Throughout my career, the pounding in my heart, the fright, has

In the words of Nina Tassler, a woman who rose to the heights of the entertainment world, we hear a confession that is at once tender and powerful: “Throughout my career, the pounding in my heart, the fright, has been ever-present, but I never turned back. Fear can be a highly motivational part of the journey.” This is no denial of weakness, no attempt to paint herself as unshaken. It is the admission of truth—that fear never leaves us, even when we succeed, but that it can be harnessed as fire, as fuel, as the very wind that propels us forward.

The origin of these words lies in Tassler’s own journey through an industry filled with uncertainty, rivalry, and expectation. She does not claim that courage is the absence of fear; instead, she teaches that courage is the mastery of fear. The ancients understood this well: they taught that the hero is not one who feels no trembling, but one who hears the trembling of his heart and yet walks into battle. Tassler’s words echo this eternal wisdom—that fright, rather than being a chain, can become a compass guiding us toward growth.

History gives us countless mirrors of this truth. Consider the tale of Joan of Arc, the young maiden who, though trembling before kings and armies, did not turn back from her divine calling. The pounding of her heart must have been deafening, yet she used it not as an excuse to flee, but as proof that her mission mattered. It was her very fear that gave weight to her courage, for without fear there is no true bravery. Like Tassler, Joan shows us that the energy of fear can be transmuted into power, propelling one toward destiny.

Even in the philosophical tradition, fear was not despised but understood. The Stoics taught that life is filled with uncertainty and threat, and that while fear is natural, it must not rule the soul. Marcus Aurelius admitted to dread and doubt, yet he counseled himself daily to stand firm, to remember that fear is a sign of what we care for. To feel fright is to know that the moment is significant; to use that fright as energy is to transform weakness into greatness. Tassler’s wisdom walks in the shadow of this same teaching.

The meaning of her words is that fear is not the enemy. Too often we wait for the day when fear will vanish, believing only then can we act. But Tassler reminds us that such a day never comes. The heart will always pound, the breath will always tighten, the shadows of doubt will always loom. The secret is not to wait for fear’s departure, but to act in its presence, to let it sharpen our focus, to let it remind us that we are alive and striving for something that matters.

The lesson for us is clear: embrace fear as part of the journey. When your heart pounds before a great task, do not shrink back—know instead that this is a sign of importance. Let it motivate you, as fire motivates the blacksmith to shape iron, as the storm motivates the sailor to master his craft. Fear is not a curse; it is the great awakener of human potential.

Practical counsel is this: when fear comes, pause and breathe, but do not retreat. Name the fear, then take one step forward in spite of it. Transform the pounding in your heart into a drumbeat that drives your march. Write down the tasks you dread most, and instead of avoiding them, make them your first victories of the day. Over time, fear will become not your master, but your companion, reminding you always that you are walking the path of growth.

Thus, Tassler’s words shine like a torch in the night: “Fear can be a highly motivational part of the journey.” Let them echo in your heart whenever doubt rises. Remember that the heroes of history were not fearless—they were men and women who carried fear on their shoulders and still pressed forward. So too can you, child of tomorrow. Fear is not your prison; it is your proving ground. Step forward, and let its fire make you great.