“I hiked the Appalachian Trail alone.”
More than 2,000 miles, countless blisters and five months later, I made it to the end.
Since then, no challenge seems too large.Christi Holmes, 25, Machias, Maine
2.
“I proposed to my husband.”
When I handed him that fancy blue box, I said, “Will you marry me?”
We’ve been married for 19 years.Duby McDowell, 53, Hartford, Connecticut
3.
“I joined the Roller Derby (and I was no athlete).”
Three years ago I went roller-skating and spotted some Roller Derby girlsI couldn’t take my eyes off them.
I just had to know whether I could do it.
But afterward, I was even more nervous about looking foolish.
“I had a baby on my ownon purpose.”
I spent my 20s isolated, as a full-time caregiver to my grandmother.
To me, being bold means not waiting to build the life you want.
My son is now 4 years old.Dresden Shumaker, 37, Philadelphia
5.
“I up and moved to Paris.”
So I rented an apartment online and moved there from New York City.
My vocabulary grew, I wrote every day, and I even got published.
“I’m training to be an NFL referee.”
Being bold means doing what interests you, even if it’s unconventional.
For me, that’s football.
“I performed stand-up with zero experience.”
I finally opened my mouth and my voice shook.
Some of my jokes didn’t land, and the silence was oh-s— awkward.
I wanted to run, but mostly I wanted to stay and fight.
When I started riffing about the differences between Iowa and Chicago, everyone started laughing.
“I’m almost 6 feet tall, and I wear 6-inch stilettos.”
In fashion, being bold means dressing for yourself, no one else.
Sexy shoes aren’t just for shorter girls.Raven Scott, 19, Austin, Texas
9.
“I fight fires.”
But only for a second, until I remembered there were people inside praying to be rescued.
I pulled three kids out of that house.
“I helped bold women share their stories.”
But many express themselves through short poems.
As a poet and journalist, I felt compelled to tell their stories.
Most of the time, you could.
“Eliza Griswold, 40, New York City
11.
“I wrote about being bipolar.”
Recently, I published a graphic memoir calledMarblesabout my mental illness.
I feared people would wonder, Did she just say that because she’s crazy?
But to be bold, you have to go to a place of discomfort.
It’s part of living a full and honest life.Ellen Forney, 45, Seattle
12.
“I ended my career and spoke out against the skinny ideal.”
At 19, I was a lingerie model, and I was miserable.
When I took laxatives, ate only fruit and hit 108 pounds, I booked jobs like crazy.
I was so weak, I almost passed out.
“I broke off my engagement.”
