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Updated September 4, 2026 I was blessed to see Nik Wallenda, the famous high-wire performer, perform while I was on vacation. As impressive as Nik's balancing skills were, the message he shared about fear, persistence, and moving forward was even more impressive. Fear can hold us back. In 2017, Nik was involved in a rehearsal accident while performing an eight-person pyramid on a high wire. Five performers fell about 25 feet and were injured. Nik was on the wire but did not fall. (upi.com) The experience was serious enough that Nik considered giving up high-wire performing. But he didn't. That got me thinking about fear and chronic pain. Fear can be protective. It helps us recognize danger and avoid situations that could cause harm. But fear can also become a problem when it causes us to avoid activities that are actually safe. Fear of pain can become a cycle When pain has been present for a long time, it's understandable to become afraid of making it worse. That fear can lead to avoiding movement, exercise, activities, or situations that have become associated with pain. Avoidance may provide short-term relief from fear or distress. But over time, it can contribute to reduced activity, loss of confidence, disability, and a smaller life. This is an important part of the fear-avoidance model of chronic pain. Research has consistently found an association between greater pain-related fear and disability. The problem isn't the existence of fear. The problem is when fear starts making decisions for us. Learn to manage fear The answer isn't to ignore fear or push through everything. Instead, learn to recognize the difference between a genuine warning sign and fear based on the expectation that movement or activity will automatically cause harm. For some people, gradually approaching activities they have avoided out of fear can help build confidence and offer new experiences that challenge those expectations. This is the basic principle behind graded exposure. You don't have to wait until fear disappears before taking action. You can take a small step while fear is still present. Then another. And another. Over time, those experiences can help change what you believe you're capable of doing. Keep moving forward Watching Nik Wallenda reminded me that courage isn't the absence of fear. It's the willingness to move forward despite fear when doing so is safe and meaningful. The same can apply when living with chronic pain. You may be afraid that an activity will increase pain. You may be afraid of making things worse. You may have avoided something for so long that returning to it feels overwhelming. Start small. Choose something meaningful. Challenge the fear gradually and safely. And learn from what happens. Pain doesn't always mean harm, and fear doesn't always mean stop. Sometimes the next step is simply learning that you can do more than fear has led you to believe. Don't let fear make your life smaller than it needs to be. Watch the 2017 rehearsal accident involving Nik Wallenda and the eight-person pyramid. Related resources
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