How to Overcome Fears That Keep You Stuck

Before we start, I want to make it clear: this blog post is aimed at people dealing with irrational fears in daily situations.

If you’re afraid of a genuine, real-life threat — good. Your body is doing what it’s supposed to.

What’s one thing a CIA agent and I have in common?

We’ve both sat in high-stress situations thinking, “I might actually die right now.”

(Okay, theirs involved high-stakes missions. Mine was a team meeting with no agenda and too much eye contact. Still counts if you ask me.)

Why am I comparing myself to a CIA agent?

To prove that every single human on this earth feels fear, and even the most elite people in the world have to face it.

The only difference is that some people’s brains misfire, triggering the body’s natural fear response in situations that aren’t typically scary — like, say, a team meeting.

Why does this happen? I’ve got a whole blog about that here if you’re interested.

But today, we’re talking about overcoming fear.

And I brought up CIA agents to make this point:

Even people working in life-threatening environments have to train their brains and bodies to handle fear.

They don’t show up on day one ready for danger. They build that skill — over time.

According to this article on NeuroLaunch.com, their training includes stress inoculation techniques like:

• Simulated interrogations

• Mock hostage situations

• Sensory deprivation exercises

All designed to build resilience in high-stress environments.

By exposing themselves repeatedly to fear, they train their minds and bodies to adapt — to function under pressure.

Their goal isn’t to eliminate fear entirely, but to move forward in spite of it.

You’re probably sitting there thinking:

“My performance review giving me anxiety vs. CIA agents saving lives is not the same.”

And sure, it’s not.

But here’s why it does matter:

You have the ability to train your brain to overcome your fear — no matter what it is.

For example, one of my biggest irrational fears is conflict.

Yes — conflict.

Even small disagreements used to send my body into full-on fear and anxiety mode.
I know a lot of people reading this can probably relate.

So, how do I overcome this fear?

By deliberately putting myself in situations where conflict might happen.

This is no easy task. You have to push yourself to do something even when every part of your body is screaming no.

But that’s where the magic happens.

When I choose to face conflict — even while afraid — and do it repeatedly, my brain starts to learn:

“This isn’t life-threatening. I can survive this.”

Over time, that response softens. The fear shrinks.

Challenging yourself to push yourself in these situations is the key to rewiring your brain to handle fear, I am living and breathing proof of this. 

Love always, Ash x