Lean Into Stress and Embrace Fear

One of the enduring goals of Beyond Fitness is that our gym will give you a life worth living. We coach our clients to higher levels of fitness with the hope that they go and actually do stuff with their fitness.

We love having you do 5Ks and marathons; Spartans and Strongman; the “bucket list” stuff, like skydiving and Gran Fondos or hiking the West Coast Trail. We can get you ready for any of it.

That doesn’t mean those things won’t be scary. If you’re doing a century bike ride this weekend, the nerves will probably start kicking in right about… wait… now.

How to Lean Into the Scary Stuff

Here’s how I’ve learned to lean into the scary stuff, embrace stress, and live a better life:

1. Understand That Your Body Doesn’t Know the Difference Between Fear and Excitement

Think about the pre–roller coaster ride jitters — fear and excitement feel the same.

When you start getting anxious before an event, ask yourself:

• Am I actually scared?

• Or am I just excited?

  
  

As adults, we’re not excited often. Our body’s default response to increased blood pressure, elevated heart rate, and surging adrenaline is fear. This can trigger a downward spiral when we should really be excited.

Here’s something a coach once told me that I’ve never forgotten. On the start line of the Nationals Road Race in Hamilton, Ontario — the same year the World Championships were raced on that course — I was surrounded by many of the fastest bike racers in the world. My coach crouched beside me as the clock was ticking down and said:

“It’s like opening your Christmas presents!”

Now I repeat that to myself before the start of every big workout or event.

2. Know That Anticipation Is Worse Than the Event

Our fear of what might happen is always exaggerated compared to reality.

Our “lizard brain” takes over, imagining the worst-case scenario, and we end up running at max heart rate for days before the event. By the time it starts, we’re exhausted from replaying every catastrophe in our minds — over and over again.

How to Reframe Your Fear

• Believe there’s no such thing as failure — only feedback.

• Write down your fears on paper.

• Face them one by one.

Once your mind expands, it can’t go back. You’ll desensitize yourself to fear and be ready to act.

Embrace the physiological changes — welcome them. These are the feelings of a winner. They help you focus, maximize your potential, and turn your many hours of training into results.

3. Put the Event in Perspective

Ask yourself:

• Will I remember this in a year? If not, it’s not worth stressing about.

• If yes, then it’s really worth doing.

  
  

Life is a series of moments. These standout moments — not the daily rhythm of breakfast, shower, and work — become your story.

Every time you push past your limits, take a risk, or conquer a challenge, you’re creating stories you can learn and grow from. In the end, these are the things that matter most.

Final Thoughts

Lean into the fear. Embrace the excitement. Create the moments you’ll remember. These are the milestones that make life worth living.

Call to Action: Want support in building the strength and mindset to take on your next challenge? Contact us at Beyond Fitness and let’s start your journey.

Want support with this? Contact us at Beyond Fitness and let us help you build your system.