From Desert Canyoneering to Aquatic Adventures

Chronicles of an Over-thinker Determined to get over fear The first time I tried canyoneering in the desert October of 2019, it felt like the perfect way to connect with nature and challenge myself. It wasn’t just about pushing past fear—it was about discovering what I was made of, surrounded by friends, having deep, great conversations, and stretching my limits in a setting that felt like an extension of my backyard. But this—this is love. This is commitment on another level. Now, I’m driving up to four hours each way to immerse myself in aquatic canyoneering. The fear runs deeper, and yet, so does the thrill. It’s no longer about just expanding my comfort zone; it’s about diving into something that feels so far removed from the “tame” desert that I used to call wild. I’m investing in gear, time, practicing, commuting, showing up with unfamiliar faces, and trusting the pull of the current to guide me. Pleasant chats with friends? No- You can’t even hear people, we whistle to communicate. Every time, it pushes me further, not just physically but emotionally. I’ve learned that to truly diminish fear, you have to reach beyond what’s in front of you. Aquatic canyoning is the next level, the stretch above the desert causing it to feel like a leisurely long walk in the park. It’s calling me to hone new skills. Is there another level that could make this feel tame… or have I reached the edge? Perhaps deepening my white water rafting, winter ocean swimming, PNW surfing in the colder months, cold plunging, and ocean sailing will help me expand past this to shrink the perceived risk and the fear it induces? How do you get over the fear and only into the love of the flow. I know there’s love there. When I’m in it I’m smiling, singing and alive. I don’t know, this might be the height of exposure and perhaps the extent of the canyons and my role in ownership just gets deeper, bigger and faster to continue expansion and mastery. Whatever it takes, I’m all in. Because this isn’t just a hobby. It’s love, pure and unfiltered. I’m committed to finding joy, not just in conquering my fears but in embracing the journey they take me on and the person they shape me to become.