I'm Terrified, I Don't Want to be Doing This!

"I want to do jumps and parks, but it's so scary!" I hear this all the time from skiers and boarders who want to start riding the park. They aren't wrong; it's super intimidating to stare down park features for the first time. I'll be honest, I'm scared every time I hit a jump. 

Big air at the BMBW carnival a few years ago.
The deck on this table was 50 feet, with big consequences.

Fear is inevitable. It's also important. It keeps us from falling off high things or setting ourselves on fire. I joke, but being scared gives us respect for the consequences of our adventures. A mountaineer from the golden age named Hermann Buhl said, "Mountains have a way of dealing with overconfidence," and I love the quote. If we lose respect for the seriousness of what we are undertaking, the hill can eat our lunch. 

Hermann Buhl

Do you guys remember the clothing brand "No Fear"? I thought it was the coolest, and it fit the vibe of early XGames. "Extreme" sports were just becoming mainstream, with the general public being exposed to skiing, base jumping, skateboarding, etc After a few years of experience, older me tends to think 'No Fear' is bullshit. We can't wish away our fears. 

Screen cap from a cork 900 at Breck. I could barely feel my legs
coming up to the lip.

A skier named Troy Podmilsak, had a moment of honesty that I want to share. He was about to take his run in the big air competition at the XGames. A reporter asked him why he was shaking; was he cold? His answer: "I'm terrified, I don't want to be doing these tricks." I loved it because it showed that even the incredible athletes we admire are human, just like us. BTW, he went on to land a 2160. That is six revolutions! Here's the link: I'm Terrified

We will talk more about how to get past the barrier fear presents. Today, the important message is that it is OK to be scared. It's normal to be scared. Everyone gets scared. We can't judge ourselves for our fears. This idea doesn't apply only to skiing or other sports. Lots of life events are scary. For example: getting cancer, taking on a new job, buying a house, having kids, or going outside in Ohio in January. The important thing to realize is that those feelings are normal. Recognizing and accepting that fear is unavoidable is the first step in not letting it hold us back from our goals. No Fear? Nah, fighting that voice in our head telling us to go to the car instead of sending it is what makes it good. 

Fortitudine Vincimus, 

Ryan