When Fear Holds You Back: Strategies To Overcome It

This episode explores the powerful connection between fear and personal growth, encouraging listeners to confront their fears rather than avoid them. We discuss practical strategies to cultivate courage, learn from setbacks, and embrace life's challenges fully.

• Navigating personal fear through surgery and rehabilitation
• Understanding the individual nature of fear
• Tales of overcoming fear through pursuit of dreams
• Strategies for managing fear and anxiety
• Importance of self-care in confronting challenges
• Techniques for shifting mindset and self-coaching
• Role of mindfulness and deep breathing in overcoming fear
• Acknowledging emotional complexities in personal growth
• Encouragement to embrace small wins and progress
• Teaser for next episode on loss and strength

Transcript

Announcement: 0:01
If you have ever been told by someone that you’re not capable of attaining success, if you have made mistakes or lived in an underprivileged neighborhood, then this podcast is for you. You are now locked in to Struggle2Success. Struggle2Success aims to inspire individuals to navigate life’s challenges with courage, fortitude, and unwavering determination. So if you’re in your car, jogging, or somewhere else trying to find the calm in the storm, then join Struggle2Success airing every other Saturday. Remember, life is trials. Stay focused.

Sterling: 0:38
 Hello, wonderful people. Welcome to the first episode of the Struggle2Success Podcast in 2025. As I record this episode, my arm is once again in a sling due to a second surgery needed to repair the tear in my shoulder. I mention this because it ties directly into our topic today—fear. After 10 grueling months of therapy, I was informed that I needed another surgery to repair a tear in my rotator cuff. Once again, I found myself facing the unknown. Additional pain and more rehabilitation awaited me. The choice was clear: I could either confront my fear and proceed with the operation, or turn away and become a prisoner of my anxiety.

Sterling: 1:27
 In this episode, we’re going to confront fear and unpack some solid strategies to break free from it. First off, fear is personal and internal for every human being. No one else can feel the fear you experience. As the saying goes, it’s all in your head. Only you can get past the mental block. So how do you coach yourself to take that leap of faith?

Sterling: 1:50
 At 47 years of age, I took on what I thought would be the greatest challenge of my life—attending the part-time police academy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, alongside a group of cadets half my age. Yes, I felt out of my comfort zone at first, but as the year progressed, I found ways to turn the negative thinking around. Whereas the standard police academy ran for six months, the part-time police academy ran from January to December of 2022. It required a commitment of three to four days a week of intense training, in addition to me being a full-time correctional officer. My goal: to become a peace officer for the state of Pennsylvania. Reflecting on this journey, I often think about how I pushed through the fear, anxiety, and self-doubt. Just a few years prior, I received a pardon and faced rejection from a police department in 2019. Although I passed the physical and written exams—even crushed the scenario portion—I was still denied. Yet here I was, diving back in to chase my dream of being a first responder.

Sterling: 3:01
 Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a renowned psychiatrist, said that life boils down to two primary emotions: love and fear. Love leads to happiness and contentment, while fear can bring anger and anxiety. Finding love for change helped me generate positive vibes, even amidst setbacks. I felt contentment, which was a huge shift from my younger years, when fear of the unknown held me back and led me to make regrettable choices. Through this journey, I learned that making choices—right or wrong—is part of life. You won’t know the right choices unless you take the leap. That’s how you learn, reflect, and grow. But let’s keep it real: the emotional roller coaster can be intense. Guilt is far more complex than just being indecisive. It can leave you feeling out of control, especially when you worry about how others perceive you. But that’s shame. It’s usually just a projection of your own insecurities. Shift your focus back to your own feelings about your choices. Think about the risk—how will you feel if you make the wrong choice? More importantly, how will you grow from it? What lessons will you learn? Outcome is key for personal growth and resilience. In the end, I learned that the fear of making the wrong choice is nothing compared to the fear of never trying at all. Through love, growth, and the courage to make choices, we can transform our lives and tackle the challenges ahead.

Sterling: 4:37
 Here are some ways to cope with the fear of the unknown. Number one: don’t dwell on things you can’t control. Number two: accept that everyone handles the unknown differently. Number three: practice self-care—eat well, exercise, and get rest. Number four: limit your news consumption; it can be overwhelming at times. And number five: learn new skills to boost your confidence.

Sterling: 5:07
 As I navigated my journey to become a peace officer, I faced fears that threatened to hold me back. Here are some essential strategies that helped me tackle those fears. The first step is knowing exactly what’s scaring you. By pinpointing your fears, you can tackle them head-on instead of letting them loom over you. Don’t let negative thoughts run wild. Use affirmations like, “I got this. You can do this,” to shift your mindset and build confidence as you face challenges.

Sterling: 5:39
 Deep breathing exercises can work wonders when fear hits. Focus on slow, deep breathing to calm your body and regain control when feeling overwhelmed. Mindfulness is another game-changer. Being present and aware of your thoughts and feelings helps you manage your anxiety. It also allows you to respond to fear with clarity rather than panic. As you work through your fears, keep these points in mind.

Sterling: 6:08
 It’s totally normal to feel fear, and trying to suppress it can backfire. Acknowledge those feelings and work through them as part of your growth. Focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate the small wins and don’t sweat the setbacks. Growth comes in time, and every step forward counts.

Sterling: 6:35
 Managing stress is crucial for overcoming fear. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, staying active, and eating well. A healthy body supports a healthy mind. By incorporating these strategies into my life, I was able to confront my fears and embrace the challenges ahead. Remember, it’s okay to feel fear. What matters is how you respond to it. By fostering a mindset of love, growth, and courage, you can transform your experiences and come out stronger. Don’t let fear waste your time. As Harvey Mackay said, “Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back.” Join us in our next episode: Navigating Loss and Finding Strength. Until next time, take care and remember—life is trials. Stay focused.

Announcement: 7:34
Thanks for checking out this episode of Struggle2Success. To connect with the show, you can email us at struggle2success.p@gmail.com. Make sure you like and subscribe so that you never miss an episode. And remember—life is trials. Stay focused.