How I Faced My Greatest Fear (And How You Can Do It, Too) | Episode 17

We all have fears. Some are small, others feel overwhelming, holding us back from opportunities, growth, and even our true potential. For me, my biggest fear was public speaking.

I remember growing up with this fear deeply ingrained in me. When I ran for student council president, I dreaded the campaign speeches, as nothing came out of my mouth despite my best efforts to prepare. I didn’t win the election, and I also convinced myself that speaking in public was just not for me. Years later, during my thesis defense, the fear still gripped me. I could barely say “Good morning” before nearly fainting and passing the presentation to my group. I saw every opportunity to speak as a potential failure, and for a long time, I let this fear dictate my actions.

Yet, despite this fear, I found myself creating content—one small step at a time. I started with short reels, where I could record and re-record until I was comfortable. Now, I am pushing beyond my comfort zone by offering coaching on-air and conducting interviews on my podcast. I first started with a Filipino podcast, where I felt secure speaking in my native language. After three months, I decided to take on an even greater challenge by transitioning to an English podcast, allowing me to expand my reach and serve more people.

That’s why I believe we can take action even when we’re afraid. I’m excited for you to discover what’s possible on the other side of your fears, too.

Overcoming my fear wasn’t about suddenly becoming fearless—it was about understanding fear itself and learning how to work with it. Here’s what changed my perspective:

1. Knowing Who I Want to Become

I asked myself: Who do I truly want to be? I didn’t want to be someone held back by fear. I wanted to be someone who could share knowledge, inspire, and serve others. Sharing what’s helped me is how I express my love and care for others—it’s my way of giving back. Recognizing this vision gave me the motivation to face my fear rather than avoid it.

2. Knowing Who I Already Am

Fear comes from the voices in our head warning us of rejection, failure, or proof that we’re not enough. But knowing I’m already loved, worthy, and enough sets me free. I’m no longer attached to outcomes of approval and success for my self-worth. That’s what gives me courage—because nothing, not mistakes or opinions, can diminish who I am. From this place of freedom, I can do what I love and serve those ready to receive it.

3. Making Fear My Ally

I stopped seeing fear as the enemy and started seeing it as a guide. Fear is natural—it’s our brain’s way of protecting us from the unfamiliar. But beyond the first alert, it often turns into self-sabotage. The truth is, growth lives outside our comfort zone. Fear points us to where we’re meant to grow, reminding us of who we can become when we choose courage over comfort.

Fear isn’t just a reaction to the outside world—it comes from our thoughts. Our thoughts shape our feelings, which influence our behavior and ultimately our results. When we let fear-driven thoughts take over, we avoid action, reinforcing the belief that we “can’t” do something.

Our brain is wired for survival, not success. It perceives unfamiliar situations as unsafe, triggering fear. While this instinct can be helpful in real danger, it holds us back when it comes to personal growth, career advancement, and meaningful relationships. The key is recognizing when fear is protecting us and when it’s limiting us.

There are common mental patterns—the "Saboteurs"—that reinforce fear and keep us stuck.

These thought patterns keep us in a cycle of fear, stress and self-doubt. But there’s another side of us—the Sage—that sees things differently and helps us thrive.

From this calm state, we can tap into the part of the brain that is resourceful, creative, and confident. This is where gratitude, joy, connection and enthusiasm live—the qualities that help us thrive in every area of life. This is our Sage, and this is what helps us shift from fear to confidence and action.

To shift from Saboteur to Sage, do these three simple steps:

1. Catch and Label the Saboteur
Instead of believing every fearful thought, notice and name it. Say something like, “That’s just my Judge speaking.” This small act of awareness helps reduce its power over you.

2. Celebrate Catching the Saboteur
Each time you catch a Saboteur, celebrate it—maybe with a smile, a quiet “good job,” or a little victory dance. This instantly lifts your mood and stops the emotional spiral, saving you time and energy.

3. Focus on One Physical Sensation
Anchor yourself in the present by tuning in to one physical sensation—your breath, the sound of birds, or your feet on the ground. This keeps you grounded instead of getting lost in stressful thoughts. From this calm state, the powers of the Sage are within your reach.

I used to believe I had to be fearless before taking action. But the truth is, action comes first—confidence follows. With practice, fear fades, skills grow, and what once felt hard becomes natural. That’s how we move from struggle to ease, from hesitation to flow.

This journey of overcoming fear has been a path to deep personal growth, greater self-awareness, and a stronger ability to serve others. I’m still on that path—it's a lifelong process. And the more I rise above fear-driven thoughts, the more I find myself able to guide and support others in doing the same.

Imagine a life where fear no longer holds you back. A life where you feel free to speak up, take action, and step into your full potential. What would that look like for you?

If you’re ready to move past self-doubt and discover the mental patterns that have been holding you back, I invite you to explore your own Saboteurs and strengthen your inner Sage.

Let’s work together to uncover what’s been stopping you—and create a path toward authentic confidence and success. Book a free saboteur discovery session today and start stepping into the life you’re meant to live.

00:00 - Introduction

01:13 - My Biggest Fear

07:07 - Knowing Who I Want to Become

08:02 - Knowing Who I Already Am

09:34 - Considering Fear as a Friend

13:23 - How Fear Can be a Gift

14:27 - Understanding the Nature of Thought

17:01 - The Saboteurs

18:05 - Three Areas of Judgment

19:34 - The Accomplice Saboteurs

23:10 - The Sage

27:32 - What Can You Do?

35:55 - Repetition, Confidence, and Self-Actualization

37:46 - It's Time to Face Your Fears