Lean Into Danger!

“Courage is the complement of fear. He who is fearless cannot be courageous.” – Robert Heinlein

Courage is not the lack of fear.

Too often, we hide behind fear. Excuses to avoid discomfort, avoid conflict, avoid risk, avoid pain.

I’m heartbroken when I observe a life not lived. Take the chance, learn to dance, learn to give, and learn to live!

But people don’t. The stay where they’re comfortable. Where nothing can hurt them.

Life thrives in that narrow path between safety and danger; along that steep edge where it’s just a little bit scary. Always seeking safety is not living.

It’s not the money or the stuff that matters – it’s the experience. It’s growing older and having the cool stories to tell.

Years ago, when my youngest daughter feared the zip line, she cried and said she couldn’t do it. I squatted to look her in the eye and told her, baby girl, I know how awesome you will feel when you accomplish this. I also know that later tonight, when all the kids are laughing and telling their wonderful stories about the zip line, you’ll either be part of the story, or you’ll stand off to the side with no story to tell. She rode the zip line. All these years later, she’s ran every Spartan race with me and oh the stories we tell!

Only courage in the face of discomfort spawns the stories, and when you get right down to it, it’s the stories that matter.

Push yourself. Be fearless. Be courageous.

That’s where the magic happens!

Your effort, your choice, your life!

David Odle is a trainer, fitness enthusiast, and author. He spent seven years in the military, primarily in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a Spartan Race competitor, an avid fitness fan, and a 5k enthusiast. David's mission is to help people transform into better versions of themselves by tapping into their dormant capability. If you’d like to reach out to David, you can find him at www.davidodle.com.