For millions of Americans, the mere thought of spiders is enough to send shivers down their spine. As many as 3 to 15 percent of the population suffer from arachnophobia, a debilitating fear of our eight-legged friends. In an attempt to conquer her own fear of spiders, popular radio show host Erin Molan decided to take on a challenge that would test her limits. She agreed to hold a tarantula live on air during her show, but what happened next was far from what she expected.
As the tarantula was brought into the studio, everything seemed calm. But as Erin Molan approached the spider, her fear began to take hold. Listeners could hear her breathing heavily and moaning, and one of the spider’s handlers even asked if they should stop. But Molan was determined to face her fear head-on.
Despite the handler’s reassurances, Molan suffered a panic attack and passed out live on air. Her co-host, Hughesy, tried to regain control of the situation as the show descended into chaos. After a break, Molan regained consciousness and apologized to her listeners.
While some may have criticized Molan for taking on a challenge that she wasn’t prepared for, many praised her bravery for attempting to face her fear. One supporter wrote on social media, “It’s a very scary challenge, no need to feel awful about it, so many of us have fear in all situations.”
Although the incident may have been traumatic for Molan, the tarantula was unharmed and is doing well. And perhaps, in facing her fear, Molan has inspired others to confront their own fears and anxieties.
It’s not easy to confront our deepest fears, but sometimes facing them head-on is the only way to overcome them. Molan’s experience serves as a reminder that we are all capable of facing our fears, no matter how daunting they may seem. And who knows? By facing our fears, we may discover a newfound courage that we never knew we had.
WATCH the video below to see Erin Molan pass out from her fear of spiders:
Source: AWM