Fear is a Mile Wide and an Inch Deep - Part 1

There’s a quote that’s stuck with us lately: 

“Fear is a mile wide and an inch deep.” 

It sounds poetic, sure. But when you’re in it - deadlines mounting, accounts draining, your mind spinning at 2am - it doesn’t feel like an inch deep. It feels endless. 

Right now, at VRVE HQ (also known as our kitchen table), we’re in a season of stacked stress. We’re working long hours, running a side business that demands more if we really want to make it work, trying to secure our first property in Australia, and talking about starting a family before the year ends. The logistics are wild. The hours? Unreal. And even though the money’s decent, the time cost is starting to show. 

The result? Our bodies are tired. Our minds are scattered. And that’s exactly where fear loves to linger. 

Fear thrives in exhaustion. When you’re under-slept, overworked, skipping meals, and slamming coffee, fear gets louder. Our brains aren’t made to think clearly when we’re depleted - they’re made to protect. Cue: overthinking, worst-case scenarios, stress spirals. 

There’s neuroscience behind this. When your body is in a state of chronic stress, cortisol floods the system. And when cortisol’s high, your prefrontal cortex - the part of your brain responsible for rational thought and decision-making starts to dim. Instead, your amygdala takes over. That’s the fear centre. It’s brilliant at keeping you alive, but terrible at helping you build a life. 

But here’s the shift: when we feel strong - when our bodies are fuelled, our energy’s high, and our brains are switched on - the fear quiets. Our perspective shifts from survival to strategy. 

We designed VRVE meal replacements for exactly these moments. For the mornings when stress wants to win, but we’ve got things to do. It’s a reminder: fuel is the foundation. And if we don’t eat well, rest properly, or support our bodies - fear will find a way in. 

Sweet Potato – A grounding, complex carb with a long history of traditional use. Steady energy, rich in vitamin A, and gentle on the gut. Naturally gluten-free, of course. 

MCT Oil – A clean-burning fat that fuels your brain. Unlike quick energy fixes, MCT gives you sustained focus without the crash. 

 Quality Protein – The foundation of strength and resilience. Quality protein not only builds and repairs tissues but plays a crucial role in neurotransmitter production; affecting everything from mood to motivation. When your body has enough protein, your brain is more chemically equipped to regulate stress and step into action. 

Balanced Macros – Sweet potato for steady carbs, MCT oil for clean fats, protein for strength. This trio supports real-life energy...because peak performance doesn’t come from extremes, it comes from balance. Macronutrient synergy helps regulate blood sugar levels, mood, and energy throughout the day. 

Here’s what we’ve learned: Courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid. Courage means you move forward even when you are. As they say, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision that something else is more important.” 

When our bodies are strong and our energy is steady, it becomes easier to make that decision. To take the step anyway. To say yes to the bigger version of our lives - even when it feels hard. 

And in our case, that “something else” is building a life that energises us. That reflects our values. That gives back more than it takes. 

It’s tempting to say, “we’ll slow down soon” or “once the property settles, it’ll get easier.” But the truth is - life’s not slowing down. We’re building a business, a future family, and a life we believe in. That takes stamina. 

So we’ve had to change the question. 

Not: “How do we avoid fear?” 

But: “How do we stay strong enough to move through it?” 

It starts with how we fuel ourselves. How we treat our energy. And how we build courage - not by eliminating fear, but by not letting it drive the decisions. 

Stay tuned for Part 2: The Banquet of Consequences. 

Kennett & Xanthe 

VRVE Founders