I travelled 5,000 miles to test this framework
I just got back from a week in Colombia - no work, no social media, and not even warm water.
Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. My only impressions of Colombia came from Narcos and Pablo Escobar’s face on old cocaine baggies.
So yeah, I was nervous:
Would it be safe to travel there?
What if I get sick?
Will the locals be welcoming?
Am I supposed to get any vaccinations before I go?
Questions we rarely ask ourselves when booking a week away in Greece, France or Spain...
Thankfully, my preconceived ideas couldn’t have been more wrong.
Colombia is incredible. Like, really, really special. Check this out...
The building in the background is where we ate lunch every day, and the pig is a pet belonging to its owner.
But why Colombia?
Before I unpack what made it so special, you're probably wondering why I went there in the first place.
Here’s the thing... it’s a bit complicated. I can’t fully disclose the project I was working on just yet, but what I can share is this:
The trip wasn’t just about work.
It was about trusting my intuition.
Let me introduce you to Chris.
Chris and I have an unusual friendship. The first time I heard his name was back in 2018, when he pitched his technology platform to a financial services company I worked for. At the time, it didn’t seem like a particularly memorable interaction (no offence, Chris... your pitch was solid).
... fast forward a few years to 2023. I’d left my corporate job and started my addiction therapy and coaching business. Chris’s name popped up again. This time, I felt a pull. An instinct I couldn’t quite explain.
I sent him a message sharing my story and something along the lines of:
"Not sure why, but I feel like we’re in alignment. Fancy jumping on a call?"
That call was like reconnecting with an old friend I’d somehow forgotten. Have you ever felt that? Like you’ve known someone forever, even though you’ve only just met?
That was Chris.
We chatted, found so much synergy, and then didn’t speak for months...
Then, in late 2024 whilst I was still in Albania, Chris reached out again. He had an idea he wanted to run past me.
When he suggested going to Colombia to work on an undisclosed project, I had two reactions:
Excitement: A part of me knew it was the right thing to do.
Fear: The other part was terrified.
I mean, I’d never been to Colombia. I didn’t know much about it beyond the stereotypes I’d seen on TV. Plus, I’d never actually met Chris in person...
It felt like a leap into the unknown.
But here’s the thing: fear, intuition, and action often work together in ways that drive growth.
This is something I teach clients and organisations...
The F.I.A Model
The F.I.A. Model combines three essential forces:
FEAR is a natural response to stepping outside your comfort zone. It signals growth and new possibilities, reminding you that you’re on the edge of something meaningful.
INTUITION is your inner compass, rooted in alignment with your values and vision. It’s the quiet voice guiding you toward what feels right, even when fear is loud.
ACTION is where courage meets momentum. It bridges the gap between fear and intuition, turning hesitation into progress and transformation.
When these three forces align, they create clarity, confidence, and the foundation for change.
That’s exactly what I did.
Despite the fear, my intuition told me this trip was important. So, I leaned in and took action. I booked the flight, packed my bags, and off I went.
Learn to dance with fear
One of my favourite teachers, Ram Dass, once said:
“What has changed is that before, [my neuroses] were these huge, big things that were very frightening, and they took me over… And now they’re sort of like little Shmoos. They’re little, friendly beings, and I invite them in for tea.”
This perspective offers a big shift in perspective...
Instead of fighting fear, we build a relationship with it.
But this is tough in our fear-driven society. Why? Because we’ve been taught to avoid it.
From a young age, we learn messages like:
“Play it safe.”
“Don’t take risks.”
“What if it all goes wrong?”
This conditioning keeps us stuck because fear becomes the reason we don’t take action. We avoid discomfort and stay where we feel secure.
Safe? Yes. But stagnant.
The truth is, fear is a sign you’re stepping into something meaningful.
The goal isn’t to get rid of it. That’s not possible. You're human.
The work is learning to dance with it.
When fear shows up, invite it in. Acknowledge it. Understand it.
And then act.
Because fear doesn’t have to control you. When you listen to your intuition and take action despite fear, you grow.
Fear precedes breakthroughs
This isn’t just about Colombia. It’s actually much, much bigger than that...
I’ve realised that every major breakthrough I’ve had (leaving my corporate job, starting my business, sending that first message to Chris and many more) has involved this exact process:
Feel the fear.
Trust my intuition.
Take the action.
It’s something I teach every client I work with because it applies to so much:
In business when leaders need to make bold decisions.
In personal growth when individuals are navigating change.
In life when we all face the unknown.
If you’re on the edge of a decision, pause for a moment.
Feel the fear - it’s natural.
Listen to your intuition - it’s guiding you.
Then take the action - even if it scares you.
Because honestly, what’s the worst that could happen?
Most of the time, the pain of indecision is far worse than taking a leap, fucking up, and finding your way back.
Growth doesn’t come from avoiding mistakes. It comes from moving through them.
Now it’s your turn:
What’s a decision you’ve made that felt scary but turned out to be exactly what you needed? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear your story.
Until next time,
Dan