Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway: The Transformational Power of Facing What Scares You

Have you ever felt that mix of curiosity and dread bubbling in your chest when you think about stepping outside your comfort zone? Maybe you’ve seen photos of women with heavy packs smiling under the pines, or you’ve read about the healing power of nature, and you feel that pull. But just as quickly, your mind starts spinning:

What if I’m not strong enough? What if something happens? What if I fail?

You’re not alone.

Many of the women who reach out to me about joining a backpacking retreat start their emails the same way: I’m so interested, but I’m afraid. Afraid of the unknown. Afraid of being vulnerable. Afraid of what we’ve been conditioned to believe about who belongs in the backcountry.

Our culture and social media often amplify these fears, painting wilderness as a place of lurking danger—animals waiting to pounce, creeps in the shadows, the idea that “women don’t belong out there.” These narratives are powerful, and they’re designed to keep us small.

But here’s the truth: you can feel the fear and still take the step. And when you do, something extraordinary happens.

Growth Lives on the Other Side of Fear

A recent study published in the Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal explored how outdoor adventure experiences impact women’s self-perception and personal growth. The researchers found that when women engage in activities they initially feel anxious or fearful about—like backcountry hiking and overnight trips—they often experience profound transformation.

Facing those fears builds resilience, self-trust, and a more expansive sense of self.

Participants described how navigating uncertainty and calculated risk (under the guidance of an experienced leader) helped them:

• Feel more confident in their abilities

• Reframe fear as an opportunity

• Develop stronger bonds with themselves and others

• See themselves as capable and strong

This isn’t just about hiking. It’s about reclaiming your agency and rewriting the story you’ve been told about your limits.

Why Calculated Risk Matters

There’s no such thing as zero risk. Life itself is inherently unpredictable. But there’s a world of difference between reckless risk and calculated risk.

When you join one of my retreats, you’re stepping into an environment designed to help you grow without being thrown in the deep end alone. I’ve spent years learning how to prepare, lead, and respond to backcountry challenges. My role is to mitigate risks—through planning, preparation, and real-time decision-making—so you can focus on what you came for:

• Healing through time in nature

• Building resilience by trying something new

• Cultivating self-awareness as you watch your reactions and learn to trust yourself

That same research underscores that when women are supported to take these calculated risks, they often report the experiences as life-changing. They leave not just with memories but with an internal shift: If I can do this, what else am I capable of?

You Don’t Have to Wait to Feel Brave

Here’s what I want you to know: You don’t have to feel brave to begin.You just have to be willing to feel the fear and do it anyway.

Fear is not the enemy—it’s often the compass pointing you toward what matters. It shows you where you have room to grow, where you’re ready to heal, and where your old stories are no longer serving you.

Ready to Step Into Your Power?

If you’ve been considering joining a backpacking retreat but your fear keeps talking you out of it, consider this your invitation to say yes. Yes to your own growth. Yes to rewriting old narratives. Yes to proving to yourself that you are more capable, resilient, and powerful than you think.

I’ll be there every step of the way—helping you prepare, teaching you what you need to know, and guiding you through the experience with care and intention.

You don’t have to be fearless. You just have to be willing.

If this resonates, or you’d like to talk more about how it could look for you, reach out. Let’s explore what’s possible together. audrey@deeprootedwellnessandcreatives.com

Boulder, ladders and scrambles.. oh my!