We asked some of the most interesting folks in the community to open up about how they think about taking chances and the role risk has played in their lives and careers. Risk is by far the topic folks talk to us most about and we hope the responses below will help shed light on many different perspectives.

Victoria Clarke-jones | Kids and Teen Mental Health Coach

That’s a great question. I’ve often thought about how in some areas of my life, I’ve taken huge risks and yet, I know I’ve been pretty risk avoidant in other areas. Growing up the way I did with very little stability or certainty, it makes sense to me that I crave security as an adult. I’ve noticed my need for security comes out when it’s anything to do with my family and kids, especially having a blended family. Having studied child psychology, I understand how important routines and schedules are for children, even more so for kids who have gone through traumatic experiences. Read more>>

Jeffrey Carabelos | Film Composer

I’m a risk taker. Always have been. Sometimes this means face-planting in a pile of your own misconceived ideas, and others it means striking gold. Numerous cycles of doing just that, both personally AND professionally, has caused me to realize that both outcomes are actually the same. Every fall, every mishap, every wrong turn has yielded a panoply of lessons which help to distinguish signal from noise. I used to see these mistakes as youthful blunders, not to be repeated. Now I welcome them. Each risk I take which yields an outcome I don’t want is a stepping stone to the future I’m building for myself. Read more>>

Esther Franchuk | Fine Artist

For me, taking risks has shaped the course of my life, beginning with my decision to pursue a creative path. I still remember the moment at a charity art auction in my hometown 10 years ago that marked the beginning of it all. Someone told me, “When you take the risk to dream, you will always be met by God.” Read more>>

Charlynne Boddie | International Speaker, Author, Model and Broadcaster

I love taking risks and always ask myself what is waiting for me on the other side of my taking a certain risk. Risks have always meant high adventures for me and the manifestation of many dreams come true from a very young age. I started taking big risks as a young 16 year old high school student. That first risk put me in front of the President of the United States. Read more>>

Marissa Cooper | Director & Video Producer

The way I think about risk is that once it is taken, the outcome always works itself out. Risk is how we grow and learn about ourselves. Recently I have embraced risk knowing that if I don’t put myself out there, the goals, aspirations, and desires I have will always just be thoughts and not reality. I will admit risk is still scary. My faith has been a big part of why I have embraced risk because I know no matter what, all things will work together for my good. Read more>>

Alexa Mae Mosley | MultiMedia Artist

to risk something in order to move to the next Chapter in life. One huge risk was moving to another state, 9 hours from my family. I love my family and friends, and it was very hard to move from a small town to a huge place like Denver. I started taking my small art business more seriously, taking up as many opportunities as I can. Risk has helped myself and my business grow in ways I would have never thought.  Read more>>

Nicole Reavy | Mindfulness-Based, Body-Centered, Transpersonal Psychotherapist, Evolutionary Astrologer and Mixed Media Artist

I would not be were I am without risk taking. I have learned that risk taking and growth are friends. This is one of the primary ingredients to beginning anything new. Risk is necessary to continue to grow in every area of life and career. It is scary and unknown to move forward with things that we have never done before. If you are truly living, then risk is a natural part of being alive. It does require a certain level of trust in yourself. Trusting your instincts and acting on them is a powerful practice. How else does one gain courage? I have learned that fear usually arises when in the company of risk. This does not necessarily mean not to take action. Sometimes, it means just the opposite. It might be telling you to feel the fear and take the leap anyway! Read more>>