what does courage mean?
The meaning of Courage, and How it Needs to Change
Quick answer: Courage is the capacity to take purposeful action even while you feel fear. Courage 2.0 upgrades this from Hollywood heroics to the daily, internal battles that decide the size of your life.
TL;DR
Courage 1.0 = overt, external heroics (fire‑fighting, battlefield glory).
Courage 2.0 = covert, internal bravery (asking for a raise, leaving a toxic relationship).
You build Courage 2.0 through daily bold moves, not positive‑thinking mantras.
Skipping the reps keeps you stuck in a cardboard‑box life you’ve simply learned to tolerate.
Imagine you’re walking home from a late night out. As you enter your apartment complex, you see a man in the lobby trying to steal an elderly woman’s purse. The man is larger than you and physically imposing.
How would you act in such a moment? It’s easy to imagine how we would like to act, but how sure are you that you would do it? Could you conjure the courage to do the right thing?
Types of courage
Being courageous doesn’t mean to be without fear, but rather having enough strength or power to act even when fear is present.
When many of us think of courage, we tend to think of big heroic acts. Perhaps it’s a first responder heading into a burning building, a soldier heading into war, or someone making a bold political stand.
We might call this version of Courage 1.0, old school courage, or big C courage.
This is the version of courage we find in classics like The Iliad where men go into battle and die glorious deaths. This version of courage is closer to heroism; it’s about overcoming an external force. It’s an overt form of courage, meaning it’s visible from the outside. It’s also a highly social form of courage – it usually involves being noticed by others doing something brave. It’s traditionally associated with male social codes such as fulfilling a duty to country or family that transcends their personal concerns.
Courage is the capacity to do scary or difficult things even when you feel fear.
There is another kind of courage, this one has nothing to do with conquering others. Courage 2.0 might be known as little c courage, new school courage, or everyday courage. It’s about overcoming internal battles and challenges.
These actions are usually invisible to others, and rarely result in any type of recognition or reward. These are covert actions rather than overt ones. Examples of this type of courage might be asking someone out on a date, holding your own in an argument against an aggressive foe, or applying for a job in a new field.
There isn’t any real external threat, but it feels like there is to the person doing it. It’s about overcoming our inherited limbic programming to reach our goals – asking for a new job, meeting a new partner, or standing up to a foe.
What kind of Courage Do We Need?
Society focuses too much on courage 1.0 and not enough on 2.0. This is not to say that courage 1.0 doesn’t have value – it does. But these big moments are rare and tend to occur during times of emergency or crisis, not in the everyday life.
Courage 1.0 is hard to practice on a regular basis as there aren’t many opportunities for most of us to work on it. Call of Duty might simulate a war but playing it doesn’t help you with your courage. Courage 2.0 can be practiced and put into action regularly – even daily. It’s about taking risks and putting yourself out there, going out on a limb on a regular basis. It’s a practice, a skill that needs to be worked on and developed.
Courage 2.0 is about overcoming internal battles and challenges.
If you want to be able to have any chance in moments that require big C courage, you better be well-versed in little c courage. You need to make bold moves and actions on a regular basis, moments when you go against your internal fear and anxiety. It’s about challenging your limbic system - which evolved to keep you safe but doesn’t care if you’re living your best life or not.
This is a muscle that needs to be exercised – and it atrophies if you don’t use it. The best solution is to start training now – growing your capacity for courage and doing hard things.
Courage Examples
Courage 1.0: Big, overt actions that result in a reward from others.
Courage 2.0: Covert actions that rarely result in a reward.
Courage 1.0: Firemen running into a building or rescuing someone from drowning.
Courage 2.0: Asking for a raise or leaving a dysfunctional relationship.
Courage 1.0 is hard to practice and prepare for.
Courage 2.0 can be practiced and grown every day.
Five Daily Bold Moves
(Courage Workout ⏱ < 15 min)
Geronimo Email: Pitch an idea to someone 1–2 levels above you.
Hard Yes/No: Decide on something you’ve waffled over > 7 days – no middle.
Eye‑Contact Count‑Up: Hold eye contact with strangers – aim for 3, 5, then 7 seconds.
Rejection Rep: Ask for 10 % off your coffee – outcome irrelevant, reps critical.
Dr. Noah Laracy is a Clinical Psychologist in Los Angeles, California focused on redefining courage for a new generation of men who want to live bigger lives.
FAQs
What is courage in simple words? Courage is acting toward a meaningful goal while fear is present.
Is courage genetic or learned? The capacity is universal; the skill is learned through repeated bold moves.
How do I practice courage every day? Start with tiny discomforts: making hard decisions, honest apologies, or posting that unpopular opinion under your real name.
Does courage mean no fear? No. Fear is data; courage is choosing your values over your sensations.
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