From Fear of Life to Loving Life

How Facing Death Freed Me (and Gave Birth to TRBS)

I used to fear life more than I feared death.

Not consciously. On the surface, I was doing all the "right" things—responsible, motivated, even thriving by some standards. But deep down, I was holding back. Living in ways that didn’t leave room for joy or freedom.

Then, at just 31 years old, I was diagnosed with colon cancer.

And something profound shifted in me.

For the first time, I truly felt the fear of death—intensely and unmistakably. And strangely, it didn’t paralyze me. It freed me.

In facing death, I realized I had been avoiding life. Focusing on the wrong things. Dimming my inner voice. And suddenly, it was crystal clear: I didn’t want to waste my life anymore.

I didn’t want to just survive. I wanted to live. I wanted to live in a way that honored my dreams. I wanted to live a very good life—now, not someday.

That awakening became what I now call my Rock-Bottom Superpower (TRBS)—the moment when clarity, courage, and freedom came rushing in, not despite the crisis, but because of it.

“Only the man who can face death can begin to live.” —Otto Rank

This direct encounter with mortality had such an impact on how I live now, that sometimes I wonder—could this be the very purpose of death (or the limit of time)? If we knew life went on forever, would we actually live it well? Maybe death exists to remind us how precious life really is.

“It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth... that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.” —Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Looking back, my experience took me on a powerful journey:

From fearing life and avoiding life…

To facing death…

To awakening deep appreciation for the beauty of life...

To discovering a great love for life...

And eventually, even a quiet acceptance of death—as part of life’s rhythm.

As I healed and moved through life with this new awareness, I could feel my Rock-Bottom Superpower walking beside me—helping me make decisions, set boundaries, and prioritize what truly matters.

I believe this power lives within all of us.

And I don’t believe you have to hit rock bottom to access it.

Sometimes, it just takes getting clear about what you're avoiding in the name of safety.

So I’ll leave you with this:

What might open up for you if you stopped fearing the fullness of who you are?

Your joy matters.

Your freedom matters.

Your life is now.

—Sara