When I was younger, I had an annoying fear of heights. I was held back in life from having tons of fun on rollercoasters, Ferris wheels, and sometimes, even escalators.

Trying to overcome this fear was extremely difficult for me until I was 16 years old. That was the age I participated in my first high ropes course at AYC in 2010. The ropes course helped me so much, especially the high ropes. It was absolutely amazing!

My first experience helped me more fully enjoy the high ropes course in 2011.

In 2010, I was intimidated by the obstacles. Looking up, it felt as if the ropes were 1,000 feet in the air. My heart was pounding, my palms sweating, and I wanted to run away!

The first challenge involved walking across a log positioned between two trees 30 feet in the air. It seemed as though it was the highest obstacle there.

As I climbed, adrenaline rushed through my veins. But since I did not want to fail, I forced myself to seriously “man up.” Crossing the log, it seemed each step I took was faster than the one before. I tried my best not to look down. Before I knew it, the venture was over.

After that, I gained greater self-esteem and wanted to do almost every challenge (except for the freefall, which involves jumping from a high platform to the ground below while wearing a harness).

The toughest challenge I did was the Giant’s Ladder. This obstacle is a ladder suspended about 60 feet in the air and has enormous beams six feet apart. My brother and I were the ones chosen to try and conquer this course. It took about 10 minutes for us to get on and start to climb. While we were waiting, the ladder scared me to death! My legs felt like they were made of jelly!

When they told us to climb, I forced myself to turn it into “high gear,” and just started going.

By the time we got to the third beam, the obstacle was becoming increasingly difficult. My brother and I had to step on each other, and push or pull with all our might. We made it to the fifth beam out of seven before we reached a point where it seemed like our muscles were about to give out.

After I got back on the ground, I realized I had not felt fear while on the ladder. I was able to overcome by putting a “just do it” attitude into practice while climbing.

Looking back on AYC 2010 a year later, I realized that it is only when you face your fears that you appreciate how much fun you can have. If you are trapped inside your fear, it will hold you back from living life to the fullest. As one American president said, “The only thing you have to fear is fear itself.”

Through AYC, I have learned that it is necessary to always push yourself and confront your fears. If you do not, you will regret it later.

Whatever your fear, you can always push yourself to overcome it. I am living proof of this!