“There will be times when standing alone feels too hard, too scary, and we’ll doubt our ability to make our way through the uncertainty. Someone, somewhere, will say, ‘Don’t do it. You don’t have what it takes to survive the wilderness.’ This is when you reach deep into your heart and remind yourself, ‘I am the wilderness.‘” - Brene Brown
Hello friends, both old and new,
It's been an incredible journey since we moved the Scare Your Soul newsletter to Substack in July 2022.
Each week, we've shared stories, science, and challenges designed to help you live more courageously. And wow, have we grown!
In just the past two months, our community of brave souls has increased by an astonishing 20%.
To celebrate this exciting milestone and to extend a warm welcome to all the new faces joining us, I thought it was the perfect time to reshare the original "welcome" newsletter. Consider this your refresher course on who we are, what we stand for, and the exhilarating adventures we have in store for you.
Whether you've been with us since the beginning or are just embarking on this journey, we want you to know how thrilled we are to have you as part of our tribe.
Your presence here is a testament to your commitment to living boldly and embracing courage in all aspects of life.
So, if you're a seasoned Scare Your Soul veteran, consider this a heartfelt "welcome back." And if you're new to our community, get ready to dive into a world where fear takes a backseat and brave action reigns supreme.
Without further ado, let's revisit Scare Your Soul and set the stage for the incredible journey ahead...
I’m Scott Simon.
Five years ago, my doctor told me that I most likely had a brain tumor.
I had been gradually losing my hearing to a constant ringing in my left ear. It puzzled everyone, including my doc.
And after giving forth a few vials of blood, he called me. “Given how localized this is, and with the results of your tests, I am concerned that you may have a tumor in your brain’s left hemisphere. Let’s schedule an MRI as soon as we can.”
I hung up and frantically dialed Cleveland Clinic's radiology department. They informed me that would be two weeks before I could fit into their schedule.
I had to wait two weeks.
During that fortnight, as you can imagine, my mind ran absolutely wild. I visualized what it would look like to have my skull opened on the operating table. I heard my family's weeping as my casket was rolled into my funeral. And I began to fantasize about how I would live out the time until my new and untimely end.
Then it all came to me.
With little time left, I would get on the road.
Travel. Be brave in spreading the Scare Your Soul message about the power of living a courageous life.
I could literally see myself speaking on stage and signing books. Walking down strange alleys in foreign cities and having conversations with strangers late into the night.
I tossed away my old worries about disappointing my family with my choices, fear of looking silly to others or feeling regret.
It all felt very clear and very right.
And then the test results came back.
The outcome was a good one.
No tumor!
I was overjoyed!
The journey since has been a wild one, full of ups, downs, and insights. Thankfully, I don’t have a tumor.
I am, however, continuing to go deaf from a condition called tinnitus. (The ringing is getting louder and now affecting both ears.)
That said, I was profoundly impacted by those visions of a passionate, adventurous, meaning-filled life.
Crisis clarified everything. When I knew that my time was short, a life of courage and meaning opened up like an oyster into my awareness.
And here is the truth, my friend.
Life is short.
We don’t need a brain tumor to counsel us that every day is precious. That we have choices of whether to push forward or recede.
That we can either engage with unknown and potentially-risky opportunities or fade into our numbed-out comfort zone.
Let’s choose joy.
The choice is yours.
There are a few guarantees in the world, but here is one: being more courageous is a key to greater happiness, connection, and confidence.
So why do so few people actually maintain a consistent courage practice? Why is it so hard to start being braver?
It’s not because we don’t see the value.
It is because we are afraid.
Afraid of failure.
Afraid of change.
Afraid that we will make the wrong choices.
Afraid of what others might think.
The very thing that we know we need to overcome - FEAR - is the thing that stops us in our tracks before we even begin.
But there is a way forward.
There is a way to pursue the beauty of the adventure that is our lives, and to do so with more bravery, excitement, and zest.
To push ourselves and others. To be part of a supportive community. To grow beyond our dreams and to give back fully.
To live a life of both meaning and adventure.
This Week’s Scare Your Soul Challenge: Share One Brave Thing You’re Doing Right Now
Intention is powerful, and words have the ability to move mountains. But it's the small, daily, consistent ACTIONS that truly transform our lives and the world around us.
And here's a truth I firmly believe: If you accept the invitation to step into courage, even in the smallest of ways, your life will change in profound and beautiful ways.
I'd bet my last dollar that you're already doing something brave, whether you realize it or not. Every member of our community is taking courageous steps, big and small, each and every day.
Take Joel, for example, who recently mustered up the courage to have a difficult but necessary conversation with his boss about his work-life balance. Or Alina, who's been facing her fear of public speaking by volunteering to lead presentations at work. And then there's Gary, who's been bravely vulnerable in sharing his struggles with anxiety with his loved ones and seeking support.
These are just a few examples of the incredible acts of courage happening within our Scare Your Soul tribe.
This week, I invite you to share one small, brave thing you are doing right now. It doesn't have to be grandiose or life-altering. It can be a micro-step, a seemingly tiny act of courage that pushes you outside your comfort zone.
I know it can be challenging to open up and share our vulnerable moments, but that's what this community is all about.
We're here to support, encourage, and inspire one another.
So, take a deep breath, muster up that courage, and share ONE THING you're doing that feels brave. Leave a comment below or send me an email at scott@scareyoursoul.com.
Your act of courage, no matter how small it may seem, has the power to inspire and motivate others.
Let's celebrate each other's bravery and create a ripple effect of courage that extends far beyond our community.
I can't wait to hear about your brave moments!
Workshops and Keynotes
Are you ready to transform your team's engagement, boost enthusiasm, and cultivate a culture of courage? I have an incredible opportunity for you!
For a limited time, I'm offering a series of in-person workshops and keynotes designed specifically for companies and organizations.
Imagine the impact on your organization when your employees are empowered to step out of their comfort zones, take bold action, and approach challenges with a fearless mindset. The benefits are endless: increased productivity, improved team dynamics, and a renewed sense of purpose and passion.
Click here to learn more and book your courage-infused workshop or keynote today!
Scott, I am so sorry to hear of your tinittus and hearing loss. My heart goes out to you. And I'm so glad for all of us that you've been brave enough to follow your heart and inspire all of us to follow ours!
My brave thing is that I'm getting back to my work this month after two years off due to a peak stage of a chronic illness I've dealt with for years (through a miracle of discovering that mold was making me sick I'm 85% better!), followed by the illness of a close family member who has required a lot of care over this past year.
I create my own work and audience. After two years off I'm starting again mostly from scratch and I can barely remember who that person was who could do all that I did.
I feel vulnerable and scared. I have sometimes embarrassing cognitive impairment from my chronic illness, which feels particulary embarrassing since I'm a teacher and a scholar. AND I really struggle to promote myself. I will need to do this vigorously as I have college tuition for two kids, I'm behind financially from these two unplanned years off, and I need to truly value my work enough to shout it out to the world with joy! Scott, another way you inspire me: I will channel you as I am starting again this month!