip: Remember that a diet is a slow process. Take it one day and one step at a time and don’t continually focus on the outcome. Each step is a step closer than you were before.

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Nikki Stone won Olympic gold after she overcame a near career-ending spinal injury to win America’s first gold medal in the sport of Aerial Skiing. She was honored with the task of helping train the current Olympians on overcoming distractions, dealing with pressures, and harnessing confidence going into the Vancouver Olympics. And most recently, she was asked to be the motivational expert for a new Biggest Loser regional program.

Stone now works as a motivational speaker and recently authored the much-talked-about inspirational book When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How to Stick Their Necks Out (with contributors Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, Tommy Hilfiger, and more). For more information, please visit www.WhenTurtlesFly.com and www.NikkiStone.com.

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.