Why I Choose to Do What Scares Me — and Why You Should Too, According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

Every January, I choose three things that scare me. One personal, one professional, and one physical. Then I do them.

This year, my personal challenge was to truly focus on getting to know myself. To look in the mirror with honesty and compassion. To ask myself — What do I need? What do I love? How can I show up for myself with more kindness?

Professionally, I challenged myself to ask for help. That sounds simple, but it required me to step into vulnerability and recognize the incredible community of people who genuinely want to support my mission — to help others heal and grow.

Physically, I ran a mountain trail in Wyoming with a powerful group of friends — and my son. That experience pushed my body, but it also awakened something deeper in my spirit.

Why do I do this?

Because in Traditional Chinese Medicine, challenge is essential to longevity and vitality.

In TCM, we are born with a limited supply of Jing — our essence. It is the foundational energy we draw from throughout life. We cannot create more Jing, but we can preserve it and use it wisely. How? By keeping our Qi flowing, by balancing Yin and Yang, and by facing life with intention and courage.

When you challenge yourself — emotionally, mentally, physically — you’re stimulating the meridians, the channels where Qi moves. You’re reminding your system that you're alive. You’re nourishing not just your body, but your spirit.

If you want balance in your life, you must first understand yourself. You must choose to nurture and care for your whole being. And you must recognize that your physical body — this sacred vessel — needs to be activated. Moved. Challenged.

I’ve been doing this practice for five years. Because in 2020, my world fell apart. I was terrified. My business was devastated by the pandemic. My son had just been deployed. My daughter had moved back to live with her dad. I was living in my friend's basement. I had no clear future, no partner, no certainty.

I had nothing.

And yet, in the language of duality — you must have nothing to discover something.

In that emptiness, I found the fuel. I let fear move through me like energy in a blocked meridian — and as it moved, it made space for courage. For purpose. For vision.

And yes, I was getting acupuncture once or twice a week. I was moving my body. I was challenging not only my mind but also my soul. And slowly, the channels opened. My Qi returned. My life began to rebuild.

Not with the things I thought I needed — not money, not the ideal partner, not some perfect career — but with presence. With breath. With resilience.

I share this because maybe you are at the beginning of your own reckoning. Or maybe you’re halfway through.

Wherever you are — know this:

Challenge brings clarity. Fear is not your enemy .And your life is waiting for you to choose it.

As always, we got you! Give us a call or book online to have one of our providers help you incorporate Traditional Chinese Medicine into your life!