Facing Fear: Step Out in Faith and Rise Above What's Holding You Back

by Nik Wallenda, John C. Maxwell (Foreword), Don Yaeger (Primary Contributor)

A practical guide to overcoming fear from the daredevil who has walked on a tightrope across Times Square and the Grand Canyon. Nik Wallenda is a seventh-generation member of the Flying Wallendas, a circus family known for performing dangerous feats without safety nets. Nik is known for his daring televised tightrope walks over Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, Times Square, and an active volcano. Nik has been walking the wire since he took his first steps, but he had never experienced fear until a tragic accident in 2017. The eight-person pyramid he and several members of his family were practicing collapsed, and five of its members fell thirty feet to the ground. While severely injured, they all survived miraculously, but the accident changed Nik’s life forever. For the first time he felt overwhelming fear, and Nik had to find it in himself to move on, release the past, and get back out on the wire. Most of us will never walk a tightrope, but we face things that scare us every day. Whether putting ourselves out there socially or seeking a dream job, all of us allow anxieties and fears to hold us back. In Facing Fear , you Facing Fear weaves parts of Nik’s personal story of the accident and how he conquered his fear with practical advice to help you overcome whatever fears are holding you back. This practical book will help you step out in faith and trust that God will hold you steady, even when you're afraid.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2020

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t know if this book was so much about facing fear than it was about promoting himself and the work that he does.

I don’t doubt his faith and belief in God but his whole life and career are built around bigger, better, the more death defying, fear inducing the feat then the more $$$$ It’s hard to see how that isn’t a bugger drive or motivation than using it as a witness of faith. I’m not saying that surviving and healing from such a tragic accident can’t be a a good testimony but I don’t think this book accurately showed that.

It felt more self promotional than faith promotional. I learned more about his work and performance than faith.

And even though he stated more than a few times if therapy and meds worked for you that was great but it felt judgmental. Needing therapy/meds and having faith are not necessarily mutually exclusive in regards to trauma. Both in fact can work together. It doesn’t have to be one of the other. In fact it is when you have both and use them right, fear and trauma will truly be overcome.

It didn’t feel at all like a book about overcoming fear through faith at all.

I do think it’s cool to hear the name of your town mentioned in a book and places you know talked about.

Also I would love to see Nik perform because I think he’d put on a good show. He’s a gear showman. That you can get from reading this book.

[Preston Kendall Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half was good. Second half turned into a self help/ self promotion book.

[W. Whalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discover Spiritual Insights into a common emotion: Fear

I’ve watched Nik Wallenda walk across the Grand Canyon or across Time Square in New York City on a high wire. A seventh-generation member of the famous Great Wallendas from two years old, Nik has been walking on the wire and doing more dramatic feats. In the opening of FACING FEAR he tells about falling when practicing for an eight person pyramid. I can’t think of another person who regularly faces—and overcomes fear. This book was fascinating and well-told. Wallenda combined forces with bestselling sportswriter Don Yaeger. The stories are combined with spiritual teaching and insights from the Bible. I enjoyed reading FACING FEAR and recommend it.

W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his latest 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .

[Lori Hooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is seldom what we expect or dream. It can be better or it can be worse. Either way, fear can prevent us from living life. Nik Wallenda delves into how he handles fear in his day to day life and in the job he does. Spiritual strength, his connection with the one true God, helps he in his daily struggles to keep focused and push forward into dreams. Reliving one of the worse high wire accidents of history in which he was the one in charge, he helps the reader see how worshiping God will render fear helpless. God is the one who pulls us through the hard times and helps us focus in the daily needs. I found this such a wonderful book that I bought additional copies for a couple of friends whose names stayed in my head during the reading of this book. My teenage daughter read through it almost as fast as I did, finding a connection with the performance aspect and finding worship in what you daily do. Highly recommend.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hey I worked for this guy in 2016 for 12 weeks in Atlantic City, NJ...and he is the kind of evangelical prophet that’s gotta make a profit! His entire fame and career emerged following the tragic death of his grandfather - his most recent 2 ABC specials follow the conveniently timed emergence of viral video of a tragic fall where his sister smashed her face to pieces and many of the other performers whom were injured are now suing him...he certainly knows how to cash in on the misfortune of those around him!

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read and an excellent story. Nik talks about the fear that tried to defeat him after a wire walking accident involving some close members of his family and friends. He did not let fear defeat him and explains how he overcame the fear. He wants readers to know that they can also overcome any fear they may be experiencing.

This was the first book I have read that was written by Nik Wallenda. I will be looking for other books written by him.

I won a free copy of this book from the publisher/author for an honest review. It was a giveaway on Goodreads.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of this felt a rehash of his previous book 'Balance' and its themes but having watched the dramatic televised stunt this year, I did enjoy the discussion around the Masaya Volcano walk and how difficult it was to pull off. 'Facing Fear' gives us more depth about his personal anxiety and inner turmoil after a 2017 act gone traumatically awry with his family, and how significant it was that his sister and he could find it in themselves to move on, release the past, and get on the line again. It's a book about finding faith and inspiration when it seems impossible to reach.

"Fear is reaction. An emotion. A feeling. Courage is action."

[Nicholas Wilhelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting dive into Nik's fears after the Sarasota accident. I was kept engaged through most of the book, although a lot of the middle chapters could have been condensed.

Nik is very open in discussing his beliefs, feelings, and fears and attempts to generalize them so everyone can relate, of which he doesn't excellent job.

The ending was a huge surprise to me and I can't wait for the future Zirkus Nik has been dreaming of for years.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational, exciting, fast read, mesmerizing. Spiritually written with God throughout Facing Fear tells of the accident when the family fell from the wire doing an 8 people pyramid. Nik's life is fascinating, learning about what the wire walkers do was enlightening and entertaining. I can understand how his faith in God taken him so far in life. An amazing story about, faith, family and love.

#goodreads #truestory #amazon

[Melanie Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I watch him every time he's on TV doing one of his heroic stunts. Its nerve wracking at times to watch but awesome at the same time. This book was everything I thought it would be and more. What an amazing family. Nic is one I love to watch.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Peg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book was enlightening about the Wallendas it was very wordy. It seemed to me he just talked into a microphone and went on and on, repeating the same information many times. I am happy that he found relief with his anxiety but this book is not something that I would recommend as a must read.

[Massimo Mondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 2023. Shows a story with incredible loss, but how he came back from that loss. He not only came back, but reached heights he had never reached prior to his experience. Wallenda shows that faith God is vital to reaching the plan God has for you. He gives serious ways that can help us reach the potential we have through God.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange Christian book by Word press, 7th generation tight rope walker, lots of faith talk, that keep them from falling, even though a 8 pyramid from Sarasota seriously injured his sister. I can't even begin to think how it is important to always do the more dangerous walk.

[John Pitcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Partly because I’ve watched Nik practice here in our hometown of Sarasota. Partly because I watched all of his major walks on TV while sitting on the edge of my seat. And lastly, his public faith in God.

[Melissa T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads first reads, thank you!

What an amazing book. The title fits with what Nik was saying step out and conquer your fears and don’t worry about failing, as long as you get back up and keep trying.

Can’t wait to read more by Nik Wallenda.

[Pat Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting book. His story was amazing. It was interesting hearing about his families history and recoveries. His faith is a total part of his life. He definitely had good advice on how he deals with fear and adversary and about the importance of dealing with trauma. His explanation of types of fear and human reactions to fear.
I personally had trouble relating to some of his advice on facing your fears, not having to react with making choices instantly. I also deal with stressful situations with quiet. I am the type to find music is distracting when I am concentrating. I totally believe in the acknowledgement, preparation and practice to make a dangerous situation manageable when the worst case happens.
This book is worth reading, you can go away richer from examining how you deal with fear and it may trigger ways to deal with your life.

[April Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible how to book for facing fears and reaching your dreams through the powerful story of someone who faces fear for a living

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I appreciated how he shared his faith and used specific scripture passages. He gave a lot of practical advice as well as insightful information about his life story.

[Andreia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motivating.

[Sarah Bramlett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this family and love that they are using their talents for God’s glory but I just couldn’t get into the book.

[Kristyn K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved watching all of Nik Wallenda’s crazy live wire walks, I’ve been a fan for a long time! Inspirational book, I would highly recommend!

[Colleen Danchak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely inspirational biography on the famous Wallenda circus family and their strong tenacious faith.

[Courtney Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first read for me in a very long time. I really enjoyed it, passed it along to my sister and would read it again in the future.

[Raegan Halliday · Rating 2 out of 5]

the book had some good points/stories but overall it seemed very repetitive.

[Elizabeth Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book super cheap at Ollie's. It was a good quick read. Not the best well written, but overall a good encouragement about facing your fear and overcoming difficulties

[Sara Goldenberg]

Not what I expected. It's mostly religious.

[Maj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had the opportunity to see Nic Wallenda perform and give a talk at a local church a few years ago. Winning this book and reading the backstory as well as gaining more insight into the powerful message he gave then and is giving now in even more convincing tones was a treat! Thank you Goodreads for the opportunity to win this book that focuses not on overcoming the negative, but using one's power of positive conviction to pick oneself up, grow in faith, and purposely walk toward success one step at a time!