Comedian Amy Schumer’s response to the question “What’s the best book you’ve ever received as a gift?”
“The Professional,” by W. C. Heinz. It profiles a boxer before a match in the 1950s. I reread it before taping a stand-up special. Preparing to perform comedy in front of hundreds (or thousands) of people and telling jokes that may or may not make them laugh is just as terrifying as getting hit in the face while boxing. I boxed for a while a couple years back, and the fear of getting punched was a big hurdle I had to get over. But you know what helped? Getting punched. Just one time was enough to learn that the fear of pain is worse than the pain itself.
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LIVE FEARLESS!
JACQUELINE P. ASHBY 