We Scare Because We Care

Halloween may be a one-day affair for some, but for me it’s a month-long fright fest.

You see, I’m a movie buff. And growing up I was glued to the tube every Saturday night as local TV host Dr. Sanguinary showed old black and white movies from the golden age of horror.

Vincent Price, Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, and Boris Karloff were my movie stars, and I couldn’t get enough. 

But today, we don’t have to look for the scares, they come to us. Headlines about politics, the CORONA virus, the economy, or the state of our planet can get your heart racing not just in fear, but also anger, which is closely related. The chemical and physiological changes from both emotions include the release of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol to prepare our body for action; elevated heart rate and blood pressure; and a narrowed focus on our environment. Then, throw in the normal fears regarding your health, the future, your personal safety, or the well-being of your family and…YIKES!

So I’m not surprised when some of us are afraid of starting a new diet or exercise plan. We don’t want to add the fear of failure, or the fear of what others might say, to our already loaded plate of dread. And so, we allow fear to prevent us from taking action. 

I can relate. As a kid, I was most definitely scared of attracting the comments or attention of others. But, thanks to some good advice and a few early successes, I learned that just taking that first step, and not overthinking the outcome, could change my life. For example:

• I wanted to be a musician, so I performed my first public show at age 15, hardly knowing how to hold a guitar.
• I wanted to help people understand complex anatomy and biomechanics, so immediately following earning my Master’s degree, I began teaching at the university. No curriculum or experience.
• I wanted to change peoples’ perception of what the experience of a gym can be, so I opened the Bodysmith. No business background or plan, just a vision and passion for helping.

Could these be called foolhardy actions? Maybe by some…but if I waited till I was ready I might still be waiting. (Note: there is also a lot to learn from the mistakes of others, so don’t ever start a business by following my lead)

I’ve heard it theorized that people that watch scary movies are calmer under pressure in real-life situations because repeated exposures to a stimulus help produce a moderated response. So was that part of what helped me? Maybe… 

But, if you are thinking about taking care of your health but are hesitating because of fear, I have some advice: 

• Start now. Your health is ESSENTIAL, so just take the first step and start by eating less junk and drinking less alcohol. Exercise more by walking or doing some bodyweight exercises at home. Don’t get bogged down in details because something is most definitely better than nothing.
• Ask for help. In my experience, many people allow fear to hold them back from seeking the support they need. You probably know someone you can ask for help without feeling intimidated. Your’s truly included 🙂

So take the step. It’s not as scary on the other side as you think.

Yours,

~Coach Brad