This is a different type of podcast episode . I wanted something that would inspire people after hearing so many clients share how much they were struggling , feeling overwhelmed , anxious and honestly defeated . This is for them , but also for you , if you feel the same way . Hi and welcome to Blackout the Noise a space for teens and young adults who are ready to quiet the noise of anxiety , self-doubt and overthinking and start building a life filled with confidence , courage and purpose . I'm Jessica Davis , a licensed therapist , mindset coach and the creator of the Courage Method . I specialize in helping teens and young adults with anxiety , overthinking and low self-esteem . If you want practical tools to help you in this fight , please download the Anxiety Survival Toolkit . You'll find the link in the show notes . Also , before we dive in , remember this podcast is here to support and guide you , but it is not a replacement for talking to someone in real life . If you're struggling with your mental health , please reach out to a therapist , and if you're in crisis , contact emergency services or a local helpline . You don't have to go through it alone . All right ,
let's cut through the noise and get started . If anxiety runs your life , this is the fight you're already in , and today I'll show you how to fight back .
Speaker 1There was a young person who said coach , I'm tired of this . Anxiety runs my life . I want freedom . The coach said step inside the ring . But I thought you'd give me strategies . You can have all the strategies . Without courage , nothing works . Courage comes first . Put on the gloves . Their hands shook as they pulled the gloves tight . Who am I fighting ? The coach pointed to the corner . Not another fighter , a mirror , their own reflection . This is a joke . This is the fight . Your opponent has always been you , your thoughts , your fears . Step forward . Their chest tightened , their mind screamed you can't do this . The coach roared Throw the punch . But they froze . What if I'm not enough ? What if I make it worse ? What if everyone's watching and I look stupid ? Those are just thoughts . Swing anyway , but what if Swing ? Finally , they threw the punch . Crack the mirror spiderwebbed . But then something happened . The cracks healed .
Speaker 1The mirror rebuilt itself clearer than before . Again , the coach shouted . This time the reflection whispered you'll never be good enough . Everyone will laugh at you . They step back . I can't . What if I fail ? Maybe I should just accept things the way they are . What if you succeed ? Swing .
Speaker 1They hesitated , then threw another punch . Crash More cracks . Think about your last anxious moment ? Wasn't it just like this fight ? The mirror rebuilt again . Now it showed every failure , every reason to quit . The arms felt heavy . Maybe anxiety is just who I am . Maybe some people just aren't meant to be brave . The coach stepped closer . Those excuses feel safe , don't they ? But they're keeping you trapped . What if I'm not ready ? You'll never
feel ready . This is where champions are made when you want to quit , but you swing anyway . They stood there , mind racing with a hundred reasons to stop . Finally , one more punch . The mirror exploded into a thousand pieces .
Speaker 1But here's a secret nobody tells you . Every time you shatter the mirror , it rebuilds . What would you do then ? That moment in the ring ? It's the same fight you face when you type a text but can't hit send . It's the same fight you face when you try to do something new but you let fear stop you . It's the same fight every day , when you raise your hand in class , but fear holds you back . When you post something on social media , then delete it because you're overthinking . What will people think when you're sitting at lunch alone wanting to join a conversation , but anxiety keeps you frozen ? When you're 24 and still living at home because applying for jobs feels impossible when you're lying awake at 2 am replaying every mistake you made that day . Every punch is courage . Every time
you move , the mirror cracks . But here's where most people lose . They think one punch is enough . It's not . Listen to me . Anxiety has already stolen enough your sleep , your confidence , your moments . Don't let it take anymore . You're already in pain . Get something out of it . If you're still listening , you're already different from most people . Most people quit when it gets uncomfortable , but you're still here . That tells me something about your heart . If you're still here , that means you're not just listening , you're in the fight . That's courage . Emma Stone thought panic attacks would end her career . Stone thought panic attacks would end her career , but she turned that fear into fuel for her Oscar-winning performances .
Speaker 1Kobe Bryant said fear is an illusion . He trained harder when his body screamed to stop , turned pressure into championships . Michael Jordan got cut from his high school team . Imagine
if he had quit right there . Instead , he used rejection as fuel to push him beyond what most people thought would be capable .
Speaker 1Different battles , same courage , same choices . To keep swinging the shattered glass was courage . But courage only matters if you keep swinging . So how bad do you want peace ? How bad do you want freedom ? Most people say they want it , but they don't want to step in the ring .
Speaker 1You are stronger than your to step in the ring . You are stronger than your fear . Step into the ring when you walk into school instead of staying home that's a punch . When you ask someone out despite the voice saying you'll be rejected , that's a punch . When you apply to college , even though your brain says you're not smart enough , that's a punch . When you audition for the part , when anxiety screams you'll humiliate yourself , that's a punch . When you start that business despite the voice saying you'll fail , that's a punch .
Speaker 1Every punch is courage . Every time you face it , the mirror shatters . Every crack is a win . Every swing makes you stronger . Listen , the mirror will always rebuild , but so will you . The gloves are waiting . Step into the ring If this message hits home for you . I want you to know something you don't have to fight this alone . That anxiety survival toolkit I mentioned . It's packed with practical tools to help you build courage in your daily life . Grab it for free in the show notes and remember courage isn't about feeling fearless .
It's about feeling the fear and choosing to swing anyway . Thank you so much for listening . Until next time time , keep moving forward , trust yourself and never forget you have what it takes to block out the noise .