Create the Courage to be Fearless

Anita Mattu

Create the Courage to be Fearless Podcast. •Diverse •Inspiring and •Insightful Conversations with a variety of guests, all of whom have faced personal challenges and found their way from fear to freedom, whether through life changing situations, or by overcoming taboos, secrets or shame. Every Tuesday new episodes with a conversation with a Courageous guest, a Solo episode with me, or a Masterclass full of insightful nuggets and wisdom. It is my deepest wish that you connect with that place of Courage within YOU to do the same and live your best life.

  1. 9H AGO

    Ken Posner: Barefoot Running, 100 Marathons & 600 Mountains EP 216

    Send us Fan Mail What would it feel like to move through the world with nothing between you and the ground? In this episode, I’m joined by Ken Posner—runner, writer, and financial analyst—who has completed over 100 marathons and ultramarathons, including nearly 30 barefoot, and climbed more than 600 mountains without shoes. We explore the reality of barefoot running and hiking—from the sharp pain of gravel to the quiet pleasure of moss—and how moving this way demands focus, balance, and patience. Ken shares how these experiences go far beyond physical challenge, becoming a practice in mindfulness, discipline, and self-awareness. We also dive into his latest book, Chasing the Grid, where he documents a long-term mountain challenge and his pursuit of something deeper through endurance and time in nature. Along the way, we discuss the connection between movement and spirituality, the influence of transcendentalist thinking, and how stepping away from constant digital noise can restore clarity and presence. Ken reflects on a pivotal night hike where his ego fell silent, opening up a new perspective on anger, defensiveness, and the way we show up—both outdoors and online. This conversation is ultimately about learning to manage yourself when things get hard, and finding calm in the middle of effort. If you’re interested in barefoot running, ultramarathons, mindset, or reconnecting with nature in a more intentional way, this episode offers a grounded and thoughtful perspective. Subscribe for more conversations on performance, mindset, and living with intention—and share this episode with someone who could use a reset. You can connect with Ken at www.barefootken.com If you are enjoying my work then you can support me by 'buying me a coffee' at this page   I look forward to connecting with you Anita Mattu https://linktr.ee/AnitaMattu

    54 min
  2. APR 6

    Reclaiming The Crone: The Midlife Power Shift Women Need | Jennifer Jefferies EP 215

    Send us Fan Mail Women are being told to stay quiet, look younger, push harder and cope better—then we act surprised when burnout hits. In this episode, we sit down with TEDx speaker, naturopath, author and speaker Jennifer Jefferies, who brings over 30 years of experience to a powerful conversation about stress, exhaustion and what’s really going on in women’s bodies in midlife and beyond. We unpack the patterns she sees every day: broken sleep, low energy, mood swings and weight changes that don’t respond to “eat clean, exercise more.” From adrenal health and cortisol to the gut-brain connection, this episode connects the dots between chronic stress and why your body starts to slow down and protect itself. You’ll also hear a refreshingly honest take on sleep—why your bedroom should be device-free, and how sleep trackers and wearables may be increasing anxiety rather than improving rest. Then we zoom out to the bigger cultural conversation behind Jennifer’s TEDx talk, Who Killed the Crone. We explore menopause, boundaries, voice and what happens when women stop being “good” and start being honest. The crone—the modern-day wise woman—isn’t something to fear, it’s something to reclaim. If you’re ready for practical tools, a clearer mindset and permission to age with strength, this episode is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with the one habit you’re changing first. Link to website - https://jenniferjefferies.com/about/ Links to any Books written - https://jenniferjefferies.com/product/fck-the-stress-book/ If you are enjoying my work then you can support me by 'buying me a coffee' at this page   I look forward to connecting with you Anita Mattu https://linktr.ee/AnitaMattu

    1 hr
  3. MAR 30

    The Wild Self: How Nature Helps You Reset, Regulate & Come Back to Life | Emma Pruen EP 214

    Send us Fan Mail Your calendar is full, your mind is busy, and yet something still feels missing. In this deeply grounding conversation, Emma Pruen, author of Wild Self and shamanic practitioner, explores how reconnecting with nature can help us regulate the nervous system, process grief, access intuition, and return to a more authentic way of living. We begin with Emma’s extraordinary story of carrying dissident letters into occupied Tibet, and the real-world courage it demanded. From there, we explore the quieter courage required in everyday life: slowing down, stepping outside, and creating tiny moments of presence that help you feel more alive. Emma shares simple micro nature practices you can do in under two minutes, powerful tools for calming stress, improving decision-making, and building a deeper sense of belonging on the earth. We also talk honestly about grief, sound baths, ritual spaces, staying safe in unfamiliar workshops, and why rewilding and self-development should include men as much as women. If you’ve been feeling burnt out, disconnected, or emotionally flat, this episode offers practical, no-cost ways to reset and reconnect. In this episode, we explore: How nature supports nervous system regulationTiny daily practices to reduce stress and overwhelmReconnecting with intuition through stillnessNature as support for grief and emotional healingCourage, authenticity, and the path back to selfSafe ways to explore rituals, workshops, and healing spacesPress play for a calming, practical conversation on nature connection, wellbeing, and coming back to life. If this episode resonates, please subscribe, share it with someone who needs a reset, and leave a review to help more people discover the show. ‘Wild Self’ available for pre order here www.emmapruen.com Book a chat www.instagram.com/emmalpruen If you are enjoying my work then you can support me by 'buying me a coffee' at this page   I look forward to connecting with you Anita Mattu https://linktr.ee/AnitaMattu

    38 min
  4. MAR 24

    Visibility Anxiety Explained: How To Calm Your Nervous System And Show Up | Cheryl B. Engelhardt EP 213

    Send us Fan Mail Your palms sweat. Your throat tightens. You hover over “publish” or “send,” and suddenly your brain goes blank. Why does showing up feel so unsafe—and how can we move through it with courage? In this episode of Create the Courage to Be Fearless, we sit down with Cheryl B. Engelhardt, two-time Grammy-nominated composer, artist, and certified trauma-informed coach. Cheryl shares the tender story of a courageous creative leap: two weeks after losing her best friend and collaborator, she boarded a train across the country and told her fans she might make an album on the ride. That moment of honesty, uncertainty, and action became a turning point—and opens a wider conversation about visibility anxiety, performance fear, and nervous system regulation. We dive into practical strategies for healing the source of fear, not just managing symptoms: Grounding exercises and present-moment techniquesInner child work for self-compassionSpeaking to the part of you that believes being seen is unsafeCheryl also explains Rooted Results, her framework for aligning creativity, productivity, communication, and confidence—by calming the nervous system first. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or professional, this episode gives tools to step forward with courage, clarity, and fearlessness. 🎧 If this episode resonates, subscribe for more conversations on courage and visibility, share with a friend who’s playing small, and leave a review to help more creators find it. Instagram: www.instagram.com/cbemusic  Website: www.rootedresults.org  www.cbemusic.com Retreat: www.inthekey.co/retreat If you are enjoying my work then you can support me by 'buying me a coffee' at this page   I look forward to connecting with you Anita Mattu https://linktr.ee/AnitaMattu

    36 min
  5. MAR 10

    Becoming A Novelist at 73: Fear, Reinvention, And Dark Thrillers | Sarah P. Blanchard EP 211

    Send us Fan Mail Sarah P. Blanchard didn’t publish her first novel until she was seventy-three—but her journey to becoming a thriller writer was anything but ordinary. In this episode, we explore how fear, curiosity, and lifelong learning shaped a path from rural farm life to writing dark, gripping mysteries. Sarah shares the bold choices that shaped her life, including leaving Massachusetts to spend seven years in Hawaii and working at the Gemini Observatory alongside scientists debating exoplanets and the fate of Pluto. Those experiences—along with her time as a volunteer firefighter—gave her firsthand insight into risk, pressure, and the quiet courage it takes to move forward even when you’re afraid. We also dive into the craft of writing suspense. Sarah explains why mysteries and thrillers resonate so deeply with readers: they allow us to explore danger while still holding onto a core human hope for justice. She shares the guiding mantra that shapes both her life and her storytelling: plan for the worst, hope for the best, handle what happens. Sarah opens up about the real work behind becoming a writer—classes, beta readers, tough revisions, and learning to cut beloved scenes while keeping the heart of the story. Her journey proves it’s never too late to start creating. In fact, she’s already researching her next novel set in a planetarium, pairing an astronomer with a ventriloquist. If you’ve ever dreamed about writing a book—or starting something new later in life—this conversation will inspire you to begin. Sarah’s advice is simple: start now, work in small chunks, protect your focus, and build momentum one step at a time. 🎧 Listen in to discover how fear can become a companion instead of a barrier—and why the best time to start creating might be today. Website https://www.sarahpblanchard.com Drawn from Life https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVFB65JS  Grabtown   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKJQKK9P If you are enjoying my work then you can support me by 'buying me a coffee' at this page   I look forward to connecting with you Anita Mattu https://linktr.ee/AnitaMattu

    36 min
  6. MAR 3

    Muted No More: ADHD And Eating Disorder Recovery – Reclaiming Your Voice | Tina Lembo EP 210

    Send us Fan Mail A voice can be silenced in a moment — and reclaimed in one too. In this powerful conversation, Tina Lembo shares her journey from being an eight-year-old silenced in choir to years of masking, starvation, secrecy, and self-criticism. What began as a classmate’s comment grew into disordered eating patterns intertwined with ADHD, impulsivity, and a deep need for control. For years, she became an expert at hiding. Everything shifted when a wellness speaker said four piercing words: “Stop killing yourself.” That sentence cut through decades of shame and marked the beginning of eating disorder recovery. We explore: The hidden link between ADHD and eating disordersHow impulsivity and sensory seeking can fuel disordered eatingWhy so many high-functioning sufferers go unnoticedSubtle warning signs parents should watch forWhat recovery actually looks like — messy, non-linear, and deeply humanTina shares the small, unglamorous shifts that mattered most: adding real food back in, rebuilding energy, serving others, and stepping outside the echo chamber of self-criticism. Out of her journey comes ARC — Authenticity, Reconnection, Kindness — a daily framework for coming back to yourself. If you or someone you love is struggling with ADHD, disordered eating, shame, or self-worth, this episode offers a compassionate and practical path forward. Recovery isn’t the absence of fear. It’s doing the next right thing while afraid. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: which part of ARC will you practice today? www.tinainspireshope.com If you are enjoying my work then you can support me by 'buying me a coffee' at this page   I look forward to connecting with you Anita Mattu https://linktr.ee/AnitaMattu

    37 min
5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Create the Courage to be Fearless Podcast. •Diverse •Inspiring and •Insightful Conversations with a variety of guests, all of whom have faced personal challenges and found their way from fear to freedom, whether through life changing situations, or by overcoming taboos, secrets or shame. Every Tuesday new episodes with a conversation with a Courageous guest, a Solo episode with me, or a Masterclass full of insightful nuggets and wisdom. It is my deepest wish that you connect with that place of Courage within YOU to do the same and live your best life.