How Ben Smith Faced Fear to Build a Global Wellness Community
- Pathfinders For Good
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 18
The Moment Everything Shifted
Ben Smith stood frozen on a school stage in Dorset, England, his face burning red as teachers argued above his head. He'd made a simple mistake during the performance, but now hundreds of eyes stared at him while adults debated his error. The words vanished from his mind. The fear felt like electricity shooting from his toes to his scalp. "What happened next changed everything."
The Hidden Pattern Behind Success
Twenty years later, Ben discovered something remarkable about that childhood moment. The fear that paralyzed him on stage had become the invisible force shaping every major decision in his life. Despite growing up surrounded by meditation books and spiritual teachings—his father was a meditation teacher—Ben found himself trapped in a cycle of weekend binge drinking and emotional turbulence during his teenage years.
He wasn't alone in this struggle. Research shows that 60% of people interested in spiritual growth abandon their practice within the first year, often due to confusion about experiences or fear of judgment from their community. Ben hid his spiritual interests from friends, diluting his authentic message, and wondering why nothing felt right.
The Treasure Map Hidden in Terror
The breakthrough came through a simple quote from a friend: "Fear is the red cross that marks treasure." Ben stared at those words and suddenly saw his entire life differently. Every fear wasn't a stop sign but a roadmap pointing toward growth.
"I started looking at everything I was afraid of and thinking, that's where I need to go," Ben recalls. "Public speaking terrified me, so that became my practice ground." He began small, visualizing himself teaching confidently, doing breathing exercises before every video call, and gradually moving closer to what scared him most.
The transformation wasn't instant. It took four years of daily practice, countless moments of sitting with fear in his body, and learning to breathe through the adrenaline. But something shifted when he stopped running from fear and started following it instead.
From Hiding to Helping Thousands
Ben's willingness to face his fears transformed his approach to sharing spiritual wisdom. Instead of watering down his message on Instagram to avoid judgment, he moved to YouTube, where he could speak authentically. That decision led to 550 students from around the world joining his online meditation school for just $15 monthly—accessible spiritual guidance that removes barriers rather than creates them.
His work now helps people navigate the confusing experiences that arise during meditation practice. "Many people get scared by spiritual experiences or give up when nothing obvious happens," Ben explains. "I've been through most of these experiences myself, so I can guide people through the confusion and help them recognize progress they can't yet see."
Your Fear-to-Growth Pathway
For changemakers reading this, Ben's story offers both a mirror and a map. His journey reveals three practical principles for transforming fear into forward movement:
Identify your treasure markers: What fears are you avoiding that might actually point toward your greatest growth opportunities?
Practice the beginner's mind: How can you approach your work with fresh eyes, removing the limitations that "expert thinking" often creates?
Build fear tolerance gradually: Where can you start small with your fears, sitting with discomfort while breathing through the physical sensations?
Seek community over isolation: Who has walked a similar path that could offer guidance and cut years off your learning curve?
Ready to explore more of Ben's insights?
Ben's full conversation with Pathfinders host Mackenzie Belcastro reveals his specific techniques for building fear tolerance, developing authentic confidence, and creating sustainable impact while maintaining spiritual groundedness.
Explore the full episode or audio summary using the links provided below.
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