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100 Days Without Fear

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(CNN) – From the time she was a little girl, Michelle Poler was afraid of the world. She avoided big, playful dogs, scared they might bite her. Terrified of pain, she dreaded doctor's appointments. She missed dinner parties that required her to drive at night.

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Michelle

New York City is definitely not for the fearful. After moving here I realized I needed to do something about it. So in efforts to become a braver person I embarked on a project where I faced 100 fears in 100 days. What I didn't expect was to inspire thousands along the way. 

I'm now super fortunate to have the opportunity to travel the world speaking at schools, companies and organizations on how to embrace the unknown and live a life beyond the comfort zone. 

If it’s not at an airport, you can also find me on YouTube posting weekly videos or uploading stories of courage from everyday people to HelloFears.com. Check it out!

Featured
Day 100: Inspire others at TEDxHouston
Day 100: Inspire others at TEDxHouston
Day 96: Age
Day 96: Age
Day 89: Stand Up
Day 89: Stand Up
Day 85: Surf
Day 85: Surf
Day 80: Teach
Day 80: Teach
Day 78: Paint
Day 78: Paint
Day 77: Pose
Day 77: Pose
Day 72: Embrace
Day 72: Embrace
Day 65: Jump
Day 65: Jump
Day 59: Quit
Day 59: Quit

Click here to see the full list of fears

Day 36: Curry on

May 13, 2015

What's the challenge?

To try a new kind of food.

What are you afraid of?

I'm afraid of the unkown.

How was the experience?

I went by myself to this Indian chain (Indikitch) near my office even though a couple of people already told me not to go since they thought it was pretty spicy. I decided not to listen and judge it myself. I didn't know what to order, so I just told the waiter to give me whatever as long as it wasn't spicy. I first tried the red lemonade with mint leaves and it was delicious. Then, I tried the bowl of rice and chicken that was even more delicious and to finish up, I tried "naan," their kind of pita bread with garlic and it was out of this world. I think I love Indian food now. 

← Day 37: Be proudDay 35: Present →

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Thank you!

Why Fear?

A couple of reasons I wrote just to remind myself why am I doing this:

  • Fear keeps me from enjoying life

  • Fear will keep me from achieving success

  • I want to live courageously

  • Life starts at the end of your comfort zone

  • What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

  • NYC is not made for the fearful

  • Fear just doesn't make sense

  • If I don't do it now, then, when?

Instagram: @100dayswithoutfear

When my most recent client asked me to take the stage for 15 more minutes than what I’m used to speaking, my comfort zone begged me to decline. But, every challenge is a growth opportunity and this was no exception. What I did ⤵️ . I challenged myself to do something different this time ➡️ To add an interactive exercise with the audience — something I’m not used to doing . I implemented an exercise I learned from Google ➡️ I asked the audience to define the things that make them REMARKABLE, and then share those out loud 😰 When I asked them to tell me how they felt sharing those things, the most common answer was: confident, good about myself 🙌🏼♥️ I was as surprised as they were 😭 _ Not only did I get a standing ovation at the end (swipe 👉 to watch), but also, multiple women approached me after the presentation to tell me how impactful that exercise was for them ☺️ . I now plan to continue implementing that challenge during next presentations 💫 . ✏️ I’m remarkable because I’m willing to tackle new challenges as a way to grow and improve. . What makes YOU remarkable? _ #courageis #hellofears #imremarkable #tastefullysimple
I’ve said “no thanks” to 6 people just today. ⬇️ 1] I’d love to be on your podcast, but as of now, I can’t 2] Coffee sounds delicious, but sadly I’m not available these days 3] Would love to help out! Can we talk again in March? — It goes on and on. . Having to say “no” sucks! Because I genuinely want to do all those things and I feel like an a$$ having to decline 😰 . More and more I’ve come to realize the power in choosing our battles to move forward. And right now, I need to move forward to reach my goals and impact even more people. . It is about taking ownership of our life by taking ownership of our time 💫 . When was the last time you said “no thanks”? And what is your strategy to do so? Any therapists/coaches around here? I could use the help 🤯 ____ Lovely pin I need to get for myself by @adamjk 🙌💛 #hellofears #courage #sayingno #nothanks
The face I make ⤴️ when Adam criticizes my work or my performance on stage. . On the inside I’m dying. . Accepting criticism is SO hard! Hearing the things we did wrong hurts our ego 😰 whether we like it or not. . On the outside I want to look good, like if I can totally handle criticism 😉 — After all, the only reason he is saying those things is for me to do a better job next time around, not to make me feel bad or anything. . So what to do in that moment? Self-destroy ourselves even more, or swallow big and accept it? . In my case, I need my confidence to create, to inspire others, to keep going. So while I get constructive criticism my internal speech is: “It’s OK, Michelle, you’re human, you’re only learning. Those you now admire made mistakes too. But pay attention, you don’t want to make the same mistake twice. Listen, learn and move on. You’re a better version of yourself because you made that mistake, learned from it and won’t do it again. It’s all good. On to the next thing!” . PS: We ALL need an Adam in our life. Someone who can say it as it is. Someone with an objective point of view that can help us get closer to our best selves by being honest and respectful. If you have an “Adam”, tag that person right here and thank him/her ⤵️ — @stramhacks ♥️ #hellofears #courageis #criticism
Wonderful things happening all around us. Do you see them? 👀 Happiness is about being present and grateful for the little things (swipe to read my favorite ones 👉🏼) _ One last wonderful thing I didn’t include there: to win a box full of @lifeisgoodco products 🙌🏼 To participate: . • Go to my story, repost, fill in the blank and tag @hellofears and @lifeisgoodco 💥 Cool? _ This post was inspired by a play I’ll be watching on Saturday in Miami at the @thecolonytheatre with @erikadlvoficial called “Puras Cosas Maravillosas” (All Wonderful Things) — about depression, mental health and the wonderful things we can do about it 🙏🏼 — Will share more about the topic after watching the play! #purascosasmaravillosas
I was scrolling. Until I saw this. And I stopped. And I decided to help you stop. So stop. Go exercise. Go do something productive. Go be someone. Be better than yesterday. A little bit better? And maybe repost this, so others stop scrolling as well K bai 👋🏼 . . Much needed. By @florencegiven ✨🙌🏼
Smiling on porpoise because: 1) Life Is Good — literally, @lifeisgoodco sent another box full of products so I’ll be doing a giveaway soon ♥️ (but I’m keeping this tee 😛) _ 2) I’m back home (feels so good to have a place to call home, I don’t get tired of saying it!!) . Is coming back home for you the best, or the worst part of traveling? For some people coming back from a trip is the worst part ➡️ #backtoreality — This post is to let you know that there might be a reality that can make you happier than any trip - I can attest to that 🙌🏼 - but you have to be willing to find it 👀 After I made NY my home, coming back is a bliss every single time. So yeah, I smile on porpoise! 🦈😄
It takes courage to go nomad by yourself or with your partner (it does!!). But going nomad to travel the world for a year with your 3 kids takes the experience to a whole other level. Claudia and her family not only documented their journey through a blog — which I followed for a year, but they put all of their experiences into a real book 🙌🏼😱 (swipe 👉🏼) So excited to read this story and one day follow her steps! Read their story of courage at ✨ hellofears.com/stories/nomadfamily and find the link to her book there! Would you do it? Would you travel for a whole year with your kids? — I would have kids just to do that 😂🙌🏼 #courageis #hellofears
I’m about to embark on a few exciting but big projects that I can’t share as of now. BIG. Very big. . I’m terrified. Terrified of not having enough time to do everything I want to do. Not enough time to post on Instagram weekly, or meet up with friends, or visit my family. Not enough time to take care of myself, of my marriage. I’m afraid as much as I am excited. . But like my friend @heyamberrae says ⤴️, it’s time to prioritize. This is not a matter of time. In fact, the busier we are, the more organized we get and the more we value our time. . From now on, I will be more mindful of the things I say yes to, because each one of those “yes” I give, is also a no. When I say yes to others, I say no to myself. I now choose to say YES to my upcoming projects ✨ #priorities #courage . What are you prioritizing in life today? ⤵️
Giving away two tickets for my upcoming event in NY ♥️ Date: Saturday July 21st Event: HER Conference by @hercampus 🙌🏼✨ . To win 2 tickets: 1) Tag the friend you’d like to go with in the comment section (women only!) 2) Tell me 1 courageous thing you’ve done this year (it can even be a small act of courage 😚) for a better chance to win tickets . If you’re NOT in NY but a friend is, tag her so she can participate! She will thank you later ⤵️ . #everydaycourage #herconference #nyc #giveaway
A good partner is the one that helps you love yourself. ♥️ One that reminds you what you’re made of when you’re NOT feeling ok. ♥️ One that understands that you are not lacking love, so hugs and kisses will not be enough. ♥️ Someone that knows you even better than you know yourself, so who better than him/her to help you go back up again. ♥️ Grateful for @stramhacks and his last post, all his relationship hacks made me fall in love ♥️ So much, that I am rhyming, which is ridiculous AF ♥️ My one relationship hack is not only to love back Is to make that person strong enough so that he/she can shine bright ✨ ___ Images by @underpantsandoverbites who is about to reach her 100th comic 💪🏻✨💕 #the100dayproject #selflove #hellofears #courage
If only walls could talk 🤭. Oh, in Williamsburg they do 🙌🏼✨ . May you find a place that matches your personal brand and have the courage to move there 🙏🏼💕 _ #dontyoushushme #theboldtype #calladitanomore
#FridayChallenge ⤵️ _ Can you believe half of the year is gone? Gone!!! 😱 Did it go fast or slow? What was the best part of it? Today I want to challenge you to find your New Years Resolution, wherever you hid it! Review it and answer: What happened to all your promises? Are you still on track to achieving the goals you set 6 months ago? Or do you now have new goals? This is the perfect time to evaluate your actions, find your focus and make a commitment to yourself... again. for realz. If you feel good about your year, keep it up girl! If you feel disappointed when reading your resolution, think about what is the small next step you can take towards your goals, and start there. My word for this year was “intention” — and I can say that the last two months have been all about that! #proud 💪🏻 Best part of my year? Moving back to NY ♥️ Lovely illustrations by my ex-intern @iambrookeholland 💕 #hellofears #2018 #halfyear #resolution #motivation #actionplan
Going back to my rejection story. (find it in the highlight section on my profile). Thinking about it, I realized 1 thing: The main reason why I wanted those two deals was to show the world how great I’m doing. Yes, I also wanted to inspire others through those amazing ad campaigns, but the main reason was... SOCIAL PROOF. And it is not easy to admit this, not to myself, not publicly. That got me thinking. And I started to reflect on the things that I’ve done just for myself; not because I want to impress others, but because I know it’s the best for me. I thought about Adam, and how much I wanted to be with him. I never thought about impressing my parents, my friends or the community I belong to. I was not desperate to find a boyfriend, or a husband. I just wanted to be with him, forever. My intentions were genuine. And it’s the best thing I have in my life. Same with my project “100 Days Without Fear” - I never intended to prove myself or impress those around me. I did it because I needed to grow as a person. Look where it got me. Now think about the things you want in life, those you wonder every day if you’ll get them, or not. Now ask yourself, what motivates you? Is it recognition? helping others? a sense of accomplishment? money? Do you want those things to impress others? Or would you do those things, even if you would have to keep them to yourself? Those are the things you should go after. Those are the ones the universe is keeping for you. They are yours. Re-focus your energy so you can get them 👊🏼🌎 #hellofears #motivation #courage
I personally don’t have a tattoo. Why? Three reasons: 1) My religion 2) My indecisiveness (I get bored of things easily) 3. My fear of needles, blood and pain. You know who was also afraid to get a tattoo? @andrerivasalas — for some of those, and other reasons, like disappointing her family. But despite it all, she was brave enough to go for it 👊🏼 . If you are considering facing the same fear, stop by hellofears.com to read Andrea’s story — it is relatable af! 💪🏻⤵️ . “It was just a tattoo. But for me it was more than that. It was me standing up for myself, it was me making decisions without my parents’ approval, it was me getting out of my first heartbreak, it was me being okay without all the answers, it was me growing, it was me being brave, it was me trusting, it was me full of certainty. It was me flowing.” 🙌🏼 #amengirl I may now even go for it. What should I get? Swipe to see her lovely 🌊 tattoo #courageis #hellofears #tattoo #bravewoman #30women30stories
This image is all we need today. . Here to wish you all a day full of positive energy. Doesn’t matter where you are right now, physically, mentally and emotionally, positive energy is the one thing that can change the outcome of our day, and can help those around us. . We have so much power. Now let’s give it a good use and attract only the positive 👊🏼♥️ . Reposting this image for the second time (yes, that powerful) — By @gpez #positiveenergy #hellofears #sundayfunday
The first time I went to “Rock The Stage” was 2 years ago. I was learning how to be a speaker and decided to post a YouTube video about some of the things I learned from other speakers. I tagged @joshshipp as he was one of my mentors (without him knowing it) and through Twitter, he invited me to attend RTS, his event for speakers in California. Fast forward a year later. After countless interviews, Josh invited me to be part of his select group of speakers “Top Youth Speakers”. Which he calls, his family. Because that’s what we are; and needless to say, I’m the little sister. A year later, here I am ⤴️ presenting on his stage to his audience. In a period of 2 years I went from being one more girl in the audience (and there were very few girls, glad to see that has changed), to being the newbie on the team, to having the opportunity to be an example for those in the audience. Two years of dreaming, but most importantly, doing. Two years of “faking it”, till I made it. Two years of self-doubt. Two years of self-motivation. Two years of “why would anyone listen to me?”. Two years of “I can’t wait to share my message again.” If I did it. You can do it too. It just takes time and lots of doing 👊🏼 #hellofears #courageis Photos by @tkfounder — the kindness ninja you want in your family too. Online course coming soon!

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