Scared? Good. Here's what you do next.

The Ryan Hanley Show

As we stand on the brink of 2025, many of us feel a mix of excitement and trepidation. Fear often comes disguised as doubt, anxiety, or hesitation—but what if it’s actually a signal that we’re on the verge of something meaningful?

• Join 11,000+ leaders: https://go.ryanhanley.com
• Civilized Savage Book: https://civilizedsavagebook.com

In this episode, we explore how fear can be a catalyst for growth rather than a roadblock. Drawing on personal experiences, thought leader insights, Stoic philosophy, and Biblical wisdom, we’ll unpack actionable strategies to help you face your fears and make 2025 your most courageous year yet.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why fear is not a stop sign but a “vector for action” that signals personal growth.
• The three roots of fear: fear of failure, fear of judgment, and fear of success.
• How thought leaders like David Goggins, Brene Brown, and Jordan Peterson approach overcoming fear.
• Powerful perspectives from Stoicism and the Bible on managing fear and finding courage.
• Practical, actionable strategies to name, confront, and channel your fears into transformative action.

Key Takeaways

1. Fear Means Growth: If you’re feeling scared, it’s because you’re pushing yourself into new and challenging territory.
   • Quote: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” – Mark Twain
2. The Three Roots of Fear:
   • Fear of failure: Many avoid big goals because they’re afraid to fail, but as Jordan Peterson reminds us, “You’re going to pay a price for every bloody thing you do and everything you don’t do. You don’t get to choose not to pay a price.”
   • Fear of judgment: Eric Weinstein notes, “The problem isn’t taking risks, it’s the fear of people pointing out when you fail.”
   • Fear of success: Success often brings responsibility, status changes, and challenges, which can create resistance.
3. Powerful Strategies:
   • Name your fear and make it tangible. Write down both the consequences of overcoming it and the cost of not acting.
   • Take small, incremental actions to face what scares you most.
   • Use gratitude to combat fear by focusing on what you have instead of what you lack.
   • Seek accountability and encouragement from trusted peers.

Quotes from the Episode

• “What you are afraid to do is a clear indication of the next thing you need to do.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” – Winston Churchill
• “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
• “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

Action Steps

• Identify one fear you’ve been avoiding and commit to taking a small action to confront it this week.
• Share your fear with an accountability partner and discuss the steps you’ll take to move forward.
• Reflect on what your life could look like if you overcome your fear—and what it will look like if you don’t.

Let’s Connect

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need encouragement to face their fears. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Final Thought

Fear will always be a part of life—but it doesn’t have to be your master. Use it as a signal, a guide, and a motivator to push beyond your limits and into a year of growth, courage, and purpose.

Go deeper down the rabbit hole: https://linktr.ee/ryan_hanley