Plain and simple, I am a scaredy cat. I am afraid of heights, confined spaces, airplanes/flying, elevators, large bodies of water (and subsequent shady lake creatures), and a slew of other things that sometimes inhibit my adventurous nature.
That being said, I try and take the intense fear that comes from some of these scenarios, and try not to vomit as I face them.
It was in this spirit of giving fear a swift one in the ass that I recently decided to try Canada Olympic Park’s Zipline.
Admittedly hesitant (ok, terrified), I took the plunge (literally) from the 100-metre high ski jump, down the 500-metre track below. (Calgary's highest vantage point.)
In all honesty, there is something to be said for the sudden burst of adrenaline that comes with the awareness that you are no longer in control of anything—and just surrendering to the moment in all it’s terrifying glory. 
Of course it took getting through moments of severe panic and a request for a bigger parachute to get to that moment of adrenaline-fueled bliss, but getting to the bottom…I just wanted to do it all over again. (And this time, quite possibly, with a smile on my face.)
The view of the city below was worth the anxiety, as was experiencing something new for the first time. Sometimes you just have to say yes, even when your whole body seems to be saying (ok, screaming!) ‘no’.
It might just leave you with a memory you won’t soon forget.