Straight-Up Courage: How One Small Act Creates Waves
How sips of courage become gulps of transformation
This Week’s Courage Newsletter
“Sometimes you have to go a little crazy before you can find sanity. I think I'm close.”
― Tawny Lara
Why transformation often starts with a whisper rather than a shout
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Scare Your Soul Challenge: The Ripple Effect Challenge
Bottom line: Sometimes the bravest revolutions start with one small act of courage
Dear Courageous Souls,
Last Friday night, I found myself judging a mocktail competition at Kava Sol, a zero-alcohol bar in Cleveland. Picture this: three rounds of fierce competition, secret ingredients (house-made banana syrup! watermelon purée! caramel!), and energy that could power Times Square.
But here's what struck me most - the pure, unfiltered joy and connection happening without a drop of liquid courage in sight.
It reminded me of my friend Tawny Lara.
Years ago, when Tawny and I first met, she was living in NYC as a rock music journalist, wrestling with what sobriety might mean for her life, her relationships, her identity.
During one of our conversations, I challenged her to do something that seemed small but terrifying - post a photo of herself in a bathing suit on social media as part of a Scare Your Soul challenge.
She told me later that that one act of courage - being that vulnerable - was like dominoes.
It showed her that she could do hard things sober. That she could be seen.
Really seen.
Today, Tawny is a renowned expert on sobriety and intimacy, helping thousands navigate relationships without alcohol. Her new book, "Dry Humping," is transforming how people think about connection, dating, and authenticity.
Just like Tawny's journey didn't start with writing a book - it started with one vulnerable post. One small act of saying "here I am."
The science behind this is fascinating. Researchers at Stanford's Courage Lab have found that courage isn't just some magical quality that appears fully formed like Athena from Zeus's head. Instead, it's more like a muscle that grows stronger with tiny, consistent exercises.
Every time we choose discomfort over comfort, authenticity over fitting in, or vulnerability over safety - we're building what researchers call our "courage capacity." It's like compound interest for bravery.
Think about it:
Before Tawny could help thousands navigate sober dating, she had to navigate one sober post.
Before those mocktail competitors could create stunning alcohol-free masterpieces, they had to make their first shaky attempt at something new.
Before I could... well, do basically anything I do now, I had to learn that courage doesn't mean not being afraid - it means being afraid and choosing to act anyway.
This Week's Scare Your Soul Challenge: The Ripple Effect Challenge
Choose ONE small act of courage. Something that makes your palms just slightly sweaty. Maybe it's:
Throwing on some music and Dancing with a loved one … just because
Sharing something you created without apologizing for it
Speaking up in a meeting when you'd usually stay quiet
Telling someone how much they mean to you
Ordering that mocktail when everyone else is getting cocktails
The key isn't the size of the act - it's the willingness to step into that tiny space between comfort and growth.
Because here's the truth I learned watching both Tawny's journey and those mocktail creators:
Every big transformation starts with a small act of courage.
Every revolution begins with one person saying "maybe I'll try this differently."
With courage, hope, and the intoxicating power of being real,
