What fears have you overcome and how?

Ten years ago, I faced one of my greatest fears: heights. I was at Las Cañadas Campamento in Ensenada, Baja California, a beautiful outdoor adventure park known for its canopy tours. The course featured five zip lines — two of them over a quarter mile long — and five hanging bridges that stretched across the treetops.

The first time I went, I was with my in-laws and my husband. I didn’t just feel nervous — I was absolutely terrified. My legs were shaky, my heart was pounding, and just looking at the first bridge made me question if I could do it. But something inside me really wanted to push through that fear and prove to myself that I was capable.

Each of the five hanging bridges came with its own challenge. The Barrels Bridge, suspended about 50 feet (15 meters) above the ground, demanded serious physical effort — like a playground obstacle course, but high in the air. The Tibetan Bridge tested my balance and focus. The Islands Bridge pushed my coordination, speed, and nerve. Even the Traditional Bridges, which were easier, reminded me just how far off the ground I was while offering beautiful views of the surrounding lake and mountains.

Despite the fear, I kept going — one bridge, one zip line, one shaky breath at a time. When I finally reached the end of the course, I realized something had shifted inside me. I had done the thing I was most afraid of.

Six weeks later, I went back — this time with more family members, some of whom were experiencing it for the first time, just like I had. I didn’t go back to prove anything to anyone else. I went back to show myself that courage isn’t a one-time decision. It’s something we can keep choosing. The fear was still there, but it wasn’t as loud anymore. I felt calmer, braver, and more sure of myself.

That experience taught me something I’ll never forget: growth doesn’t always mean being fearless — it means doing the hard thing even when you are afraid. At Las Cañadas, I didn’t just conquer a fear of heights. I proved to myself that I can do hard things. And that’s a truth I carry with me to this day.