The Power of Doing What Scares You: Why Growth Lives in Discomfort

There’s something undeniably terrifying about stepping into the unknown, especially when it’s tied to your voice, your story, or your creative expression. I felt this deeply the moment I hit “record” on my first podcast episode and later, when I filmed my very first YouTube short. My heart raced, my voice shook, and my mind swirled with doubt. But on the other side of that fear was something far more powerful: growth.

The truth is, growth doesn’t happen in comfort. It lives in the shaky moments, in the deep breaths before you try something new, and in the willingness to risk embarrassment in exchange for evolution. Whether it’s recording your voice, stepping on a stage, writing a book, or sharing your truth online, doing something that scares you is a direct invitation to step into a more expanded version of yourself.

Fear is a signal. Not always of danger, but often of opportunity. When something scares you and excites you at the same time, that’s the sweet spot. It’s your soul nudging you to rise. When I launched my podcast, I wasn’t sure anyone would listen. I was worried I wouldn’t sound “professional enough.” When I created my first YouTube short, I cringed at seeing myself on camera. But here’s the thing: I did it anyway. And with every episode, every short, I’m not only going to be improving, I’m becoming more of myself.

We often wait until we feel “ready,” but the truth is, readiness is a myth. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite; it’s a result. You build it by doing the thing, by showing up messy, imperfect, and scared, and proving to yourself that you’re capable. Each time you stretch outside your comfort zone, you expand what’s possible for you. You rewire your brain to believe in your own resilience.

Doing scary things also builds authenticity. People don’t connect to polished perfection—they connect to realness. When you show your nerves, your stumbles, your growth in real time, you inspire others to do the same. You give them permission to be bold, to start, to try.

Growth isn’t supposed to feel safe. It’s supposed to challenge who you were so you can become who you’re meant to be.

So whatever “your first” is, your first podcast, your first video, your first live event, your first time sharing your story, know that the discomfort is part of the path. Don’t run from it. Walk straight into it with shaky hands and a determined heart. That’s where the magic is. That’s where the transformation begins.

Because in the end, the goal isn’t to eliminate fear. The goal is to move forward in spite of it.

And I promise you, on the other side of that fear is a version of you who’s more powerful, more confident, and more alive than you’ve ever known.

You just have to hit record.