Undefeated champs

As you may know, I'm trying to make a habit of facing my fears head-on, intentionally stepping into uncomfortable situations and doing things that scare the heck out of me. All in the name of growth—to become a better speaker, business owner, mum… better at a lot of things, really.

So it was interesting when someone recently asked:

"What fear will you face next?"

At the time, I had no idea.

But last week, I did something I never thought I would—or could—do.

I competed in my first Theatre Sports tournament!

If you don't know what that is, it’s a team improv competition. I’ve watched it before and loved it—always in awe of the brave, quick-thinking performers on stage. But me? I never thought I’d have the guts. Nor the opportunity! So when the chance came, I knew this was my moment. I said yes before my brain could talk me out of it.

Lucky for me, I had two fantastic teammates to rely on—and we were all first-timers. We got out there, played hard, and had an absolute blast. And if that wasn’t enough…

We won! 🎉  

We're on to the next round! I didn't write this to gloat or get a pat on the back. Rather, there are a few valuable insights that I wanted to share in hopes they might be able to help you too: 

Why face your fears

When you intentionally put yourself in uncomfortable situations, you reprogram your subconscious mind—which, in turn, stretches your comfort zone. Before you know it, the things that once felt daunting aren’t so intimidating anymore. That shift is crucial for various aspects of personal and professional growth. Check out this 1-minute video to learn more about how this works. 

The presentation connection

Stretching your comfort zone reduces fear and anxiety when it’s time to speak. With fewer nerves, you’re more likely to deliver a smoother, more confident presentation. The less fear controls you, the more engaging and authentic your communication becomes. It becomes easier to connect with your audience, speak clearly, and stay present in the moment. This isn't just for formal presentations, it applies to all high-pressure communications such as meetings, interviews, even 1:1 conversations.

Say yes more often

We have a tendency to say “no” right away, especially when something feels new or daunting. But every time you say “yes” to something unfamiliar, you become more adept at navigating new situations. Start saying yes more often, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Never say never

We’ve all heard that "words matter"—and for good reason. They program your subconscious and shape your comfort zone.

I’d been asked a few times if I could ever see myself competing on stage. And while I definitely didn’t think I could (the mere thought of it freaked me out), I was careful in my response. I’d hint at a definite "heck no!" but I was mindful of my wording. Even though I never intended to pursue formal competitions or performances, I didn’t want to limit myself.

If I had told myself—or others—that I’d never do something like Theatre Sports, I likely never would have. My subconscious would have created a barrier, making it even harder to say yes when the opportunity arose. Keeping that door open, even just a crack, allowed me to embrace the possibility when the time came.

It's all about the attitude

When my team won our first round on Monday, we were pumped! But then I spent the next 24 hours downplaying it—finding excuses for why it wasn’t such a big deal. Meanwhile, I was gushing over how amazing the other teams were.

In my next improv class, the teacher asked who had competed. A few of us raised our hands, and one classmate, Grace, proudly declared, “We happen to be undefeated!” As we all oohed and awed, I thought, "Wow, imagine being that good—how cool is that?"

The very next second, she added, "We’ve only played one game, but still, we’re undefeated!" and we all cracked up!

Yes, words matter. And attitude is everything! Grace wasn’t wrong—in fact, she couldn't be more right. I loved her fresh and fun perspective!

So, with that said, I’m proud to announce: my team are...

Undefeated champs!!

😜