by Anthony Megna

Created on: May 03, 2008   Last Updated: December 18, 2011

I have been a risk-taker since I can remember looking at the bars of my crib!  It seemed I always had to be in motion. Crawling constantly,and being determined to walk as soon as possible are scary events to a toddler. Somehow I felt comfortable in taking the risk. Maybe I lack that certain chemical in the brain that makes one feel alive when the adrenaline spikes up. I couldn't wait to go on the roller coaster at the local amusement park, but there was a height requirement. My mother measured my height one day, and she said "I don't know how, but you have grown 1/2". Little did she know I stuffed Kleenex in my shoes!

I actually felt at home on that roller coaster, and although it was a great ride I was looking for my next fix. My father was a risk-taker, believing in "nothing ventured, nothing gained" and he was my idol. So that was a big part of what shaped me. When I was a kid, I was the first to go off a cliff in a makeshift boxcar. Basically I slid down a hill into open air, and had to watch out for the boulders down below, but I did it. That was a bit foolish, but I had a crush on a girl and well, you know.

As I entered into my teens, growing up in the 70's everyone it seemed was experimenting with drugs. I tried almost every one, except heroin, but they all pretty much gave me a headache. I preferred the natural high to be honest.

In my 20's and up until now my passion has been for gambling. That is risk-taking, but one has to keep it under control because it can be dangerous for my type of personality.

My heroes have been explorers and astronauts who can make the ultimate sacrifice, but for a worthy cause. I just have to admire anyone who puts him or herself on the line for what is right. Like the military, for instance.

I feel if our maker did not want us to risk in life, everything would have been handed to us and we never would have grown as a species. Humans need risk to exceed. I feel very connected to that concept, and will continue to risk, albeit calculated, for the rest of my life.

The biggest risk of all is NOT to risk. Staying in one spot, never enjoying life, never succeeding because of the fear of failure, is the biggest risk of all.

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