The Norms We Break

#29. In this episode, Anne Mbugua shares a childhood story that may sound wild — eating half a mini tub of Vaseline to win a dare and earn a week on her brother’s prized BMX bike. But beneath the mischief was something deeper: a desire to prove herself, test her limits, and challenge the norms set around her.

We explore:

✅ What social norms are and why we care about them

✅ How childhood challenges can shape adult resilience

✅ Why doing something outside the norm can feel scary — but also deeply empowering

I reflect on how that same guts and grit attitude has guided me through adulthood, helping me navigate change, uncertainty, and risk with bravery and curiosity.

Key Takeaways

1. Norms shape us but don’t have to define us. We have the power to question and reshape the rules we live by.
2. Bravery comes in all forms. It’s not always dramatic; sometimes it’s in small, unexpected acts that build our resilience.
3. Failure is part of growth. When we step outside the norm, we open ourselves to both failure and success — and both are valuable teachers.

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