"Fear Is Only the Beginning of Courage" says Veronica Llorca-Smith
You can't have courage withouth fear
I can't recall how I "discovered" Veronica on Substack. However, from the first interaction, her authentic way of being deeply resonated with me.
I kept reading her articles, signed up to be a founding member, I think, within the first week of finding her, and got a chance to talk to her via Zoom.
And again, I couldn't tell you what we talked about (sorry
—whatever it was (lol) - it was profound!), but what I can tell you is that she left me touched, moved, and inspired! embodies the courage it takes to carve your own path, to embrace vulnerability, and to build a thriving community. She is a writer, speaker, triathlete, entrepreneur, and Chief Executive Mom, driven by passion and a profound belief in the power of connection.In this interview,
generously shares her journey, revealing the challenges she's overcome, the risks she's taken, and the wisdom she's gained along the way. Prepare to be inspired to find your courage to create.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background
Where to start? I grew up moving countries and packing suitcases, and life taught me to say goodbye in six languages. Hong Kong is the ninth place I call home, and hopefully it won’t be the last!
I hold many titles that I carry with pride and joy: author, public speaker, wife, triathlete, entrepreneur, and above all, CEM (Chief Executive Mom).
During the pandemic, I ditched the corporate ladder at 40 and started a new path; one of freedom and creativity that has led me to publish five books, speak on stage, and build my own community around my passion for writing and personal growth.
Q: Beyond the act of hitting "publish," what's the most courageous thing you've done as a writer on Substack?
Throughout my two years on Substack, I have had many moments of courage (and fear!) and they all involved trying something new: my first webinar for my subscribers, my first MasterMind, my first LIVE session in front of a bunch of strangers…
Recently I launched the Spanish version of my Substack, El Limonero, and I had to overcome many limiting beliefs as I had never written anything in public in my native language.
I always say that courage is waiting on the other side of fear.
Q: Many people dream of writing but fear judgment or failure. What advice would you give to those who are hesitant to share their voice on Substack?
People are afraid of criticism however, the worst critic often comes from within.
“I’m not good enough.”
“What if I fail?”
“What if people judge me?”
If this is your dream, then own it, show up for yourself first, and be your best ambassador.
The worst-case scenario is not failing; it’s not trying.
Q: In your opinion, what's the most courageous thing a reader can do after engaging with your work?
The most courageous thing they can do is to take a leap of faith and take the first step without having all the answers.
For some, it’s doing something in public or starting a new path.
For others, it’s saying yes to a crazy opportunity.
My hope is that my work and my actions inspire others to trust their intuition and take risks to chase their dreams.
Q: Vulnerability is often a key component of courage. How do you balance being vulnerable with maintaining healthy boundaries as a writer in such a public space?
For me, vulnerability is the quintessential expression of trust.
When we entrust our readers with our personal stories, we hope that they will help them in some way.
That means exposing yourself in public, and while most people embrace that vulnerability with open arms, others use it against you to seek attention and get under the spotlight.
I have learned to to neutralize that negativity and focus my energy on the people who want to build and grow. My boundaries only start where trust ends.
Q: Courage often involves taking risks. What's the biggest risk you've taken in sharing your writing or building your Substack community?
The biggest risk has been to show up, not knowing if there would be anyone on the other side.
When you publish a newsletter, you can comfortably hide behind the screen, however, when you show up in a live session or a Mastermind, there’s no hiding anymore. The stage is all yours!
The biggest risk has been to launch something new and show up with a smile, ready to perform even if the room is empty.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck or unfulfilled but is hesitant to take the leap and reinvent themselves?
You don’t have to do it alone. Connect with people whose words you resonate with and find communities where you can lean into each other. In sports, we say that together we run further, and the same applies to life.
Build your little tribe and cheer each other up along the way. You will never regret investing in yourself.
Q: If you could go back and tell your pre-Substack self one thing about the journey ahead, what would it be?
Be very clear on your vision because when things get tough (and they will), you will need a rock-solid vision to keep you going. Eight months into my journey on Substack, I was about to give up because my growth was slow, and I reached a plateau.
However, I remembered that I was here to build a community of people who want to turn their passion into their lifestyle, and that gave me the strength to persevere. A few months later, The Lemon Tree Mindset became a Substack Bestseller.
You won’t fail if you keep doing what you love,
but you will fail if you stop loving what you do.
One of my favorite quotes on courage comes from
latest book, “The Anti-Procrastinator: How Self-Awareness Can Change Your Life and Get You What You Want”
Or the Spanish version:
👉 If you enjoy reading this post, feel free to share it with friends! Or feel free to click the ❤️ button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack
Thank you so much for featuring me, Magdalena!
I love your series and what you are creating.
Wonderful interview between two writers who I know and appretiate separately from each other. Well done!