Doing Things That Scare You (And Why It Pays Off)

You know what no one tells you when you start growing your career?

The scariest moments aren’t the ones where you fail, they’re the ones where you might actually succeed.

This past month, I moderated my first-ever in-person panel at Her Conference by Her Campus Media. The topic Women’s Sports and Women IN Sports. (A personal favorite of mine.)

I’ve spoken on IRL panels. I’ve moderated dozens of virtual ones. But this was my first time as the in-person moderator.

It felt like crossing something BIG off the career bucket list. ✅

But I want to share a quick story that made this moment feel even more full circle…

The Opportunity I Turned Down 😭

Back in 2019, I was invited to moderate a sports business panel at a conference in the Bay Area. It was a big deal to me because it was the first time I was ever invited to speak at a conference.

I had already worked at the NBA and EA. I had the credibility. The background. The voice. BUT I turned it down…

I told them I was busy. (I wasn’t.) I said the timing didn’t work. (It did.)

The truth was that I was afraid. Afraid of stumbling. Afraid of freezing. Afraid of being on stage and having NO IDEA what I was doing.

But deeper than that... I was afraid of doing it well. Because that would mean I might be asked AGAIN. And again. 😭 And I didn’t think I could handle the nerves, the worry, the fear. #helloanxiety

So I said no. And I regretted it the moment I hit send on the decline.

What Happens When You Avoid Fear 🫣

Here’s the worst part, though… avoiding the fear didn’t make it go away. It made it LOUDER.

I started second-guessing myself even more. And the worst part? My fear of public speaking grew. But I know I’m not alone in this fear.

77% of people experience some degree of anxiety or nervousness about public speaking (Source: Crown River Therapy). And public speaking routinely ranks as one of the top fears, sometimes even HIGHER than the fear of death. 😳 Plus:

• 44% of women and 37% of men report being afraid of public speaking.

• Only 8% of people with public speaking fears seek professional help, even though it can impact career growth and wages.

• Confidence increases with age. 69% of people over 45 feel confident in public speaking, compared to just 25% of those aged 16–24.

Turning down that opportunity created a lose-lose situation. I missed a big moment for my career AND I gave my fear more power.

Fast-Forward to Now 🎙️

Since then, I’ve chipped away at that fear. I’ve spoken at conferences. Moderated countless virtual panels. Delivered keynotes (which arguably is MUCH harder looking back on it 😅).

I decided to push through the nerves and just… showed up.

And recently, all of that preparation came together. I got to moderate a powerful, fun, insightful panel with some trailblazing women at Her Conference. You should follow or connected with if you’re in the sports & entertainment world: Alana Meraz (Founder of Latinx in Sports and Manager of Media Partner Promotions at NWSL), Shaina Wiel (Founder of Minorities in Sports), and Paige Northup Bright (Director of Marketing @ Gotham FC).

And you know we flowed, connected with the audience, and held it downnn. 💯

Was I still nervous backstage? 1 bajillion percent, but the difference this time was that the fear didn’t win.

4 Tips to Move Through Fear in Your Career 🚀

1) Name the fear. Then reframe it. Instead of “I’m scared of speaking,” try: “I’m scared of being judged.” Now you can prep around that.

➡ Action: Write down exactly what you’re afraid of. Then write a version of the story where it works out. ✍️

2) Take reps in smaller rooms. Practice the skill in low-stakes ways. Post content. Speak up in meetings. Volunteer to lead a session internally.

➡ Action: Find one space this week where you can practice the thing that scares you. 🚀 Practicing public speaking in small settings can reduce anxiety by up to 30% over time. Prepare for the moment like it’s already yours.

3) Confidence follows prep. When Her Conference came around, I was READY. I knew the flow, the content, and the people.

➡ Action: Prep your dream scenario. Even if it’s not booked yet. 🤩 90% of the anxiety felt before making a presentation stems from a lack of preparation (Source: Crown Counseling).

4) Reflect after you act. After your “scary” moment, write down what went well. This helps train your brain to remember success instead of fear.

➡ Action: Start a quick wins journal. Keep notes after each brave thing you do. 🥹

Your Turn 💬

So my friend, what are you NOT doing right now because it scares you? What opportunities (or content) are you brushing off with excuses? What are you avoiding because it might actually work?

If you’re stuck on a fear or opportunity you’ve been avoiding to do this year, I’d love to hear about it - join the chat here.

You got this,

P.S. If you’re looking for speakers (or know someone who is!) for upcoming conferences, panels, or workshops, especially on topics like:

• Personal & professional branding

• Navigating careers in sports, media & entertainment

• Community building & networking with confidence

• The future of work, NIL, athletes in business, salary negotiations, or the creator economy

➡️ Explore my speaking experience + topics.