From Freezing to moving Forward

Have you ever frozen in the middle of doing something really important?

Perhaps it was before a big presentation, a job interview, or a decision that could have a significant impact on your life. One moment, everything felt clear, and the next, it was like someone pressed pause and time froze. You could feel the tension in your muscles, your breath shallow, your mind going blank.

Fun Fact

Science tells us that it takes only 90 seconds for the brain to process an emotional trigger before we react. Yet in those 90 seconds, time can feel completely frozen. This summer, I saw what that emotional trigger looks like through the eyes of a child, and what it means to move beyond it.

I had the privilege of volunteering again at Phoenix Burn Camp with the Mamigwey Burn Society in Canada. The camp is a place where young burn survivors come together to have fun, laugh, play, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

I like to call them little warriors because each of them has already faced challenges most of us can hardly imagine. Yet their energy, courage, and willingness to try new things always leave a lasting impression on me.

Lesson in Safety

One of the most exciting and anticipated activities at camp this summer was climbing the high ropes.

The instructors gathered everyone for a detailed demonstration on how to properly wear protective equipment. They explained the need for each piece, how to wear the harness, how to check that every strap and buckle was secure, and how to find the right helmet size for a proper fit. They also discussed the importance of trusting the process, following instructions, and understanding that safety equipment is required to keep everyone safe.

As someone who speaks often about safety, I was genuinely happy to see this kind of education being implemented with children. When kids learn early that equipment exists for a reason, not to limit them, but to protect them, it helps build a mindset of respect, trust, and responsibility.

The real challenge

Each camper took turns climbing a tall wooden pole, nearly nine meters high. The goal was to climb all the way to the top, and then stand and with full trust, jump forward to hit a swinging target that was tangling about five feet away, while the instructor below held the belay rope.

Simple to explain. Not so easy to do!

From Freeze to Forward

One of the kids was eager to go first. You could see the excitement on his face, a wide smile, bright eyes. He wore his harness and helmet and began to climb. Step by step, higher and higher... until he was just a few inches from the top... and he suddenly stopped. He froze.

His arms locked tightly around the pole, his legs stiffened, and no matter how much encouragement came from below, he couldn’t move. After what seemed like a very long pause, he slowly climbed back down.

When his feet touched the ground, he looked disappointed. He was quiet, almost in tears, his shoulders were heavy, and he avoided eye contact. He asked to sit alone, and we respected his need to be on his own to process what had just happened, while always keeping an eye on him to see when he was ready to talk.

The shift

And then, something shifted. It took him no more than 3 minutes before he got up, walked back to the group, and asked to try again. You could see the determination in his eyes. He secured his harness, adjusted his helmet, looked up at the pole, and began to climb again. Only this time, there were no signs of hesitation.

When he reached the top, his legs were shaking, but he stood tall, and with every ounce of courage, he leaped and hit the target.

Pure Joy

The cheers from the group echoed across the campsite, but the biggest victory was written all over his face: relief, pride, and pure joy. He had faced his fear and reached the top.

What I Learned

That young warrior reminded me of two powerful lessons. One about courage and one about safety.

Fear is not failure. Fear allows us to take the time we need before we progress. We all face moments when we freeze, not sure how to move forward. What matters most is what we do next. Sometimes, it takes a deep breath to clear our minds, or a few moments to step away from a stressful situation. Sometimes, it even takes a few tears to release tension before we’re ready to climb again. Moving forward, no matter how small the step, builds our resilience.

Safety builds our confidence to grow. Watching that young kid face his fear reminded me how crucial safety is in giving us the freedom to try again. Wearing the proper equipment, receiving clear instructions, and trusting the people supporting him made that leap possible. It's different to check off boxes on a checklist and different to actually feel safe. Feeling safe and supported can help you step out of your comfort zone and take that leap that will help you grow and reach your full potential.

So the next time you freeze, whether it’s at work, in a relationship, or just in life... remember that it’s okay to step away for a while, to take a breath, to process the situation and re-center.

And then, when you’re ready, trust your harness, your people, and the systems that support you and take that next step forward, because that step might become your greatest victory.

When was the last time you froze… and still found the courage to move forward?

I’d love to hear your thoughts or a moment from your own life when you faced fear, hesitation, or uncertainty, but still took that next step. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to read today.

#freezetoforward #couragetomove #resilienceinaction #safetymatters #mindyourmind #stepforward #PhoenixBurnCamp #BurnSurvivorCommunity