Unlocking Your Best Self: How Facing Fears and Embracing F-U-N Can Transform Your Life

Are you ready to fuel your unstoppable nerve?

Join me, Dai Manuel, as we shatter the limits of what you think is possible by embracing the power of F-U-N—Fueling Unstoppable Nerve. 

Today, we'll explore the science-backed reasons why challenging activities can transform your life, making you more resilient and boosting your well-being. Hear about my journey with rock climbing, and why facing my fears, head-on was the best decision I ever made.

Discover how engaging in activities that push your boundaries releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, building new neural pathways and reinforcing positive behaviors. 

We also explore Dr. Carol Dweck's groundbreaking research on the growth mindset and how adopting this mentality can help you conquer life’s bigger challenges. 

Whether learning a new skill, taking up an adrenaline-pumping sport, or tackling a daunting project, find out how to inject more F-U-N into your life and make every day an adventure.

For more information and strategies on Fueling Unstoppable Nerve, check out these valuable resources:

• Dai Manuel's Blog: Explore articles on personal development, fitness, and lifestyle optimization
• One-on-One Coaching with Dai Manuel: Get personalized guidance on building courage and confidence
• Dai Manuel's Instagram: Follow for daily inspiration and tips on living your best life

Transcript

Dai Manuel: 0:08

Hey, hey, hey, my 2% Collective Warriors, welcome back to another episode of the 2% Solution. I am your host, diamond. Well, and today, well, we're going to talk about something that I believe is crucial for living your best life. It's all about creating more opportunities for fun. Capital, f-u-n. That's right, fun, but we're not just talking about any old fun. I'm talking about an acronym for the word fun Fueling Unstoppable Nerve. This is the kind of fun that powers up your courage, boosts your confidence and gives you the grit to take on any challenge that life throws your way. So grab your favorite bed beam, get comfy and let's dive into how to bring more of this powerful fun into your life. Let's kick things off by answering a simple but powerful question what are you doing to create more opportunities for F-U-N in your life? And I mean by fun fueling unstoppable nerve. It's about more than just having a good time. Think about engaging in activities that push your boundaries, challenge your fears, ultimately build your confidence. According to a study published by the Journal of Positive Psychology, people who regularly engage in enjoyable, challenging activities report higher life satisfaction and overall well-being. Now here's the kicker these activities don't just make you happier, they also make you more resilient and better equipped to handle stress. It's like your own personal training ground for life's bigger challenges. It's like your own personal training ground for life's bigger challenges. Instead of not carving out time for F-U-N, you might be missing out on an ingredient for a fulfilling life.

Dai Manuel: 1:51

I'm going to share a little story with you. A few years back, I decided to take up a new hobby and this is going back a long time ago, like 20 some odd years Rock climbing. Now, I'm not going to lie, I was pretty scared at first. I'm not someone that you know signs up and runs out into the middle of nowhere and says, hey, I want to climb a mountain, and less and more heights, please, I mean, come on, who wouldn't be? There's always a fear of falling right. I mean, you're literally hanging by your fingertips, sometimes hundreds of feet above the ground. But here's the thing Every time I reached the top of a climb, that sense of accomplishment was like nothing I had ever felt. It was fun in the truest sense, fueling unstoppable nerve. It wasn't just about the climb itself, but about what it represented. I was facing my fears, I was pushing my limits way, way outside my comfort zone, but I was also proving to myself that I could do things that I believed weren't possible before.

Dai Manuel: 2:52

Now, that's the kind of fun I want to encourage you to seek out. It doesn't have to be rock climbing, of course. It could be anything that challenges you and gets your adrenaline pumping. Maybe learning a new skill, taking up a new sport like rock climbing, or maybe break dancing right, I mean, did you see that in the Olympics? Oh, my goodness, and shout out to the Wicked from Vancouver who brought home the gold. It was frigging awesome. If you haven't seen the replays of the YouTube videos, go check out the breaking competition from the Olympics. Holy smokes, it was awesome. Anyways, I totally digress, but it can be something like that, right, learning a new skill, taking up a new sport, or even tackling a big project at work. The key is to find something that pushes you out of your comfort zone and into the growth.

Dai Manuel: 3:38

Now, what about the science behind why this kind of fun is so powerful? When you engage in activities that are both enjoyable and challenging, your brain releases a cocktail of feel-good chemicals. Some of these include dopamine, endorphins, serotonin. These chemicals not only make you feel great in the moment, but they also help reinforce positive behaviors and build new neural pathways. Thank you neuroscientists and all the great work that they're doing. I've been proven.

Dai Manuel: 4:11

A study from Harvard Medical School found that people who regularly engage in challenging activities are more likely to develop what's known as a growth mindset. Not familiar with that Past episode, I talked about it quite in detail. Some of the research by Dr Carol Dweck. She wrote a book called Mindset Growth Mindset and if you haven't seen her TED Talk, go check it out. Really great resource. But this is the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort, learning and a whole lot of persistence, aka elbow grease. In other words, the more you push yourself, the more your brain adapts and grows, and that's a powerful tool for building confidence and resilience. But if it's cool, it for building confidence and resilience. But it's cool, it doesn't just stop there.

Dai Manuel: 4:57

Engaging in FUN activities can also reduce stress, improve mental clarity and boost your immune system. According to research published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, people who make time for enjoyable, challenging activities are less likely to suffer from chronic stress and more likely to maintain a positive outlook on life. I mean, it's kind of like giving your mind and body a much-needed tour. Now how can you start bringing more FUN into your life? Here's a few practical tips.

Dai Manuel: 5:29

Number one identify your comfort zone. Take a moment to reflect on what activities make you feel comfortable. Now think about how you can push just a little bit outside of that, maybe just 2% outside of that. It doesn't have to be a giant leap. Sometimes the smallest steps lead to the biggest changes.

Dai Manuel: 5:47

Number two set challenges. Whether it's signing up for a race like a Spartan or a Tough Mudder, learning a new language or taking on a big project at work, set challenges that excite and scare you at the same time. Remember the goal is to stretch your boundaries, not to break them. Number three make it social. Doing things alone is great, but sharing those experiences with others can amplify the fun and build a sense of community. Invite a friend to join you in your next adventure or join a group that shares your interest. Number four reflect on your wins. After each experience, take some time to reflect on what you've achieved, celebrate the small victories and recognize how each challenge has fueled your unstoppable nerve, especially as it creates that belief in yourself that you can do challenging things.

Dai Manuel: 6:39

And lastly, number five prioritize fun in your schedule. It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind, but making time for FUN should be a priority. Treat it like an important appointment because, quite frankly, it is Wow 2% Collective. That's it for today's episode. I'm creating more opportunities for fun in your life. Remember, it's not just about having a good time. It's about fueling your courage, boosting your confidence and powering up your unsupportable nerve to take on whatever life throws your way.

Dai Manuel: 7:13

As always, thank you for tuning in to the 2% Solution. If you got fired up with today's episode, share with a friend who might need a little bit more FUN in their life. And don't forget to follow us on social media and leave a review if you're loving the podcast. I absolutely love those. As I've said in past episodes, it's like getting a high five for my ears. So thank you in advance. And then, lastly, stay courageous, stay adventurous, keep pushing your limits, even if just 2% at a time. I'm Diamond Wall and you've been listening to the 2% Solution. Let's keep thriving together. I'll catch you in the next episode.