Up to 84 percent of people have an irrational fear.
If you’re struggling with fear of something, it can help to hear about other people’s stories of courage. Read below for examples of the rich and famous who have overcome their fears.
We can learn a lot from their motivational and inspiring stories of determination. Let’s get started!
1. Gandhi’s Stage Fright
Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most famous political and spiritual leaders of the 20th century.
He successfully led the Indian independence movement, which culminated in the founding of the modern-day Republic of India.
But, not many people realize that Gandhi could barely manage to utter a couple of words on stage.
During his twenties, he would suffer from panic attacks whenever he talked in public. During one speech to a group in London, he couldn’t even finish.
He later explained what he had experienced. He said, “my vision became blurred and I trembled.” He added, “though the speech hardly covered a sheet of foolscap.”
He continued to worry about what he described as the “awful strain of public speaking” over much of his life.
When Gandhi discovered his passion for the freedom and independence of India, he found the strength to confront his fear.
He advised anyone who struggles with a similar fear to “be stubborn.” You should focus on the “people who will benefit and wish to serve them by solidly banging the drum for what you know to be true.”
2. Hugh Laurie’s Embarrassment
Surely comedians and actors don’t fear embarrassment, right? How could they do what they without the confidence to face up to shyness?
The star of the medical drama House, Hugh Laurie says otherwise. He claimed that even though he was pretty confident, “messing up my lines and making a fool of myself is where you find my fears.”
Laurie said that “the dread that everyone’s sort of sniggering at you, that you’re going to look like an idiot.” He continued, “I think that sort of halts us all.”
So, what does Hugh Laurie do when he has to face his fear?
He says, “there’s almost no such thing as ready. There’s only now.”
This is something the British comic legend says to himself when he’s about to “go bungee jumping or something.”
He reminds us, “now is as good a time as any.”
3. Oprah’s Balloon-Phobia
What could the “Queen of all Media” possibly be scared of?
Surely, it would have to be pretty terrifying for the most influential woman in the world to fear it.
Well, apparently not. Oprah has a fear of balloons.
She was forced to confront this fear when her staff on The Oprah Winfrey Show arranged for her a party with balloons for her 40th birthday.
She says the popping of balloons reminds her of the sound of gunfire. She adds, generally, “it really freaks me out.”
However, she has shown that you can overcome your fears however irrational.
As she puts it, “There are a few things in life, if you allow them to, can really keep you from moving forward.” She urges people who are scared of things, “you really have to walk through it.”
4. Colin Farrell’s Struggle with Alcohol
The Irish actor Colin Farrel has had an extremely successful career in movies and TV. However, you may be surprised to hear that Farrell struggled for several years with addiction.
He describes the fear of giving up alcohol. He said, “I was terrified!”
Since he had always consumed alcohol, he started to believe that his alcoholism was connected with his ability as an actor.
He explains that he feared that “whatever my capacity as an actor was beforehand.” He continues, “…that it would completely disappear.”
While he declares it “nonsense” now, he thought that “to express yourself in an artistic form in life, you have to live in perpetual pain.”
While he overcame his fear, he’s now extremely grateful for life. He says, “I have more fun in life now.” He adds, “I just laugh more.”
The star of In Bruges has since been sober for over more than a decade.
5. Jodie Foster’s Truth
Jodie Foster has been an actress in the public eye since childhood. And yet, she has said that she “values privacy against all else.”
As one of the A-list movie stars of Hollywood, it’s to be expected that she would be constantly bombarded with questions about her personal life.
She had the courage to refuse the media any insights into her private life. As she said, “it would be trivializing my life – selling it for a magazine.”
Upon accepting an award at the Global Globes in 2013, she uttered, “I have a sudden urge to say something that I’ve never been able to air in public.”
While everyone thought they knew what she was going to share due to the speculation about her sexuality.
She said, “loud and proud.” Just when everyone expected the words, “I’m gay”, she shared, “I’m single.”
It took courage to come out in such a funny and public manner. But, that’s what Jodie Foster did on that night at the Globes.
6. Adele’s Celebrity Fear
The English singer Adele is now one of the biggest names in the music industry. She’s also extremely famous!
We always forget that when a famous person meets another famous person, they also get “star struck.”
Well, Adele was terrified of meeting another celeb. The prospect of an encounter with Beyonce was beyond scary. She described it as “a full blown anxiety attack.”
What did she do? She invented an alter-ego for herself. The character of Sasha Carter was born, in which she could always look to when she felt scared.
Stories of Courage
Are you suffering from fear? You can learn a lot from these stories of courage.
It can be helpful to read about these inspirational stories about courage. Famous people who have overcome their fear to come out the other side.
If you want to read more blog posts like this one, check out our blog on how to improve your self-esteem.