Riding the Rock Slab

The Ripple Effect of Courage and Confidence

Courage starts the ripple — confidence carries it forward.

Today, I had the absolute joy of joining two incredible women for a mountain bike skills session. The highlight? A large, intimidating rock slab that jutted out like a concrete wave in the middle of the trail. It loomed ahead of us—big, bold, and not at all subtle.

Our coach looked at each of us and calmly said, “You all have the technical skills to ride this safely.” And logically, we knew he was right. We had practiced the moves. We’d drilled the techniques. But logic doesn’t always quiet the nerves.

We were nervous. All of us. Our stomachs fluttered as we scoped out the line. We played out every “what if” scenario in our heads.

What if I slip? What if I fall? What if I freeze?

And then — one by one — we rolled down that slab.

Successfully. Cleanly. Proudly.

The feeling afterward was electric.

One Bold Moment Can Change Everything

That moment wasn’t just about riding a rock. It was about courage. It was about facing fear, choosing to believe in yourself for one brave second, and doing the hard thing anyway. And in that moment of action, something shifted: we didn’t just ride a feature, we rewired our confidence.

Kate Courtney once said, “Sometimes courage comes before confidence.” She’s right. That single act of courage lit a fire. Suddenly, everything else on the trail felt more manageable. Rocky descent? Bring it on. Steep roll-down? I’ve got this. Because we had already done the scariest thing. We had faced fear and moved through it.

Your Confidence Isn’t Just for the Trail

But here’s the part that really matters: that kind of confidence doesn’t just live on a trail. It carries over.

That job interview you’re scared of?

That conversation you’ve been avoiding?

That dream you keep putting off because you don’t feel “ready”?

That’s your rock slab.

And here’s what today reminded me:

Confidence isn’t something you’re given. It’s something you build. And it starts with one bold choice. One decision to trust yourself, even when your hands are shaking and your heart is pounding. Every time you step outside your comfort zone, you add a layer to your confidence.

You grow stronger. Braver. More certain of what you’re capable of.

Today, I Was Reminded Why I Ride

Today reminded me — again — why I love this sport so deeply.

It’s not just about bikes or trails or technical features. It’s about what happens inside us when we do something hard. When we face fear and choose courage anyway. When we surprise ourselves with what we’re capable of.

Mountain biking teaches me to believe in myself — not just on the trail, but in every part of my life. It shows me that I can do scary things. That I can keep showing up, even when I’m unsure. That confidence is built, one bold moment at a time.

And maybe the best part? It helps me see that same strength in others. It reminds me that we’re all learning, growing, and pushing through our own versions of rock slabs — and that we can lift each other up as we go.

Today, I rode with two amazing women. We supported each other, cheered each other on, and celebrated together at the bottom. We didn’t just build skills — we built belief.

And that’s why I keep coming back to the trail.

Because every ride teaches me a little more about who I am.

And every ride reminds me — we’re stronger than we think.