People often ask me if I'm fearless. This is actually a very interesting question, because many perceive adventurers as fearless individuals who are unaffected by any danger. This is obviously not the case, and fear is often a healthy response which keeps us alive. Being completely fearless would lead to poor decision-making.
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I've probably been more afraid than most people. Trust me. However, I choose not to let fear control me. For example, when I was in Papua New Guinea, I was almost stabbed by a lunatic with a huge machete already on my second day in the country. The 1 meter blade missed my stomach by just a few centimeters, and the guy still chased me when I ran for my life. Of course I was terrified.
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Fear probably kept me alive in PNG, because the near death encounter made me hire a body guard, as well as buying my own huge machete. I was determined to accomplish my two solo ascents, but I had to make certain adjustments. Improvise and adapt. Always.
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Fear is good, but it has to be interpreted. Irrational fear is anxiety, which is different, and for no good. Whenever afraid, understand why, and make calculated decisions. Fear keeps you alive, and it makes you human. I'm not fearless, I'm just stubborn, persistent and a bit adventurous.
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What are you afraid of?
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#fear #no #excuses
