What Does Bravery Really Look + Feel Like?

Beyond Your Default

In this episode of Beyond Your Default, George and I are digging into something that is woefully misunderstood: bravery. We’ve all been fed this narrative that bravery has to be some dramatic, action-hero moment—full of fearless, toxic positivity or like rushing into a burning building or staring down a villain in some epic showdown. But here’s the thing: that’s complete nonsense.

We’re breaking down what bravery actually feels like in the real world. Sometimes it feels like you’re about to puke. Sometimes it’s quiet, personal, and shows up in ways that nobody else will ever see. Bravery isn’t about waiting for some magical feeling of confidence to wash over you—it’s about stepping into the scary stuff anyway, even when your brain is screaming:

“Abort mission!”

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So if you’re sitting there wondering how the heck you can be braver in your everyday life without having to slay a dragon or leap off a building, this one’s for you. George and I are diving into the ways we’ve both shown bravery in our own lives (it wasn’t glamorous), and how you can start recognizing those small but powerful brave moments in your life, too.

Bravery isn’t some magical state of being where everything suddenly feels great and you know exactly what you’re doing. (If that happens, let me know, because I’ve been missing out.) It’s messy, it’s uncomfortable, and it often looks like taking tiny, awkward steps forward when you’d rather curl up in a ball. But if you’re still moving forward—no matter how scared, unsure, or uncomfortable you feel—you’re already doing it. You’re already brave. And that’s the whole damn point.

So stop waiting for bravery to feel epic. Start giving yourself credit for the brave things you’ve already done, and get out there and do the next scary thing. Because trust me, you’re braver than you think.

🌱 Related Episodes:

• How to Make Vulnerability Your Superpower
• Is Self-Care Selfish, Bullsh*t, or Something Actually Valuable?
  
  

Bravery Topics We Cover

everyday bravery, quiet courage, overcoming fear, bravery vs. fearlessness, cultural expectations of bravery, taking action despite fear, personal growth through discomfort, mindset shifts for bravery.

Highlights from Our Conversation

• Bravery Isn’t Fearlessness (Because Let’s Be Honest, Fear Never Fully Goes Away): Let’s cut to the chase—if you’re waiting to magically feel fearless before taking action, you’re going to be waiting forever. Bravery isn’t the absence of fear; it’s showing up and doing the thing with fear tagging along for the ride. We break down how fear and bravery are basically two sides of the same coin, and why being scared doesn’t disqualify you from being brave. In fact, it’s kind of the whole point.

• The Everyday Acts of Bravery You’re Probably Overlooking: Listen, yes, jumping out of a plane might be brave, but so is setting a boundary with someone when you’ve spent your whole life being a people-pleaser. We dive into the tiny, everyday acts of bravery that don’t get any applause but make all the difference—things like saying “no,” asking for help, or simply getting through the day when life feels heavy. Trust me, these are the real MVP moments of bravery.

• Why Hollywood’s Definition of Bravery Is Screwing You Over: Society—and yes, Hollywood too—has trained us to think bravery is all about big, visible acts of heroism. But in reality, most bravery happens when no one’s watching. We talk about how these warped ideas about bravery have messed with our heads, and why comparing yourself to some superhero storyline is a surefire way to feel like you’re not measuring up. Spoiler: You don’t need a cape or a grand gesture to be brave.

• George and I Share Our Not-So-Glorious Brave Moments: We’re getting real about the times we’ve had to be brave—and spoiler, it didn’t look like the movies. From business decisions that scared the hell out of us to moments of personal growth where we had no idea what was coming next, we talk about the times we didn’t feel brave at all in the moment but looking back? Yeah, we were. If you’re waiting for some epic brave feeling to hit before you make your move, we’re here to tell you: that’s not how it works.

• Stop Waiting for the Feeling—Just Do the Damn Thing: If there’s one thing we want you to take away from this episode, it’s that bravery isn’t some feeling that sweeps you off your feet. It’s about moving forward when you’re scared out of your mind. We break down why waiting until you feel ready is a trap and how the most important thing you can do is just start. Whether that’s having the tough conversation or finally taking the leap on something you’ve been putting off—just go.

• How to Start Acting Bravely (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It): Want to know how to be braver in your everyday life without feeling like you’re gearing up for battle? We’ve got you covered. George and I walk you through practical, real-life strategies for stepping into those moments of discomfort and taking action, even when you’re not feeling particularly bold. It’s not about waiting for bravery to arrive—it’s about building it as you go.

• Recognizing the Brave Moments You’re Already Crushing: Here’s a hot take: You’re already braver than you think. Seriously, when was the last time you gave yourself credit for all the times you’ve been brave, even when it didn’t feel like it? We talk about how to look back at your own life and recognize those small moments of courage that probably flew under the radar—and why you should start celebrating those wins, like, yesterday.

Quotes About the Importance of Love

“Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.” - Omar N. Bradley

“It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

“Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid.” - Franklin P. Jones

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

“The bravest thing I ever did was continuing my life when I wanted to die.” - Juliette Lewis

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’” - Eleanor Roosevelt

“Bravery is the audacity to be unhindered by failures, and to walk with freedom, strength, and hope, in the face of the things...