The Bravery Effect: How to Lead Yourself Before You Lead Others | Stay On Course Podcast
Join Julie Riga as she sits down with Jill Schulman, US Marine Corps veteran, leadership consultant, and author of The Bravery Effect, to explore how building your bravery muscle can transform not just your career—but your entire approach to leadership, success, and fulfillment.
In This Episode:
✨ Why comfort is not happiness—and how it keeps high-achievers stuck in "meh"
✨ The three evidence-based ingredients for building bravery (cognitive, behavioral & social psychology)
✨ How to stop waiting to feel ready and start taking action in the presence of fear
✨ The "Attack the Day" strategy that elite performers use to accomplish hard things
✨ Why surrounding yourself with a Brave Tribe makes courage your default setting
✨ How to seek feedback like a champion and use it to elevate your performance
Key Takeaways:
📌 Bravery is voluntary action taken in the presence of fear toward a worthwhile goal
📌 Confidence comes from action, not before it—stop waiting to feel ready
📌 Do your hardest tasks FIRST when cognitive resources are highest (plan the night before)
📌 The Power of Yet: Add "yet" to shift from fixed to growth mindset
📌 Reframing stress as enhancing (not debilitating) improves performance and resilience
📌 Your tribe shapes you—surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow
📌 Bravery is a muscle that strengthens through daily practice
📌 The harder the journey, the sweeter the victory and the stronger you become
Memorable Quotes:
"Bravery is voluntary action taken in the presence of fear toward a worthwhile or noble goal." – Jill Schulman
"People confuse comfort with happiness. So many live a life of 'ugh'—they're in a rut, not seeking discomfort, not going after what they want." – Jill Schulman
"You're not supposed to feel ready or confident. You have to take a step in the presence of fear—that's the definition of bravery." – Jill Schulman
"Stop waiting until you feel ready. The time will never come. You have to attack the day." – Jill Schulman
"Feedback is the breakfast of champions. Would you rather not know what you need to work on and go through life while everyone else knows?" – Jill Schulman
"It's who you become on the journey. The more you struggle to accomplish something, the bigger gift it is when you succeed." – Jill Schulman
"I don't want people to just bounce back—I want them to seek challenge. Be on the offensive. Always be in attack mode." – Jill Schulman
Perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals ready to break free from comfort zones, embrace challenge, and build the courage to pursue their biggest goals through brave self-leadership.
Connect with Jill:
🌐 jillschulman.com
📚 The Bravery Effect (Available August 26, 2025)
🎁 Free Bravery Assessment & Brave Action Guide
📱 LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
Connect with Julie:
🌐 julieriga.com/lead
🎧 Stay On Course Podcast
💼 Before I Lead
📱 LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
🎧 Subscribe for more purpose-driven leadership insights!
💡 Share this episode with someone who needs permission to be brave.
#Leadership #Bravery #GrowthMindset #PurposeDriven #StayOnCourse
