Embracing Fear: My Travel Adventures and Overcoming Heights

It’s no secret that I adore traveling. From a spirited road trip to Byron Bay, an electrifying convention in Vegas (great excuse, right?), to sipping limoncello spritzes in the sun-drenched streets of Capri, I’m always up for an adventure.  But here’s the kicker: I’m absolutely terrified of heights.  Flying often sends me into a tailspin, and there have been many moments when I’ve considered cancelling trips due to this paralysing fear.  

Logically, I know flying is incredibly safe. People do it every day. Even my husband, a helicopter pilot and owner of Helicopters Australia, finds comfort in the skies, but that doesn’t quite ease my anxiety.  So, how do I cope? I’ve learned to accept that fear is just part of the journey.  

Instead of trying to eliminate my fear of heights, I’ve decided to acknowledge it.  It’s like having an uninvited guest tag along on my adventures.  Yes, it’s panic-inducing at times, but I also know that facing my fear head-on fills me with a sense of pride.  Every time I board a plane, I remind myself that my fear can ride along, but it doesn’t get to dictate the destination.   

I’ve even taken it a step further by challenging myself with skydiving—twice!  While I hoped it would help quell my anxiety, the heights still make my heart race.  So, I’ve made peace with my fear.  It will always be there, but it doesn’t have to hold me back from exploring the beautiful sea views of Europe or the stunning canyons of Nevada.  

Ultimately, I’d rather face my fear than stay home, missing out on incredible experiences. So, fear and I are now travel buddies, ready to tackle each new adventure together.  This Halloween let’s celebrate the things that scare us—because conquering them makes the journey that much sweeter.