From fear to freedom: how skiing taught me to step outside my comfort zone
SCM First time Tree Skiing, Jan 19th, 2025
Have you ever felt that your comfort zone is a safe haven—until one day, it becomes a prison? Leaving the comfort zone is often portrayed as an instant ticket to transformation, but the reality is far more complex. It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. And it’s downright terrifying at times.
As a life coach, I work with clients who want change, but are paralyzed by fear of the unknown. Whether it's in our careers, relationships, or personal development, we all feel the need to break out of our patterns at some point. But how do we make that leap when fear and doubt hold us back?
I'd like to share a personal experience on skiing hat illustrates this sometimes messy, frustrating, but also rewarding process of stepping out of our comfort zone, and how, in my case, this process involved fear, but it gave me lessons that I've been able to apply in different situations in my life.
A humbling beginning: fear in motion
My first experience with skiing was a disaster. At 34, I had zero interest in the sport, but my husband, an avid skier, insisted that I join him on the slopes. What followed was nothing short of traumatic.
We went in the last weeks of the ski season, where conditions were icy even for experienced skiers. And, of course, my husband decided to take me down a steep, narrow black trail—the most difficult kind—despite the fact that I had never skied before. As soon as I got off the ski lift, I lost control, tumbled down the hill, and ended up with a bruised body and a bruised ego.
In that moment, I swore off skiing for good. And then, two days later, I learned I was pregnant, which made that fall even more terrifying. The physical pain faded, but the emotional scars stayed with me for years.
Patience and the right support: a new approach
It took a long time before I was willing to try skiing again. The fear of falling, failing, and getting hurt loomed large. But as a family, we wanted to enjoy the sport together, and I knew I had to face my fear. This time, I took a completely different approach.
Instead of going out with my husband—who’s an amazing skier but not the best teacher—I enrolled in lessons with a professional coach in Valle Nevado, Chile. The conditions were better, and I was determined to master the basics. This time, I focused on small wins—balancing, turning, stopping—building up my skills step by step.
And here's the secret I learned: growth doesn’t happen in giant leaps, it happens in small, consistent steps.
Everything is a process
Let’s fast forward to last weekend. I was skiing in Colorado, where skiing is not just a sport, but a way of life. After years of practice, I felt ready for a new challenge when my husband invited me to try tree skiing. The idea of navigating narrow trails between trees had terrified me before, but now I felt prepared.
This time, my husband-who learned the lesson- was there as my guide—not pushing me too hard, but encouraging me every step of the way. He took me to slopes with spaced-out trees and soft runs, and though I fell a couple of times, the fear didn’t overwhelm me. With the right tools (including six layers of clothing to survive -5°F temperatures) and the right support, I was able to ski through the trees, feeling the thrill of conquering something I’d once feared.
At the end of the day, I felt a sense of accomplishment and joy. This experience reminded me that stepping outside your comfort zone isn’t about instant success—it’s about embracing the discomfort and trusting the process.
What leaving your comfort zone really looks like
So, what did I learn from this experience? Here are a few lessons I want to share with you:
1. It’s okay to be afraid Fear doesn’t disappear when you step outside your comfort zone. What matters is how you face it. Fear is part of the process, and learning to manage it is what leads to growth.
2. Patience is key Growth takes time. Whether you’re learning a new skill, making a career change, or pursuing personal development, progress happens in small steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is the confidence to tackle your biggest challenges.
3. The right support matters Surround yourself with the right people. My husband learned from our first skiing experience and became an excellent ski coach—patient, encouraging, and supportive. In life, having someone who believes in you when you can’t believe in yourself can make all the difference.
4. Preparation is essential Whether it's physical tools, mental strategies, or specific skills, the right preparation sets you up for success. Skiing without the right gear is a recipe for failure, and life without the right mindset or resources can lead to the same outcome. Make sure you're ready before you take the leap.
5. The reward is worth it The reward for stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t always immediate, but it’s worth it. Whether it’s a newfound confidence, a sense of freedom, or just the thrill of trying something new, the growth you experience along the way will pay off in ways you never expected.
The adventure continues
Leaving your comfort zone isn’t a one-time event—it’s a lifelong process. Whether it’s a new adventure, a career change, or simply facing something that scares you, it’s the same journey: a mix of fear, discomfort, and gradual growth. You’ll fall. You’ll doubt yourself. But if you trust the process and keep taking small steps, you’ll come out on the other side stronger and more capable.
So, I encourage you to take that first step into the unknown. Don’t wait for the fear to go away— “ski” through it! And if you need support along the way, I’m here to help. Let's embrace the adventure together.
