Every so often, in an article or an interview, someone describes me as “fearless.” In my opinion, that’s like calling me an idiot. Fear is a natural response. Without it, we wouldn’t survive. If you’re never scared, then you’ve either never been hurt or you’re completely ignorant. The idea that fear is something to deny is completely misguided.

Forget your emotions around fear for a second and look at the simple reality: It’s an energy source designed to increase performance. Adrenaline and the natural hormones your body creates when you’re scared are more powerful than any drug. The ability to harness it constructively, that’s the trickily part. Once you star to understand fear, it becomes something you can tap into. In my experience, fear usually prompts me to make really good decisions. I’d even go so far as to say that it gives me power. 

How do you use fear to empower yourself? You don’t fight it, and you don’t overanalyze it. Think too much about a frightening situation causes your mind to start chattering and it gets in the way of your body.

Laird Hamilton