One Fear Per Year

You’re not too young.

You’re not too late.

You’re just scared.

(And that’s okay.)

When I asked Genesis Pirolo about fear, she said:

🫣 “I still shake in my heels before I go on stage.”

But then she said something IMPORTANT.

💥 “My passion is bigger than my fear.”

Genesis was 18 when she gave her first speech—in front of her high school. And she almost didn’t do it. She was terrified. But she took a breath.(Then another.)

And gave it her all.

Now?

She helps other students do the same. But it wasn’t just that speech. She told me a story about being 21, shaking in her boots again…when a two-time Olympic gold medalist walked into the room.

Everyone froze. She almost did too.

But instead? She asked for five minutes of her time.(Just five.)

That five minutes turned into a mentorship.

A client.

A friend.

A legacy.

And that’s what this whole episode is about—

✨ Walking through fear.

✨ Making the introduction.

✨ Serving with no expectation.

✨ And letting faith be your confidence.

Genesis didn’t wait until she “felt ready.” She took the next right step—scared and shaking—and changed the entire direction of her life.

📣 What’s the five-minute conversation you’ve been avoiding? Because your never know what might be on the other side of that convo.

👋 Follow The Transformational College Experience for more leadership content

#FearlessLeadership #OneFearPerYear #StudentSuccess #BoldMoves #NextGenLeaders

💭 “I thought I was a failure,” Sid McNairy told me.

 Not because he hadn’t done enough…

 But because even after receiving the World Peace Award—he still didn’t feel like it was enough.

 Not until his wife asked:  “What’s your greatestaccomplishment?”

 And Sid answered: “Me. I am.” After a long mental journey to get there. 

His accomplishments are vast:

He’s coached college football.

Taught yoga at the White House.

Spoken to NFL & NBA athletes and Fortune 500 execs.

Written 10+ books.

And yet…

The fear of not being enough still whisperedbehind it all.

But Sid didn’t run from that voice. He listened.

🧘‍♂️ He meditated.

🗣️ He questioned his own thoughts.

🫶 And he practiced surrender.

(Which, let’s be honest—is waaaaay harder than it sounds.)

He lost his sight twice.

Walked through deep physical and emotional valleys.

But every time, he came back stronger.

More centered.

More peaceful.

Because peace isn’t passive.

It’s a choice.

A practice.

🧠 “Fear is an illusion,” he told me.

🌀 “It’s the barrier around what you think youknow.

Step through it—and something new is waiting.”

This conversation was full of wisdom.

Here’s what stuck with me most:

🔹 Your thoughts are not always facts.

🔹 The goal isn’t to look good—it’s to be real.

🔹 Peace isn’t the absence of fear. It’s what we build in spite of it.

So today, ask yourself:

What would change if you stopped chasing “good enough”…

And just decided—you already are?

#OneFearPerYear #Leadership #OvercomingFear #InnerPeace#PersonalGrowth

“That thumping in your chest?

It’s not your heart. It’s your dreams.”

When Ray told me this story, I got chills.

He was the shyest kid in class. (Hid in a bucket in 3rd grade so he didn’t have to talk to anyone… literally.)

He had one friend for years. He didn’t speak up. Didn’t shine. Just… disappeared into the background.

But then—Mr. Huber showed up. His 5th grade teacher. The kind of teacher who doesn’t just teach…He sees you.👀

Really sees you.

“Ray, I know your secret. And it’s safe with me.”

He made Ray the head writer behind the class clown. He told other kids, “Ray’s funny.” He gave him a role in the school play.

But the night before the show? Ray panicked. 😰

He told Mr. Huber, “I think I’ll be sick tomorrow.”

And that’s when Mr. Huber said those unforgettable words:💡 “That thumping in your chest?

It’s not your heart. It’s your dreams.”

So Ray showed up. He forgot his lines. He stood frozen in front of 217 strangers. Then he bowed…Made something up…And the audience went wild.🔥

“You didn’t freeze,” Mr. Huber told him. “Now you’re free.”

That moment changed his life. He went on to become a stand-up comic.

Made a living on stage. Learned the power of humor to turn fear into freedom.🎭

And now? He teaches others how to lead with laughter—Because when you laugh? Fear disappears. Even if just for a moment.

Here’s what I’ll never forget from Ray:

🧠 Ask: “Is this a thought… or a fact?”

💬 Be careful how you speak to yourself.

😅 And remember—one laugh can clear a sky full of clouds.

So here’s your reminder today:

Fear doesn’t mean stop. It might just mean…You’re standing on the edge of your dream.

🚪Walk through it.

Who was your “Mr. Huber”? Or better yet—Who can you be that for today?

#OneFearPerYear #Storytelling #OvercomingFear #HumorHeals #PersonalGrowth #BraveNotPerfect

“Every day is a fear fest.”Meet Louis Katz—former IT business owner turned keynote speaker, courage coach, and Chief Courage Catalyst at The Courage Inside.After 22 years running a successful tech company, Louis did the unthinkable:He sold it all… to pursue his real calling—helping others lead with courage, live with resilience, and step out of their comfort zones (with a laugh along the way).In this episode, we talk about:💬 Fear of starting over💬 Fear of being seen as a beginner💬 Fear of being funny and taken seriously💬 How to show up before you feel ready💬 And why jumping out of an airplane might be his 2024 fear to face 😅But don’t let the jokes fool you—Louis brings real insight to the fear conversation. His message is clear: Courage doesn’t always look heroic. Sometimes it looks like sending a cold DM, starting a business in your 50s, or simply admitting you’re scared.🔥 “You don’t have to saw your arm off to prove you’re brave. Sometimes courage is just sending the email.”If you’ve been thinking about making a bold move—or even a small one—this is your sign.🌐 Learn more: thecourageinside.com#OneFearPerYear #LouisKatz #KeynoteSpeaker #TheCourageInside #PublicSpeaking

“You don’t have to walk through fear… if you catch the thought early enough, maybe you don’t even have to feel it.”

This episode is for the high achievers, the performers, the ones who seem “fearless” on stage.

Scott Bloom has hosted events for Pfizer, FedEx, Verizon, IBM—you name it.

He’s not just a comedic keynote speaker and emcee with 30+ years of experience… he’s the go-to guy for Fortune 500 brands who want connection, levity, and laughter that lands.

But what happens when the audience disappears?

When 2020 hit, Scott was forced to reinvent himself—from live stages to a laptop screen.

What followed wasn’t just technical overwhelm—it was full-blown fear.

💬 Panic attacks.💬 Insomnia.💬 Imposter syndrome.💬 Fear of never being hired again.

In this raw and honest conversation, Scott shares:

➡️ Why his biggest fear wasn’t the loss of gigs—but losing his confidence

➡️ How he rebuilt himself through yoga, meditation, therapy, and one small step at a time

➡️ His advice for handling “monkey mind” and negative self-talk

➡️ The surprising thing he’s afraid of this year (💔)

This one’s for the performers. The givers. The ones who hold it together until the unexpected blind sides them.

🎧 Listen and enjoy this brilliant episode!

🔗 Connect with Scott: https://www.scottbloomconnects.com/

#OneFearPerYear #Podcast #ScottBloom #Fear #Mindset #KeynoteSpeaker

💬 I sat down with Carla Johnson for this episode—and wow. She inspired me with her stories of facing fear head on. ✨We dove right in:I asked her, “What’s been your relationship with fear?”Carla shared how a defining moment came when her father battled cancer. Before he passed, he told her:“Don’t live with regrets.”That simple advice shifted everything.Instead of letting fear drive her life, she learned to move it to the backseat.(Still there, just not steering.)🌍 She and her husband made bold choices—like quitting their jobs to backpack around South America for a year.They faced scary moments (like narrowly missing an armed robbery in Ecuador) but lived with more gratitude and presence because of it.Carla said it best:“You don’t face fear sitting on your couch.”Movement is always the answer.When you feel stuck, the couch will call your name.But growth? Life? They live outside your comfort zone.💬 Carla’s advice for anyone stuck in fear:➜ Jump forward in your mind. Picture yourself 10 years from now.➜ Would you regret not trying?➜ Make a list—not of what could go wrong—but of everything that could go right.And start small:➜ Strike up a real conversation with a stranger.➜ Look someone in the eyes and genuinely ask how they’re doing.➜ Take one tiny step outside your bubble today.Every step builds your “courage muscle.” 💪When I asked Carla the opposite of fear, she said:Curiosity.Because you can’t be afraid and curious at the same time.🌟 Recently, she faced a new fear: climbing Mount Fuji.She felt the doubts creep in—what if I’m not strong enough?But she moved anyway.And because she said yes to fear, she stood above the clouds, watching the sunrise over the world.If you take anything from this episode, let it be this:Move while you’re scared.Live with no regrets.One foot in front of the other.Thank you, Carla, for reminding us:A bold life is built choice by choice, step by step, beyond the walls fear tries to build.💭#OneFearPerYearMore about Carla:As the world’s leading Innovation Architect, Carla Johnson’s been breaking the status quo all her life. In 20 years of working with leaders, she’s learned that the safest bet is often the riskiest move. Through years of research and authoring numerous best-selling books, she’s developed frameworks and processes that teach people how to redefine what innovation means in their company, and then equips teams to make innovation everybody’s business.Find her at https://www.carlajohnson.co/

Have you ever meet someone on Zoom…and then seen them in real life and think—Wait… you’re real?!That was Pasha Marlowe for me.A face I’d seen through the screen,a voice that challenged me to do something outrageous:🎤 Stand-up comedy…One of the fears I've faced that I get asked about the most!And Pasha?She didn’t just help me get through it—she helped me look at my emotional pain in a different way, through a unique lens using HUMOR.She didn’t tell me “how to tell a joke.”She showed me how to turn trauma into a message.Pain into punchlines.Grief into something that could make the room laugh—and maybe even heal.That’s what made her program so powerful.Not the jokes.But the fact that it allowed me to look at painful events in a different way. To reframe experiences in a way that empowers!What pain are you still scared to put a mic to?And what would it look like to step into it? More about Pasha:She is a Neurodiversity Speaker, Consultant, and Coach.* 30+ years-professional experience as a therapist, relationship coach, and consultant.* 5+ years-global DEIAB speaker/trainer for organizations and universities who want to create culture transformation through the lens of neurodiversity, accessibility, and inclusion.* Lived experience as a multiply-neurodivergent person and mother of 3 ND adult children. Learn more about her and her services: https://www.pashamarlowe.com/#OneFearPerYear

I recently sat down with yoga teacher and radiant soul, Cara Tracy, and she said something that’s still echoing in my head: “The opposite of fear isn’t calm. It’s action.”

Cara shared how fear has followed her for most of her life—from the little things (podcasts, public speaking) to the deeper fears of saying the wrong thing or not being good enough.

But here’s what makes her story so powerful:

🌀 She felt it all—and still showed up.

🌀 She became a yoga teacher despite fear of speaking.

🌀 She’s now publishing a guided joy journal that’s been years in the making.

And when asked what helped her start?

She said:

➤ Letting go of perfection

➤ Over-preparing less, trusting more

➤ Remembering that her audience didn’t need perfect—they needed presence

So, if you’re waiting to be “ready”… let this be your reminder:💡 You don’t need to crush the fear.

You just need to move one step forward.

(Cara, you’re a light. Thank you for reminding us that courage isn’t loud—it’s consistent.)

#onefearperyear

More about Cara Tracy:

Some people chase joy. Cara creates it—the kind that’s purposeful, present, and passed around like sunshine on a cloudy day.

Cara is part speaker strategist, part yogi, and soon, the inspired author of Joy 365: The Journal. She lives by her mantra: choose joy daily, share it freely, and be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people.

With over 30 years in the meetings and events industry, Cara is the Exclusive Talent Strategist at BigSpeak Speakers Bureau, where she works closely with their roster of exclusive speakers to support their growth, visibility, and long-term success.

She discovered Kundalini Yoga as a way to manage stress and quickly fell in love with its transformative power. Now a certified teacher, she shares simple, grounding practices that help others find calm, clarity, and balance in their daily livesLater this year Cara will launch Joy 365: The Journal, a guided journey to help others discover joy in everyday moments—from a mid-afternoon coffee break to nature walks to spontaneous acts of kindness. The journal is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and celebrate life’s small wonders.

In her free time, Cara can be found painting kindness rocks, hiking Arizona’s desert trails, or spending time with her husband of 35 years, Paul. Whether she’s making a new friend at barre class or leading a breathwork session for her coworkers, Cara’s mission is the same: to help people feel seen, supported, and joyful. Follow her on Instagram @azjoyfinder or visit her website at joy365journal.com to learn more.

You don’t always need confidence.(Sometimes you just need five minutes of courage.)When Dr. Carolyn told me this, I felt it in my bones.She created a simple yet life-changing method called B.F.F.—Breathe. Focus. Fierce action.It was born out of survival.She stood in line at the Salvation Army, terrified.Not knowing what was next.Knowing only one thing: She couldn’t go back.So she looked at the clock and whispered:“Okay… just five minutes. I can do five.”That decision?Led to food.Then shelter.Then school.Then a career.Then speaking on stages like the United Nations.Then helping 65 women launch businesses.Dr. Carolyn didn’t erase fear.She befriended it.Her word for the opposite of fear?Courage.And she reminds us:“Sometimes you have to borrow the light someone sees in you… until your own light ignites.”So if you’re frozen right now—by life, by the unknown, by what’s next—Take a breath.Focus.Move forward for five minutes.(That’s it.)#onefearperyear More about Dr. Carolyn Colleen:🔹 Award-Winning Author | International Speaker | Executive Leader | HumanitarianShe helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations turn adversity into opportunity—5 minutes at a time.As the founder of the FIERCE Foundation and FIERCE Network, her mission is to empower underrepresented women and children worldwide to achieve generational self-sufficiency through education, access, and community.She's also the owner of Acton Academy Midwest, a private STEM entrepreneurial school that fosters real-world learning, critical thinking, and servant leadership.https://carolyncolleen.com/

Ryan Estis—entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and someone who knows a thing or two about turning fear into fuel--dives deep in this episode.

Get ready to take notes, because we covered:

➜ Fear of Failure (and how it keeps us stuck in the “safe zone”)

➜ Limiting Beliefs (a.k.a. the false stories we tell ourselves when we’re scared)

➜ The reality that change can be terrifying—but still worth every step.

➜ Why “the pain of staying the same” can eventually outweigh “the fear of the unknown.”

(And guess what? We talk about that heart-stopping moment when you realize you want more out of life—whether it’s switching careers, launching a business, or finding your authentic voice after a major life shift.)

Favorite takeaway: The opposite of fear? Love. Because where fear shrinks us, love expands us—letting us bet on ourselves, even when we don’t have a crystal ball.

Ryan also gave us the best reminder: Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Stretch that “courage muscle” every day. Because every “What if I fail?” has a bolder twin: “What if I never try?”

If you’re looking for a sign to break free and chase what lights you up—THIS. IS. IT.

What’s one fear you’re ready to face head-on, starting today?

(Spoiler alert: your biggest breakthroughs might be waiting on the other side of that “impossible” leap.)

#onefearperyear

More about Ryan:

Ryan’s work as one of the top inspirational sales speakers empowers individuals and organizations to leverage change as a catalyst for growth by embracing a human-centered approach to sales, leadership and life. A former Fortune 500 Chief Revenue Officer, he now serves as a globally recognized sales and leadership expert, bestselling author and entrepreneur.

https://go.ryanestis.com/