Recognizing your automatic defensive reactions when feeling afraid is not an innate ability. According to research from Brené Brown, it's a trainable skill. The hardest work in personal and professional development is building the awareness of what your specific 'armor' is and how it manifests.
The primary obstacle to courage isn't fear itself, but the defensive mechanisms we use to avoid feeling it. This protective 'armor,' while instinctual, ultimately disconnects us from our values and meaningful connections. The most difficult work is recognizing these automatic, self-sabotaging responses when we're afraid.