Fear is not to be fixed. Here’s what to do instead

I had an amazing conversation with my friend and fellow coach, Michael Sousa, on the podcast yesterday. It stirred up some fresh thoughts on a topic we all wrestle with - fear.

Before we dive in: I’ve got another incredible guest joining me live on the Podcast tomorrow at ~6:45 pm PST - Andréane Lanthier Nadeau (ALN). She’s not only a seasoned pro racer but also has a background in Psychology.

Want to ask ALN a question?

Join our free Discord Community. Members can submit questions ahead of interviews, and we dive into the insights afterward.

---

Now, on fear:

Don’t fall into the trap of trying to fix, get rid of, or push past fear - like so many riders attempt (albeit unsuccessfully).

The riders I see making real progress are the ones who learn to coexist with their fear. They bring it along for the ride - not as an enemy, but as a valuable part of the process.

You can’t have confidence without fear. They’re two sides of the same coin.

And, if you’ve ever tried to shut fear out completely, you’ve probably noticed the paradox: the more we try to control everything, the more out of control we feel. Frustration builds. Anxiety creeps in. Progress stalls.

But here’s the twist - that fear? It’s actually a gift.

Because a version of you with no fear at all… probably doesn’t end well. Whether it’s the wild young sender with no respect for safety, or someone constantly flirting with burnout, unchecked confidence without fear usually crashes and burns, fast.

Fear is a healthy, natural signal. It’s there to protect you. The challenging part is learning to trust that signal without letting it control you.

So instead of chasing the latest mindset 'hack' to outrun your fear, what if you tried this:

• Build a relationship with it

• Listen to what it’s trying to tell you

• Use it as data for good decision-making - not as a danger

• Learn to feel fear without becoming fearful

This is the path to riding with grounded confidence. To riding with more clarity, control, and calm - even in high-pressure situations.

And it’s exactly what we dive deep into inside CX4, our full-circle coaching program designed to help riders build confidence, control, consistency, and community - on and off the bike.

We’re currently taking applications, so if you’re serious about unlocking your potential, this could be your next step.

See you on the trails and in the Discord - Jake