Do It Scared! Let's Talk About Confidence

Let's talk about confidence, or the lack thereof. By far, my biggest personal challenge has been just that - a lack of confidence when it matters most. This is the reason I take firearms training so seriously. It allows me the grace and opportunity to teach potentially life-saving skills while equipping every student with a guaranteed positive impact in the form of confidence-building. Self-worth is ultimately the goal. It's the grand prize!

When people refer to "confidence," they often imagine someone bold and fearless, someone who never doubts themselves, who walks into any room like they own it. But I want to challenge that idea. Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s not a personality trait or a feeling. It’s a result.

That's right. Confidence is what comes after you do the thing you were afraid to do. Confidence follows action. And often, it follows scared action. As one of my favorite podcasters, Leila Hormozi, puts it so powerfully, confidence doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care how old you are, what you look like, or how much experience you have. It just requires one thing: your willingness to try.

At E3 Personal Defense and InHER Piece, we see this transformation every day. Women walk through our doors with nerves, doubt, hesitation—even fear. But when they leave? They leave with something much greater: confidence they earned.

Why Confidence Matters

Confidence isn’t just about how you feel—it’s about how you live. It changes how you walk to your car at night. It changes how you speak up for yourself. It changes how you handle conflict, stress, and uncertainty. It even changes how you carry—both emotionally and, for some, legally. As a result, it changes how safe you live.

Confident people refuse to be victims!

• They are situationally aware.

• They are not afraid to be present, take up space, and have their voices heard.

• They walk with confidence and pride, which deters criminals looking for an "easy target."

• They know their worth and will not accept being treated with anything less.

Ironically, the lack of confidence is one of the biggest reasons people don’t train in self-defense. It’s not just fear of the weapon; it’s fear of not knowing what to do, of being judged, of making a mistake. And oftentimes, it's the feeling of not being "enough" or someone worth fighting for.

That’s why our approach is different. We don’t wait for our students to feel confident—we help them become confident. Through small wins. Through hands-on learning. Through encouragement, guidance, and patience, we instill in each student the belief that they are worth defending! And they can fight and advocate for themselves, without apology.

Building Confidence (Even When You're Brand New)

So how do you build confidence, especially if you’re feeling nervous, unsure, or completely ignorant?

Here’s what we teach:

1. Commit Before You Feel Ready. You don’t need to be fearless to begin. You just need to decide that your growth is worth the discomfort.

2. Train in Small Wins. Whether it’s your first time loading a magazine, clearing a malfunction, or hitting your target—every little success adds up.

3. Repeat. Reflect. Refine. Confidence isn’t built in comfort. It’s built in consistency. The more you show up, the more you grow.

   
   

And here’s the best part: you don’t have to do it alone. You can borrow our belief in you until you build your own.

Confidence in Under 60 Minutes?

You’d be amazed how much can change in just one hour. While it's certainly impossible to learn everything about a firearm or self-defense in a mere hour, that's certainly enough time to build an amazing amount of confidence and excitement. In just one hour, through a private instructional session, a Power Hour, or a safety course, it's absolutely reasonable to:

• Understand your firearm and how it works

• Practice basic handling and safe shooting

• Leave with next steps and a clear sense of direction

It's been my goal since E3 Personal Defense was founded to provide "bite-sized" instructional options for people who are new, nervous, or unsure—but ready to learn. And in just 60 minutes, you’ll be on your way to feeling more in control, more capable, and yes—more confident.

We don’t promise perfection. We promise progress.

But here's the best part. That philosophy doesn't just apply to firearms or personal defense. It can apply to any area or aspect of your life. Public speaking, learning to cook, a DIY home-improvement project, working toward a promotion, learning to drive, or even starting a fitness journey. One measly hour can make a world of difference! Start small. Smash the goal, and watch your confidence soar!

The Real Secret to Confidence

Here’s the truth: fear doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It means you’re human.

Every confident person you admire or look up to once stood exactly where you are—uncertain, nervous, and questioning their abilities. But they chose to take that first step anyway. That’s what makes them successful now. They didn't succeed because they are confident. They are confident because they succeeded!

Joy Allen, Firearms Instructor

That’s why you're next.

Our best students, colleagues, and affiliates aren’t fearless—they are faithful. They know that courage comes first, and confidence follows. They didn’t wait until they were ready. They started when they were scared.

So if you’re reading this and wondering if you can do it—yes, you can. If you’re thinking you don’t have what it takes—yes, you do. And if you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.

Confidence is already within you. Let us help you uncover it. Let’s do it scared—together.

See you in class!