Fear is a Liar

“Can you come with me?”

We had just done our longest hike yet on my Sedona retreat and we got to a place called the Subway Cave. Many of my clients didn’t think they would make the 6 miles there in the first place, so to get to this point they were content with their efforts.

I did have one brave soul who was looking at the ledge to go into the Subway Cave. Truthfully it was SKETCH, but we had come this far and she thought “Why not go a little further?”

Same girl, same. 

“Of course! That’s what I’m here for.”

This simple exchange sums up exactly why I started hosting retreats. Not because I’m fearless. Not because I have all the answers. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I know what it’s like to be terrified, to hesitate, to wonder if I’m capable. 

But I also know what happens when you do it anyway.

The first time I traveled solo, I wasn’t particularly brave—I was just naive enough to think I could figure it out. And you know what? I did. I had to! 

That was enough for me to find confidence in myself. I didn’t need to be an expert, I just needed to take the first step.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard women say, “Oh, I could never do that.” Whether it’s traveling alone, trying something new, or simply carving out time for themselves—there’s this deeply ingrained belief that it’s beyond reach. That they’re not “the type” to do bold things. That it’s TOO scary. 

But fear? Fear is a liar. It tells you that you’re not ready, that you’re not capable, that you need to wait until you’re “better” or “braver.” It convinces you that other people are built differently, that courage is something you either have or you don’t.

But here’s the truth: No one feels ready. No one feels brave enough at the start. The difference between the people who do the thing and the people who don’t? One of them took a shaky first step and found confidence in themselves along the way.

And with all this knowledge, the amount of times I found myself in an “Oh sh!t” predicament I discovered that it is so much easier to do life with people around you. So… 

That’s why I do this. 

My retreats and my program aren’t about making everything look picture-perfect. They’re about that moment—the one where someone hesitates, breath catching in their throat, wondering, Can I really do this? And I get to be the one who says, Yes. You can.

Sometimes that fear isn’t taking the step near a cliff, but taking time for yourself to be selfish and let someone else take care of you. 

To be vulnerable in allowing support into your life. 

Trust me, you can. You always could. You just need someone to remind you once in a while.

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign, if there’s something you’ve been telling yourself you “could never” do—consider this it. 

The fear isn’t proof you shouldn’t. It’s proof you should. It means you have something you deeply care about. And if you need a little hand-holding along the way? That’s what I’m here for. 

With lots of love and a little adventure, 

Tia ♥️