When the Monster is You: Reflections on the Final Showdown
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the Final Showdown.
It’s such a dramatic phrase, isn’t it? You can almost hear the soundtrack swelling behind it, the tension building, as the hero steps forward to face whatever beast, villain, or dark moment lies ahead.
But what does that look like outside of stories? In the quiet of our everyday lives, where are those showdowns hiding?
Because I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had to slay a dragon. The “monsters” I’ve faced don’t look like beasts at all.
It’s such a dramatic phrase, isn’t it? You can almost hear the soundtrack swelling behind it, the tension building, as the hero steps forward to face whatever beast, villain, or dark moment lies ahead.
But what does that look like outside of stories? In the quiet of our everyday lives, where are those showdowns hiding?
Because I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had to slay a dragon. The “monsters” I’ve faced don’t look like beasts at all.
The Stakes Feel Big—Even When They Aren’t
There’s something funny about these moments: the way they feel enormous, even when, from the outside, they’re not. Maybe it’s a presentation at work, or a performance you’ve prepared for. Maybe it’s standing up in front of people and saying something you’re terrified to say out loud.
The tension feels real because, in that moment, everything matters. Or at least it feels like it does.
When I think back to my own Final Showdown moments, there’s a particular one that stands out. It involved singing—a college recital where I had to get up in front of hundreds of people, ready to perform. And despite all the preparation, all the work I’d put in, when the moment came, I froze. Completely.
It’s hard to describe the wave of embarrassment and shame I felt standing there in silence. I wanted to disappear, to sink into the floor and let someone else take over. I did eventually get through it, but not without feeling like I’d stumbled at the most important moment.
What stayed with me wasn’t just the stumble itself. It was the way that moment reflected back at me—how fragile my confidence had been, how quickly fear took over.
And that’s what I’ve been wondering: What are these moments really about? Is it ever just about what’s happening on the outside?
The tension feels real because, in that moment, everything matters. Or at least it feels like it does.
When I think back to my own Final Showdown moments, there’s a particular one that stands out. It involved singing—a college recital where I had to get up in front of hundreds of people, ready to perform. And despite all the preparation, all the work I’d put in, when the moment came, I froze. Completely.
It’s hard to describe the wave of embarrassment and shame I felt standing there in silence. I wanted to disappear, to sink into the floor and let someone else take over. I did eventually get through it, but not without feeling like I’d stumbled at the most important moment.
What stayed with me wasn’t just the stumble itself. It was the way that moment reflected back at me—how fragile my confidence had been, how quickly fear took over.
And that’s what I’ve been wondering: What are these moments really about? Is it ever just about what’s happening on the outside?
Who or What Are We Really Fighting?
In stories, the hero often faces a monster, or a villain, or some looming, external, often physical threat. But when I think about real-life Final Showdowns, they rarely look like that.
More often, the battle is waged inside of us, rather than an external arena.
Maybe it’s the voice that says you’re not ready, or not good enough. Maybe it’s the exhaustion that convinces you to quit when you’re so close to the finish line. Maybe it’s fear—of failure, or embarrassment, or of wanting something so badly and watching it slip away.
I suspect that sometimes that’s what makes these moments so hard: You’re not just fighting the external challenge. You’re fighting yourself.
When everything’s on the line, when you feel like the stakes couldn’t be higher, something happens. You see, maybe more clearly than at any other time, what you’re made of.
The preparation you’ve put in. The courage you didn’t think you had. The ability to keep going even when you’re stumbling.
Or, sometimes, the opposite. You see the places where you falter. The places where fear creeps in. And those moments, as painful as they are, hold their own kind of clarity.
What I’m starting to realize is that these battles—these Final Showdowns—don’t just test us. They shape us. They force us to confront the parts of ourselves we’d rather avoid. They push us to see who we are when it matters most. Because as much as we might wish for smooth victories, the truth is, stumbling and falling teaches us something, too. Even if it’s the realization that we are capable of surviving complete catastrophe.
And maybe that’s the point.
So I’m curious: What does a Final Showdown look like for you? Is it a performance, a presentation, a big decision? And when you find yourself standing in the arena—when the stakes feel impossibly high—who, or what, are you really fighting?
Because I have a feeling that whatever’s out there is only part of the story.
The rest? The rest is up to us.
More often, the battle is waged inside of us, rather than an external arena.
Maybe it’s the voice that says you’re not ready, or not good enough. Maybe it’s the exhaustion that convinces you to quit when you’re so close to the finish line. Maybe it’s fear—of failure, or embarrassment, or of wanting something so badly and watching it slip away.
I suspect that sometimes that’s what makes these moments so hard: You’re not just fighting the external challenge. You’re fighting yourself.
Final Showdowns and What They Reveal
The more I think about it, the more I realize that the real value of Final Showdowns my lie more in what they show us about ourselves, rather than the outcome - winning or losing.When everything’s on the line, when you feel like the stakes couldn’t be higher, something happens. You see, maybe more clearly than at any other time, what you’re made of.
The preparation you’ve put in. The courage you didn’t think you had. The ability to keep going even when you’re stumbling.
Or, sometimes, the opposite. You see the places where you falter. The places where fear creeps in. And those moments, as painful as they are, hold their own kind of clarity.
What I’m starting to realize is that these battles—these Final Showdowns—don’t just test us. They shape us. They force us to confront the parts of ourselves we’d rather avoid. They push us to see who we are when it matters most. Because as much as we might wish for smooth victories, the truth is, stumbling and falling teaches us something, too. Even if it’s the realization that we are capable of surviving complete catastrophe.
What’s Your Final Showdown?
I don’t have an answer to what these moments are supposed to look like, or how we’re supposed to handle them. I only know that when they come—when everything feels like it’s on the line—no matter the outcome, they always reveal something true about us.And maybe that’s the point.
So I’m curious: What does a Final Showdown look like for you? Is it a performance, a presentation, a big decision? And when you find yourself standing in the arena—when the stakes feel impossibly high—who, or what, are you really fighting?
Because I have a feeling that whatever’s out there is only part of the story.
The rest? The rest is up to us.
Related to this Episode
- #Hero'sJourney Collection
- Explore how the timeless Hero's Journey narrative serves as the
scaffolding for the stories we craft, share, and live—both with others
and within ourselves.
- What Makes a Hero? - TED Ed video - Matthew Winkler - Andrew insisted that I post a link ;-)
- Check out the fun Hero's Journey Merch at www.SecretHeroProject.com
- #HeroToolshed Collection - Take a peek at some of the key tools our Heroes use everyday to level up their skills and mindset.
- #Monsters Collection - Take a peek into the darker side of being a Hero. Do you recognize any of these scary beasts?
- Andrew mentioned Children's Business Fair - check and see if there's hosted in your area!
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About the Author
Angela is passionate about reshaping the way kids learn and grow. As the co-founder of Acton Academy Northwest Austin,
Angela is dedicated to fostering a learner-driven environment where
curiosity thrives and students take ownership of their educational
journeys. When not working with young heroes, they’re often exploring
big ideas on education, parenting, and lifelong learning right here on
the blog.
Want to learn more about our innovative approach to education? Check out Acton Academy Northwest Austin to see how we’re redefining school for the next generation of curious thinkers and independent learners.