May 1, 2025

What Golf, Sewing, and Coaching Taught Me About Courage

I leverage 18+ years in Stanford tech to help emerging leaders think strategically, build influence, and execute with confidence, so you’re seen, heard and valued where it matters most.

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Golf. Sewing. Coaching.

Three things that seemingly have nothing in common—and yet, all three have terrified me and taught me invaluable lessons.

Let’s start with golf. ​ Every swing feels like a spotlight moment. The club makes contact… and the ball rolls a few feet. Or I launch a divot the size of a small country. Or worse—my swing is so awkward, it sends a shockwave up my arm.

When my family cheers, “Great contact!” I smile, but inside, I cringe. I used to be afraid to play alone. Then I was afraid to play with strangers. Now? I get nervous just thinking about showing up at a course I don’t know. Last week, I almost had the courage to try the Stanford Golf Course. I even called. They didn’t pick up. I hung up in relief!

So I went back to the course I knew.
​Next time, I told myself. (And I meant it.)

Then there’s sewing…

One time, I made a pair of pajama pants. When I proudly held them up, the teacher squinted and said, “Hmmm… You sewed everything… including the leg openings.”

Yep. No way to get into them.

Another time, I made a quilt for a friend’s granddaughter. By the time I finished, it was so crooked, so imperfect. I almost didn’t give it to her. ​ But she liked it. Still uses it.

And coaching?

In my first few sessions, my hands were so sweaty I couldn’t even take notes. I kept wondering:
“Am I helping?”
“Do I even know what I’m doing?”

But I kept showing up. Practicing. Listening. Failing. Trying again.

Here’s what ties them all together:

They all require courage.
They all stretch me.
They all invite me into the unknown.

And in each of them—something shifts.
My mind quiets.
The to-do lists fade.
The overthinking pauses.

In those moments, it’s just me and the swing.
The stitch.
The conversation.

What’s the lesson here?

Do something bold. Something out of character. Something your nervous system thinks is “too much.”

Because what feels scary today might just be second nature tomorrow.
And when that happens, a new layer of courage—of you—gets built.

So tell me—what’s something you’re a little scared to try… but might just change you?

I work with high-achieving professionals who want to stop chasing validation and start leading with intention. If this resonated, try asking yourself today: “Why am I scared? What could I gain if I try?"

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