We asked some brilliant folks from the community to talk to us about how they think about risk and the role risk has played in their lives and careers.

Shawnae Jebbia

My entire life has been about taking risks and pushing myself to my deepest capabilities. I became a national figure skater at age 8, and went on to be a scholared Division 1 volleyball player in college. Graduating with honors in Communications, I am proud to have had a successful career in television for over 20 years. Read More>>

Mark Brasuell

First off thank you for reaching out to me again for an update on what I am doing. Being an abstract artist basically means getting real comfortable with risk—or at least learning how to laugh when it punches you in the gut. There’s no manual, no “right way” to throw paint around, so starting a new piece kind of feels like jumping off a cliff and hoping you land on something soft. Sometimes it’s magic. Other times it’s… well, let’s just say a very expensive mess that looks like a lunatic had a meltdown with art supplies. But that’s part of it. You show up, trust your gut, and try not to freak out when your gut suddenly changes its mind halfway through. Read More>>

Rosy Foster

When it comes to taking risks- I am a firm believer that they are essential to the becoming of your person. To take a risk is to push beyond the boundaries of the “known” and the “comfortable” and risks help us uncover versions of ourselves that we would other wise not know.

Taking risks has always been in my nature. I’ve always been eager and curious to see places that have never been shown to me- to uncover that that has yet to be uncovered. Taking risks has helped me overcome one of my greatest life obstacles: fear. Read More>>

 Maaz Scott

For me, risk isn’t just about chasing rare stones—it’s about chasing freedom. The freedom to be my own boss, to shape a life on my terms, and to not just survive, but thrive doing something I believe in. I’ve never followed the conventional path. I’ve walked away from stability more than once, invested everything into uncertain ventures, and trusted my gut in places most people wouldn’t go. Read More>>

Antonette Kristina Camacho

Taking a risk to pursue your dreams can be frightening at first but it’s definitely worth it!

I had to decide what I was most important to me. What my goals were for myself and for my family. Read More>>

Kevin Kyes

Risk-taking is part of life. Every day we get out of bed, we’re accepting some level of risk — and we do it with the belief that our steps will lead us safely back home at the end of the day. That same mindset has carried over into my life and career.

We all take risks, but only a few choose to take the big ones — the ones that can change everything. One quote that’s stuck with me since I walked out of the Denver Rescue Mission 12 years ago is by Les Brown: “If you think trying is risky, wait until they hand you the bill for not trying.” That hit me deeply, and it’s guided how I approach everything. Read More>>

Huck ‘N Pray Fintan Canning, Cory Shishik, Will Berbaum, Axel Pearson

As a band, we are about to embark on our riskiest move yet. We’ve only been playing music together and gigging for a little over a year, so we’ve been relatively sheltered so far. We’re college students up in Boulder, so most of our music is played at local theaters, venues, frat events, and house parties. There hasn’t been much risk involved in our journey yet, besides things like trying out new material or branching into other genres, but that is all about to change as we head out on the road for our summer tour. Read More>>

Amber Espinoza

Risk has shaped everything I’ve built. I didn’t have a roadmap, just a vision and a relentless belief that everything would work out, even if it didn’t go as planned. Taking risks is how Unapologetic Worldwide was born. It wasn’t just about starting a brand, it was about starting a movement rooted in truth, healing, and radical self-acceptance. And let’s be real, not everyone was ready for that. Read More>>

Darby Fields

I view risk-taking as an opportunity to build distress tolerance and foster personal growth. Whether it’s the anxiety leading up to a decision, the satisfaction of success, or the disappointment of falling short, navigating such a range of emotions is essential for growth. Starting my practice was a financial, emotional, and deeply personal risk. Read More>>