Fear is something that consumes all of us at one time or another . What matters is whether you let your fear control you or parts of your decision-making ? And if so , is fear something we can improve upon ? Before I was selected to be a part of Fit Nation , I was afraid of flying . Let me rephrase that -- I was scared to death of flying . What could possibly go wrong ? Many things ran through my head . A plane crash . Oxygen deprivation . A panic attack . Another fear I had was swimming in large bodies of water . I knew how to swim ; I grew up with a pool at my house . I was very comfortable swimming in a pool because I could see the bottom . You ca n't see the bottom of the ocean when you swim in it . What could possibly go wrong ? A shark attack . Oxygen deprivation . A panic attack . I came to realize that I was missing out on things because of my fears . I would only vacation in places I could drive to . In fact , last October , my partner Joy and I drove 14 hours to Myrtle Beach , South Carolina , for a long weekend . We could have gotten a sweet rate on round-trip airfare and had more time at the beach , but I elected to drive instead . I was beyond excited when I was selected for Fit Nation in December . But fear quickly took over when I realized that not only did Fit Nation involve swimming in the ocean but also two trips to California ( somewhere beyond even my driving desire ) . I was scared . Yet I wanted to be part of Fit Nation so badly that I knew I would have to meet both of these fears head on . In January , I was scheduled to fly to Atlanta for kick-off weekend . As the days got closer , I grew more anxious . People began to tell me stories about their first flying experience ; some had flown as children , unaccompanied , to visit family . Another friend told me she traveled often for her job ; she flew more than 140 times last year . I began to wonder what could possibly go wrong . Seeing another part of the country ? Visiting people I had n't seen in years ? Finishing a triathlon ? I came to realize that I was looking at the worst possible scenario instead of the best-case scenario . I decided that I had to take a chance . Fortunately for me , my first flight was a short one . I kept telling myself that millions of people fly every day and nothing happens -- except that they get to their desired destinations and go about their business . I have now flown four different times , including cross-country twice . And I have found that I actually enjoy flying . During our midway training trip in California , we started our swim training in a lap pool . I could see the bottom ; I was in control ; no problem . Then came our first training session in the ocean . I was nervous -- sweaty palms and all , as I listened to our instructions . But as my coach explained dolphin diving ( a technique used by swimmers to get under a wave ) I began to feel a sense of confidence . It was almost as if I knew what I had to do , and there was n't anything that was going to stop me . Was my fear of the ocean , or of the unknown ? People who have swum less than me had completed this challenge ; what was holding me back ? One of the lifeguards set a buoy at 150 yards . My teammate and I swam out to it without any problems . I remember treading water , talking to him , thinking : `` I just swam 150 yards out into the ocean . This is n't bad . '' Over the next few days , I completed four different swims in the Pacific Ocean , including a mock triathlon distance of 400 yards . Can your fears go away ? I feel completely different about flying and swimming in the ocean than I did a year ago . I actually enjoy flying now and look forward to heading back to sunny California in September . Although something can be said for long car trips with your family , I think back to the hours that could have been spent relaxing and enjoying vacation instead of being behind the wheel . I also look forward to swimming once again in the Pacific Ocean . I would n't say I 'm a risk-taker , but I think I am more willing to take a chance on things now . One of my favorite quotes I say to my athletes is , `` If you do what you always do , you get what you always get . '' Do n't let your fears stand in your way of `` getting '' something more ! You have more to lose than pounds . Why I gave up soda .
Mike Wilber was afraid of heights and of swimming in the ocean . With the Fit Club team , he learned to face his fears and fight back . Follow Mike 's journey training for a story on Twitter @ TriHardMike .