What’s Scarier Than Sharks in the Water?
Why I’ll take the waves over the what-ifs
I'm still thinking about yesterday's ocean plunge at Second Beach. The water was that perfect temperature where you feel both invigorated and cleansed—until I remembered my client's story about surfing next to a seal. You know what that means, right? Where there are seals, there are likely sharks nearby.
But here's what struck me: we do this dance with fear every single day, don't we? We weigh the risks against what nourishes our souls. The ocean is my reset button, my energy cleanser after a day of healing work. Yet statistically, I'm probably in more danger driving to the beach than swimming in it.
This got me thinking about all the fears we carry—some rational, many not—and how they can either paralyze us or teach us to live more fully. Keep reading for some thoughts on navigating this beautiful, sometimes scary world with an open heart.
👇 In today's email:
This week's inspiration: What's Scarier Than a Shark?
Latest blog post: Reparenting Yourself: A Midlife Invitation to Inner Healing
What I'm Listening To: Daily Habits That Could Add Decades to Your Life
What's Scarier Than a Shark?
This week, one of my clients mentioned that while surfing, she saw a seal bobbing in the ocean next to her. At first I thought, "Oh, how cute!" But then we looked at each other and started shaking our heads. No, not so cute—because where there are seals, there are also sharks. Great whites occasionally swim in waters only 67 nautical miles from here. Maybe not these exact waters, but in the migratory patterns of a big fish, it isn't that far.
Upon jumping in the water with my daughter just yesterday, a kiteboarder casually mentioned, "Oh yeah, there was a hammerhead in the water," and apparently one was sighted at the adjacent beach the day before.
This brings me to think about the things we do, the risks we take, the fears we have, and how to manage these things in day-to-day life.
The Real Question
I don't have any simple answers, as going into the ocean is one of the things that makes me feel whole. As we engage in our new week, of course we're aware of the things that scare us. Oh my gosh, there are just so many. But also—what is the actual probability of these things affecting us negatively?
And how do we engage in an open-hearted, expansive way with our world, whether personally or professionally, knowing and perhaps occasionally obsessing about all the things that can go wrong?
My Energy Cleansing Ritual
To wash away all the energy that is not mine, I go into the ocean. It's not a deep swim, but actually just a quick plunge at Second Beach on my way home. The sun is still sparkling on the water as it's early evening, and those who were pursuing a deep bronze tan have long since left the seaside—probably in pursuit of a shower and a cocktail.
This plunging is one of several rituals I practice daily to help purify my energy.
Alternative Energy Cleansing
If you don't have access to the ocean, you can actually put kelp and epsom salt in your bathtub and jump in—that works pretty well. Also, putting a dab of lavender essential oil under your armpits works wonderfully.
The invitation here is to find your own ritual for washing away what isn't yours while still showing up fully for life. Turns out you can navigate fear and still live expansively!
Latest blog post
Reparenting Yourself: A Midlife Invitation to Inner Healing
I've asked clients over the years to speak to themselves in the voice of the person who loves them the most. Most often, this person is no longer here—perhaps a deceased grandparent. But many of us find our inner voice to be shaming, and maybe that's the voice of someone who has been so critical of us over our whole life.
Following the advice of my sister-in-law, I have framed a picture of my seven-year-old self in my bathroom in a big silver frame. I'm wearing a kimono my father brought back from Japan for me from a business trip in the 1980s. I greet her every morning when I brush my teeth, and again at the end of the day, offering her kind words.
Now that a lot of the heavy lifting in my parental life is over, I'm turning to my inner child, who probably needs a lot of support on the regular—as perhaps yours might need too.
I've noticed many clients saying their inner child is exactly the age they were when something traumatic happened. Perhaps we all have that feeling sometimes when our reactions are not in line with the adult we are—something childish comes out of us that's completely inappropriate. It actually is our inner child having a mini tantrum.
This blog post explores how to nurture that part of yourself that still needs love, validation, and gentle guidance. Because healing isn't just about moving forward—sometimes it's about going back to care for the parts of us that were left behind.
What I'm listening to
Daily Habits That Could Add Decades to Your Life
I listened to this podcast this morning, and I really loved the conversation between these two very accomplished doctors about concrete things we can do to improve our health. Both of them agree that the Western medical system is wonderful for acute and very serious problems, but for the reversal of chronic disease and the preventative medicine needed to keep us from getting so sick, our Western model actually isn't great. They describe it as catastrophic insurance—it doesn't deal with maintenance, but it's good for the cleanup.
"Normal" Doesn't Necessarily Mean Healthy
Both doctors also agree that "normal" lab values don't necessarily mean healthy lab values. As they put it, "normal" isn't quite "well." Specifically, they discussed testosterone and how the values we consider normal testosterone in men have changed dramatically over the last 30 years.
I love this conversation! It gets a little wonky toward the end, but I certainly recommend the first half. It's a refreshing reminder that we have more control over our health than we often realize.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts →
I’m cheering for you. Have a wonderful week!
Dr. Cat 🥰
Dr. Catherine Wellness
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© 2025 Hey Dr. Catherine. This content offers general wellness information for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about your health. The information and experiences shared reflect the clinical practice and personal perspective of Dr. Catherine Price and are not intended to replace individualized care.