Fear can be the most stupid feeling. For me, it’s pointless 90 per cent of the time. I feel scared every time I take a motorbike taxi home, but still I take one (and grip on for dear life every time).

I feel scared every time I have to stand up to somebody and say “no”; for example when a vile man at my gym, a few week ago, told me it was really unfair that women had more rights than men (oh PLEASE!), or when my boyfriend’s pushy friend tries to bully us into going clubbing every week. I seriously hate clubbing — I can’t hear what anyone is saying, the toilets are always revolting, and the music, all sounds the same to me. I like to be a people pleaser, though, so saying no is really stressful.

I feel scared every time I pitch a feature to someone new — what if they think I am terrible? I feel scared every time I go to the gym — what if people think I am weedy or fat or unfit?

I am scared every time I speak Thai — what if I get it wrong and people think I am an idiot?

So, yes. Most of the time I am scared about something or the other. It doesn’t help. In fact, it does the opposite and stops me from taking risks.

When I am a little more fearless, it feels great.

Some of the best moments of this year were a direct result of being a bit braver. I did tell that gym guy that he was a misogynistic fool (but I used other choice words) and got congratulated by a woman who was listening nearby.

It’s when I don’t give a monkey’s what people think that I perform my best ever in the gym; running faster, lifting heavier. It’s when I am braver that I have fun with my boyfriend’s family, speaking in Thai about my day and theirs, rather than remaining mute and just smiling at them. It’s when I put myself out there to be made a fool of or mocked or get shot down that the real fun happens.

Of course, sometimes, I do fail. For example, when I was single and I asked Hotty Instructor, my personal trainer, if he wanted to come out with me and my friends one night. “Hahahaha no” was his devastating answer. Sure, my heart felt like it had been crumpled up in a ball and kicked in a trash can, but at least I tried.

There was also the time I tried to fling 70lbs over my head for the first time and got distracted by a weirdy guy who was staring at me in the mirror. I ended up flinging the bar into my face and managing to break a nail at the same time. So mad at him for that. My beautiful nail!

Sometimes being fearless means looking like a prat. Sometimes it means looking awesome; it can only go one of two ways and I think it’s worth the risk.

That said, I am embracing my inner Mohammad Ali and his whole “impossible is nothing” ethos for 2014 and beyond. I know it’s a bit late for resolutions, but it’s never too late for a spot of self improvement.

I’m already living a life I didn’t think was possible for me; working for myself, being one of the strongest women in the gym etc, so I’m compiling a list of things that I feel are so difficult that they are virtually out of reach for me. Man, I love writing lists.

Fluent in Thai? Why not. Tripling my deadlift? Sure. Setting up my own gym? Can do. I have all the tools I need to do these things (you know, a body and a brain), so why not?