Are you a risk taker? Do you think you have a stronger appetite for risk relative to your friends and family? We asked some folks from the community about their approaches to risk and have shared their thoughts below.

Avery Key | Pawdre/Meetnalarae Social Media Manager

I took the biggest risk taking in a pup 2 and a half years ago. You see, I had no means of owning or responsibly caring for another life, heck I couldn’t care for my own. However, the summer of 2020. I took a unusual risk by taking in the prettiest but yet smallest pit bull puppy I ever seen. She was the runt, she was a fighter and had this urge to LIVE. She’s the reason why I am who I am today. She was the key to my independence. Read more>>

Tameya Tarkington | Corporate Marketing expert & Lifestyle Coach/Blogger

When I think about “risk taking” I instantly think of moving from being comfortable to uncomfortable to achieve the next level. What I mean by this is, usually the urge to take a “risk” comes when you’ve been in a constant state of being comfortable-whether that is in your personal life or professional career- the feeling of wanting to get to the next level or accomplish a goal requires some level of risk to get there. Not all “risks” yield the a successful result but that doesn’t make the risk any less necessary. Read more>>

Angel L.A. Adams | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner & Influencer

I have an outpatient practice that supports virtual and in-person visits. I, along with a medical doctor, nurse practitioner and an assistant support patients that deal with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and inattention disabilities. What sets me apart is I’m not the typical provider as in how I interact with my patients. They often tell me I feel like a friend that they can tell me anything, but at the same time they respect me as their provider. Read more>>

Rachel Hasper | Psychotherapist

Always bet on yourself. This has been my mantra as a small business owner. When we think about risk-taking it’s easy to feel afraid. As a psychotherapist, I know that the brain has a negativity bias and is trained to look for what could go wrong. Maybe it’s because I work with trauma and tragedy on a daily basis, but it’s helpful for me to distinguish risk from threat. Seeing risk as something that makes us unsafe will keep many people playing it small. But most of the time risk isn’t all that dangerous. Risk-taking might lead us into unknown territory, and humans like certainty. This can make us view the risks we’re facing as bigger as they might be. Read more>>

Yolanda Gardner | Serial-preneur, Author, Public Speaker and upcoming television talk show host

I think that we should take risks. Now not just any risk because it has to make sense. If not we will lose every time. Do your researchers, pray about it and let God direct your path. I’ve taken plenty of risks and it has helped me overcome fear and know that I can do it. I tl people to jump. It’s like a child this learning to swim or dive, you have to jump! If you don’t ever jump you won’t know the end result. After you jump if you can’t swim, just float until you can! Read more>>

Alynna Lopez | DFW Realtor – Mobile Notary – Event Coordinator

If you’ve lived this human experience life for even one minute, you know life just happens. Things don’t go according to plan, obstacles such as lack of experience, lack of resources or unforeseen change in operations can push you further away from your intentional goals. Life is an endless cycle of pursuing them and working hard until they come into existence, despite countless setbacks and failures. It is important to become comfortable with the fact that you may not see the reasons for your struggles now but what is meant for you will not pass you by. Read more>>

Terry Hendricks | Realtor

How Do You Think About Risk? Risk is inevitable. We all, sooner or later, take chances. There’s an old fable that I live by: “Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. Similarly, the gazelle knows it has be on its toes and ready to run, or it will die. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle – when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” Read more>>