It was sleeting outside. We were finally inside warm and toasty with hot cocoas (with marshmallows!) after sledding down our hill all morning. Yes – WE. My husband and I sled with the kids, too. You’re never too old.
We decided to watch Alex Honnold (the Free Solo guy) climb Taipei 101 in Taiwan. My son loves tall buildings so we knew he’d love watching this. (We’d confirmed before watching the replay that Alex didn’t die so this wouldn’t be the source of future trauma).
A man scaling a skyscraper. Calm. Focused. Steady.
Within his first few seconds, he said to himself “Be Bold. Start Cold.” You know I ate that shit up!
This would sound great on a hoody. It’s catchy! But more importantly, it captures something I notice frequently missing in many of my conversations with you – especially those of you who are doing big things while carrying a lot at home.
You keep waiting. Alex didn’t.
And here’s what made it especially powerful to watch with my kids: they didn’t see bravado. They saw preparation. They saw focus. They saw someone who knew fear was present – and moved with intention anyway.
That’s a leadership lesson I actually want them (and you) absorbing.
Not “don’t be scared.” But “you can be scared and still take the next step.” That’s courage.
Many of you are wildly capable and quietly hesitating. And you don’t lack skill! But life really is full. The stakes feel higher. Starting cold, before everything is perfectly lined up, feels risky when you’re responsible for more than just yourself.
But, waiting to not feel afraid is keeping you stuck.
Momentum comes from movement. Courage isn’t loud. It’s steady. It’s practiced. It’s choosing to go anyway. For him, it was life or death. For us, it usually just feels that way.
And for my kids? It was a front-row seat to a different definition of bold – one rooted in preparation, presence, and trust in yourself (while having a lot of fun!).
So if you’re standing at the edge of something this season – professionally, personally, quietly- take this as your nudge.
You don’t have to feel warmed up. You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to start.
Be bold.
Start cold.