True confessions: A city gal wrangles cattle! A mom drives a dogsled! A tarantula-fearing young woman becomes an Amazon jungle guide! The fearlessness of Real Simple readers knows no bounds. But sometimes an act of bravery is a more low-key affair, like moving to a new state on a whim, changing careers in midlife, or—the emotional equivalent of bungee jumping—learning to accept yourself, flaws and all.

This Month’s Winner

On the Radio
The most fearless thing I have done is going back to school in my 40s to pursue an old love: radio. What a shock to the system! I left a secure job in medical sales to face countless hours of studying with people half my age, researching and editing news stories far into the night — and tripping over my tongue when I switched on the microphone. But I survived, I grew, and I learned about the work, my life, and myself. I’m now at a local radio station here in Vancouver, having more fun than I had imagined possible.
Angela Sargent
Vancouver, British Columbia
Angela will receive a copy of Real Simple Meals Made Easy.

Physical Feats

My dearest friend, Pam, lost her battle against cancer in 1998. Although I’m no athlete, I rode my bike across the country and raised almost $34,000 for cancer research. Through every mile of my 52-day journey, Pam was with me.
Juliana Clarkson
Golden Valley, Minnesota

When I was in my 20s, I left my job as a bank teller and joined the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus as a showgirl. I had seen the act in my hometown and thought, I could do that. I auditioned and got hired.
Debra Lusk
Beaumont, Texas

It took me years to get up the nerve, but at 42, I entered a snowboarding race against men half my age. I probably had the slowest finishing time, but I finished.
Deb Sanders
Jackson, Wyoming

Last spring I posed nude for an art class. Up until that point, I could count on one hand the number of people who had seen me naked, including doctors. The experience of having people observe me in my birthday suit was both terrifying and invigorating. I realized that if I could drop my inhibitions so completely, the way I dropped my robe, I could find the confidence to do anything — including leaving my unhappy marriage. I’m now single and loving it.
Amy Fortier
Enfield, New Hampshire

Watching an IMAX film over 10 years ago sparked my interest in ice climbing. But having grown up in sunny Florida and being quite a klutz, I was filled with doubt. Plus, I was a middle-aged mother of three who didn’t know a single thing about the sport. Could I climb several stories above the ground, supported by only my axes, crampons, and belayer? Yes! I did it. I went ice climbing in Ouray, Colorado. It was the best time I ever had.
Michelle Brock
Lawrenceville, Georgia

I have never been athletic and usually wimp out of any activity that even hints at bodily harm. But while working as a publicist for a ranch in Arizona, this city girl somehow found herself on horseback, participating in a team penning competition. Along with four others, I was supposed to lead my horse to corral longhorn cattle into a pen. It took a lot of bravery to stay on that horse, but as we galloped across the corral and I heard the wranglers cheering me on, I realized I had never felt so exhilarated. It inspired me to take chances — not despite my fear, but because of it. Oh, and our team brought home second-place ribbons.
Carly Kuper
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I reluctantly agreed to accompany my adventure-loving husband on a trip to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, in Vancouver, and soon came face-to-face with my ultimate fear: heights. On my first attempt, I faltered and could not cross. However, my husband encouraged me to try again. This time he led the way and I followed. I managed to cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge, on shaky but determined legs. I was successful and proud of the terrifying feat I had accomplished. The only problem was that once I had made it across, I still had to go back!
Elizabeth Veiss
Union, New Jersey

My family went dogsledding in Quebec. I had romantic images of gliding along with an expert driver at the helm while I was snugly wrapped in blankets and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Reality hit me full force as our charming French guide spent 20 minutes teaching me how to drive the team. In his quaint way, he explained that dogs have no brakes and only one gear: Go! If we fell off, the dogs would not wait for us. We hooked up, planted our feet on the narrow blades, and held on. At times, only one of the two blades was on land, while the other hung out over a precipice. Those five hours were equal parts frightening, thrilling, and empowering.
Jayne Thomson-McWilliams
Oakville, Ontario