I think it's going astray a bit here.
I'm not afraid... Or paralyzed by fear... Not in the least.
What I am is anxious for the event and in a realm of overthought.
It's hard walking into a big event... Then thinking about how you shoulda trained... How your arm suddenly aches... All the irrational insecurities... But it's not fear the way you guys are referencing it .
It's nerves... Nerves of letting yourself down... That's not a sack or no sack issue... It's what expectations you put on yourself and standards of success/failure.
Me, I have high expectations and standards for myself... I leave a huge margin for disappointment... But I regularly thread the needle... Just the way it is.
I think if you sign up and step to a table... You proved you "sacked up"... Regardless of your inner storm.... You marched on.
Being nervous just means you are more emotional invested and set higher expectations... Fear , as in real life fear doesn't exist in AW... Except for the hour after a room witnesses an arm break.
Everyone is AFRAID of something... I can build a scenario where the mentally strongest man can be overcome with fear.
There is a reason CIA and special forces abandoned water boarding exercises to prepare if taken hostage... All the billy bada$$es and "sack up" champs... Panicked and tapped out faster than it took to set the towel over their face.... It was pointless...100% immediate fail.
Now if you have family or kids... Another angle or indescribable fear can grip you.
Everyone has FEAR.