Living a Full Life Starts with One Brave Moment

Every single one of us has heard it—that quiet, relentless voice asking, “Am I good enough?” It shows up when you’re on the edge of something new, right before you take that leap you’ve been dreaming about. Whether it’s trying out to be a teacher at Fly, launching your own business, moving to a new city, or choosing to fall in love again—self-doubt often tags along for the ride. But here’s the truth: if it matters, it will likely feel uncomfortable.

At Fly, we talk about taking small steps or one moment to create change. It’s not about moving mountains all at once. It’s about choosing to move—at all. Forward motion doesn’t require all the answers, the perfect plan, or total confidence. What it does require is a willingness to step into the unknown, just a little bit at a time.

When I Chose the Unknown
Before opening Fly, I was on a straightforward path. I had my PhD in psychology and had a great job working with the Nebraska Athletic Department and their teams and athletes.  It was an interesting, stable, respected route. It made sense But inside, something didn’t feel aligned. There was this quiet tug, asking me to do something else, something riskier, more creative and more in line with who I am, and definitely more terrifying: to open a studio. A place that encouraged people not just to move physically, but to grow emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

It felt reckless. It felt impossible. I kept thinking, What if I fail? What if I’m not good enough? What if people don’t come?

But I took one step anyway. Not the whole leap—just one. Then another. Then another.

Self-Doubt: The Constant Companion
Here’s what I’ve learned: self-doubt doesn’t go away. It doesn’t magically disappear once you make the “right” decision or find success. Even bestselling authors, world-renowned speakers, and celebrities you admire deal with it.

It creeps in when you’re doing something new:
Am I good enough?
Is this wrong?
Is what I’ve created enough?
Will people care?

Even after opening Fly, I had moments where I’d walk into the studio and wonder, Is this the worst studio ever opened?That inner critic didn’t disappear just because I made a bold move. If anything, it got louder. But I also discovered that I didn’t need to eliminate doubt in order to act. I just needed to move anyway.

The Power of Small Steps
When we talk about living a big life, it can sound overwhelming. Like you need to uproot everything and rebuild from scratch. But at Fly, we talk about taking small steps or one moment to create change. Because sometimes, the most transformative actions start with something tiny.

Tiny steps that may be minor on the surface but have the power to shift everything. They might be as simple as:
– Signing up for something that scares you (a Fly class!) 
– Speaking up in a meeting
– Saying “yes” when your fear says “no”
– Taking 10 minutes for yourself when your mind says you don’t deserve it

The idea is simple:
1. Identify what’s holding you back.
2. Don’t wait to have all the answers or tools. Just take a small step.
3. When fear or discomfort shows up—do something.
4. If you get overwhelmed—move anyway.
5. Step right into it.

Taking a small step is often the most radical act of courage. It doesn’t matter how tiny it feels—it counts.

What Will Happen
Let’s not sugarcoat it. When you decide to live more fully, the road will not be smooth. Here’s what’s actually going to happen when you start stepping into your bolder life:
1. You will doubt yourself.
Everyone does. Even those who look like they have it all figured out. Doubt isn’t a sign you’re failing—it’s a sign you’re trying something new. That’s brave.
2. You’ll struggle with negative thoughts.
You’ll wonder if what you’re doing is good enough. You’ll worry about what others think. You’ll fear mediocrity. But here’s the twist: perfectionism often paralyzes progress. What good is a brilliant idea if it stays locked in your mind? If you wait for it to be flawless, it might never come to life.
3. It’s going to be messy.
None of this is easy. Falling in love, running a marathon, launching a business—they all look glamorous from the outside, but the reality is far more human. They are uncomfortable. They take work. They don’t follow a script. But they’re worth it.

Doing the Scary Thing—Every Day
I try to do something that makes me uncomfortable every day. Sometimes it’s small, like initiating a difficult conversation. Other times, it’s showing up vulnerably or trying something I’ve never done before. The goal isn’t to be fearless—the goal is to build resilience in the presence of fear.

Fear is not the enemy. Fear means you care. It means you’re reaching for something that matters.

Living a full life isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s not about eliminating fear, doubt, or discomfort. It’s about recognizing those feelings and choosing to act anyway. To keep going. To keep growing.

What Does It Mean to Live a Big Life?
A big life doesn’t mean you have to do grand, flashy things every day. It means you’re aligned with who you are and who you want to become. It means you’re saying yes to experiences, even when they terrify you. It means you’re willing to fail forward, to fall in love even if it ends, to try even if it might not work.

Living big means:
– Saying “I want more” even when it feels selfish.
– Choosing growth over comfort.
– Investing in your dreams even when it doesn’t make sense on paper.
– Trusting your voice.
– Taking that one small step, over and over again.

Your One Small Step
So, what’s your step today?
– Maybe it’s auditioning to be a teacher at Fly.
– Maybe it’s finally applying for that job you’ve been avoiding.
– Maybe it’s sending that message, signing up for the class, sharing your work.
– Maybe it’s resting. Saying no. Setting a boundary.
– Maybe it’s just saying to yourself: I deserve a full life.

Whatever it is—do it.

Not because you feel fearless, but because you don’t. And you’re still willing to act.

Final Thoughts
You don’t need to have a 5-year plan or bulletproof confidence. You just need one moment. One decision. One tiny act of courage.

Your fear might not disappear. But neither will your strength.

At Fly, we believe in the power of people who are willing to grow—even when it’s messy. We believe in the potential of one step to change your entire trajectory. And we believe that living a full, beautiful, and bold life starts now.

Not when you’re perfect. Not when you’re ready. But today.

So, what’s your moment?

Take it.