Frightsome Fear

 by Indie Stone

Without a doubt, the paramount thought that overrides emotion before dropping down a mountain is fear; the thought of the worst and perilous final outcome. In mountain biking, the core discipline is descending close to vertically down a treacherous hill. The thrill is unrivalled, but the consequences are devastating - one delinquent move, you, the bike and your confidence will plummet downhill.

Some people, no doubt, such as legendary Fabio Wibmer, will swat these repercussions like flies, whereas some riders more human have a reoccurring lock that binds them in place. It will stubbornly ground them, and produce a sickening feeling in their stomachs - doubt is the only sentiment present.

The lock is fear, and the key to it is action.

Naturally, overcoming trepidation is not a spectator sport, such as football or rugby, however. Anxiety is like walking through a wild jungle - you know that there’s something that might bound out and eat you, but you don’t know when. You can’t just watch someone from the sideline and chant them on: it’s undertaking the challenge that really picks the binding lock and opens the door to the liberty of thrill, gnar and radness.

So don’t allow this to stomp the seed to all your progress you have created with the thing that you endure with, whether it be an extreme sport like mountain biking or snowboarding, a leisurely activity like horse riding or swimming, or even making the right move in chess. Rise up above the devouring fear inside you, and as Nike said, “JUST DO IT!”