Embracing risk is one of the most powerful things anyone can do to level up and maximize the probability of reaching your full potential. Below, you’ll find risk-takers across industries sharing their stories of how they began to embrace risk.
Vie Darling
Risk taking isn’t easy, especially when you’re overcoming trauma related to insecurity, instability, deprivation. It can feel like self-betrayal, especially when the desired result doesn’t immediately pan out. Many people don’t realize that they’ve even been through trauma because a lot of the time people associate trauma as the worst possible thing happening. Trauma isn’t always physical assault or abuse. Sometimes — and oftentimes — it’s subtle. Neglect is a type of trauma that is deeply insidious but invisiblized by society. Read more>>
Bria Goeller
Slowly and over time. Sort of like desensitization. Like many young people, I went through cycles of enthusiasm and disillusionment. I had years where I said “yes” to everything, recovery years when I questioned whether that was the right move. There were times I hunkered down, other times I felt emboldened. With experience, I’ve gotten closer to striking a balance. A large part of it is learning when risk-taking will pay off and when it’s wasted energy. Read more>>
Philip Jones
In his Discourses on Art, 1769, Sir Joshua Reynolds advises young students of art (or any discipline) to study the history of the field, or risk mistaking their beginner’s trifling for discovery of a new world. Only by knowing what has preceded can one begin to approach originality. Visually and conceptually, Romare Bearden’s collage paintings of the 1960s-1970s are liberating to me. His vision is inspirational and challenging in its disruption of perspective, time, and point-of-view, yet logical and coherent. I don’t need to worry about being too bold, Bearden has already ventured well beyond my wild dreams, and points the way. Read more>>
Meg Rulli
My journey into winemaking has been an unexpected path, fueled by my passion for wine that began during my college days when I studied abroad in Spain. After immersing myself in wine studies through the WSET Certification program and being really curious about the winemaking side of the industry, I found myself at a crossroads in 2020. With no prior cellar experience, I took a bold leap of faith. I purchased a full ton—2,000 pounds—of Syrah grapes from the Yakima Valley in Washington. The goal? To create my very first vintage and, ultimately, launch my wine brand, Flipturn Cellars. Read more>>
Teona Zak
I love this question, because as I got older and started chasing my dreams, I realized my willingness to take risks became much easier. Honestly, my Mother and Grandmother played a huge part in why I am able to take risks. I come from a Russian/ Georgian family, and I am the first generation. Being raised in an immigrant family, I saw how resilient my Mother and Grandmother were. They would not stop till they got what they wanted, nothing was impossible to them. They constantly pushed for a better life, and to make sure we had everything we needed. Read more>>
Cal Campos (they/them)
Before I begin, I want to note: please read with care! This share talks about heavy and personal topics including homophobia, suicidal ideation, mental illness, existentialism, death, sobriety, and family trauma. Feel free to skip ahead to the next question if that feels right in your body. 🖤 My ability to take risks has stemmed from a lot of different places. The two main spaces I would say it stems from is my childhood, and my thirst for a life that “I chose.” Read more>>
Morgan Ehrenzeller
I developed my ability to take risks over time, and it’s been an evolution built from small, calculated steps rather than giant leaps. Early on, I didn’t have much capital or a safety net, so every decision felt high-stakes. But starting from scratch forced me to get creative and intentional. Read more>>
Lindsey Anderson
Every new risk in life is going to either lead you to success or failure, but we see the most growth and learning through our failures. You have to be willing to fail to succeed. And that’s scary stuff! But it’s worth it. Something that helped me get to this mindset is building confidence through trying. It sounds silly, but having the courage to put yourself in a role or task that’s uncomfortable for you builds self confidence within yourself. (Even if you gave it your best try and it didn’t work out.) Confidence is built by trying new things and putting in effort to things that scare us. Whether it’s launching a new business, trying a new class, conquering a fear, or having a hard conversation- simply trying builds our own strength and courage. Read more>>
