Every now and then, life gives us a choice. We can stay comfortable and safe, or we can lean into something that scares us a little.

Most people think fear is a bad thing, but sometimes it’s just a signal that something exciting and meaningful is waiting on the other side. The truth is, your comfort zone might feel nice, but it can quietly hold you back. It’s like sitting in a parking lot while the road to adventure is right in front of you. Avoiding fear is often the same as avoiding joy.

My Scariest Moment

It happened in Moab, Utah, on my first real off-road trail called Hell’s Revenge. Even the name made my palms sweat.

There’s a section high enough that if you drove off, you’d total your Jeep for sure. Injury is certain. Death is possible. And it’s not flat either, so the whole time you’re climbing, your tires tilt left and right like you’re balancing on a dragon’s spine.

Within minutes, I was in full panic mode. My hands tingled, my chest got tight, and I could barely breathe. Convinced I might pass out, I slammed my Jeep into park and thought, forget this, I’m going back to Kansas.

That’s when my friends got out of their Jeeps and walked up to my window. No judgment. Just calm encouragement.

“You got this. We’re right here.”

They talked me through every inch of that climb. And when I reached the top, I felt alive in a way I never had before. I had faced my fear, and it changed something in me. That fear became joy. I couldn’t wait to try another trail.

Then there was Black Bear Pass, one of the most dangerous trails in America. The first time I was there, I was just a passenger. I was so afraid, I got out and walked. But after seven years of regret and plenty of practice on less terrifying trails, I went back and drove every inch myself. I can’t even describe how that felt.

In both of these cases, I nearly quit. But, if I had turned around, gone home, and watched other people’s adventures on YouTube, I would have missed out on some of the best moments of my life. And that, to me, would have been a far bigger tragedy than failing or even crashing.

Because here’s the truth:

You Don’t Have to Be Extreme

I’m not saying you should do something dangerous. Please don’t jump out of an airplane and say, “David McBee told me to do this!”

What I am saying is, don’t let fear decide what kind of life you’re going to have. When you do, you miss out on the very things that make life exciting.

So please, be brave. Do something that scares you. I promise it will make you feel amazing.

Turning Fear into Joy

This story is actually the inspiration behind my children’s book series, DJ’s Off-Road Adventures. In the first book, DJ has a panic attack and faces his fears. Kids tell me it’s helped them find courage to sleep over at a friend’s house, start a new school, or make new friends.

I turned my greatest fear into my greatest joy. And that story continues to help others find theirs.

Publishing that book might not have been as risky as driving on the edge of a cliff, but it was still scary. And I’m so glad I did it.

Your Turn

What’s something you’re afraid of?

Maybe it’s something you’ve always wanted to try, or something coming up that you know will stretch you.

Picture how you’ll feel when you finally face it. Even if you don’t succeed, think about the weight you’ll lift by no longer living in fear.