Why I Attempt the World’s Most Dangerous Stunts | Michelle Khare | TED

Overview

Michelle Khare shares her journey from a cautious child of immigrants to a daring performer of some of the world's most dangerous stunts. Through her YouTube series Challenge Accepted, she explores how embracing fear, failure, and an amateur's mindset has allowed her to tackle seemingly impossible challenges and redefine her limits.

Notable Quotes

- Fear doesn’t always mean stop. Sometimes it means go. – Michelle Khare, on reframing fear as a motivator.

- Failure is, as painful as it is, a necessary part of the process. And when we feel disappointment and failure, it’s a privilege because it means we care. – Michelle Khare, on the value of failure.

- Stripped of the emotional component, fear is simply information. – Michelle Khare, on using fear as a tool for growth.

🚴‍♀️ Embracing Failure and the Amateur’s Mindset

- Michelle’s first big risk was joining a cycling club, where she discovered the freedom to fail without consequence.

- She highlights the amateur's mindset, where beginners progress quickly due to their willingness to ask questions, take risks, and embrace imperfection.

- Her unexpected win at a national cycling event taught her the value of having fun and taking risks, even when the odds seem against you.

🧠 Overcoming Fear Through Deliberate Challenges

- Michelle created a list of her fears and designed challenges to confront them, such as:

- Training with chess masters to overcome the fear of being perceived as unintelligent.

- Boxing in front of 12,000 fans to tackle her fear of confrontation.

- Joining a clowning troupe to face her fear of being seen as unfunny.

- These experiences not only helped her grow but also resonated with millions, amassing 850 million views for her show.

🌊 The Science of Fear and Surrender

- Attempting Houdini’s water torture cell escape required Michelle to train her breath-holding capacity to three minutes.

- She learned that pushing through fear often requires surrendering to discomfort, which allowed her to notice and address small but critical details, like her wetsuit’s fit and body temperature.

- This reframing of fear as information enabled her to successfully complete the stunt in two minutes and 40 seconds.

🥋 The Role of Mentorship in Achieving the Impossible

- Michelle sought the guidance of Grandmaster Simon Rhee to attempt earning a black belt in taekwondo in just 90 days.

- Despite failing her initial test, she persevered for months, eventually breaking a brick with her hand on day 264.

- This experience underscored the importance of mentorship, accountability, and resilience in achieving ambitious goals.

✈️ Collaboration and Preparation for High-Stakes Stunts

- For her most dangerous stunt—hanging from a C-130 aircraft—Michelle and her team adopted a fear is welcome policy, encouraging open communication about concerns.

- This approach allowed them to fine-tune every detail, from safety harnesses to FAA approvals, ensuring the stunt’s success.

- Michelle emphasizes that her journey isn’t about being fearless but about confronting fear head-on with preparation and teamwork.