Cus D’Amato – Travel Quote of the Week

Quick Summary 

In this article, you’ll learn how legendary boxing trainer Cus D’Amato’s quote—“Fear is like fire. It can cook for you. It can heat your house. Or it can burn you down”—applies not just to sports but to everyday life and travel. You’ll discover how fear, though natural and useful, often misguides us in modern contexts, especially when exploring new places or facing unfamiliar situations. The article explains how embracing and confronting fear can lead to personal growth, resilience, and confidence both in travel and life.

Who Was Cus D’Amato 

Cus D’Amato was an American boxing manager who helped train Mike Tyson, Floyd Patterson, and José Torres—all of whom are members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

D’Amato was born in the Bronx in 1908 to a family of Italian immigrants. He took up boxing at a young age, before opening up his own gym at age 25. For over 60 years, D’Amato trained some champion after champion, learning what led to greatness in the process.

Cus D’Amato trained the boxing great Floyd Patterson. © Time Inc.

 The Role of Fear in Human Evolution and Travel

This week’s travel quote—“Fear is like fire.  It can cook for you. It can heat your house. Or it can burn you down”—captures the role fear played in boxing success, according to D’Amato. He saw that it wasn’t physique or reflexes that separated champions from also-rans, but rather the ability to harness fear.

As D’Amato’s words illustrate, fear is a potent thing. Whether we’re afraid to fly, to be alone, or commit to a relationship, fear affects almost every decision we make.

On a most basic level, this is a primitive mechanism designed to keep us save, to alert us to potential threats. Fear keeps us from burning our hands on a hot stove, and from drowning in the ocean. But this system isn’t perfect. Advances in technology and society have transformed situations that would have been deadly thousands of years ago—and therefore still cause us to be afraid—into everyday occurrences. Here, fear has become a bully.

While perfectly safe, our brain often doesn’t like it when we do something like this.

Transforming Fear Into Strength

While traveling, we regularly find ourselves in circumstances that trigger this false fear reflex. Generations ago, if you found yourself surrounded by members of a different tribe, you’d probably be killed; today, foreigners are mostly ignored or greeted with a smile. Our ancestors would have freaked out if they found themselves 40,000 feet in the air; now that’s just called air transport.

Fortunately, our subconscious minds have an incredible ability to learn. Through regular exposure to misplaced fears, we can start to change how our minds and body react. Much like in a boxing match, well-placed jabs—AKA conscious efforts to seek out the things we’re afraid of—will weaken our inner bully and give us a jolt of confidence.

Fear certainly has a useful role in our lives. Most of the time it keeps us safe and healthy. But we must not let misplaced fear dictate the terms of our existence. This isn’t 200,000 BC, after all.

Feature Your Travel Quote to Us 

I publish a new travel quote every week, right here. Do you have a particular one you’d like us to feature in the future? What do you think about this quotation? Let us know in the comments below! 

 About the Author

Andrew Scott is the founder of Authentic Traveling and a travel educator who has traveled to over 30 countries. He believes in helping individuals discover deeper, more intentional journeys, with a focus on mental preparedness and purpose-driven travel.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why does the article compare fear to fire?

Because both can be helpful or harmful depending on how they are controlled—fear can protect us or hold us back.

How does travel help overcome fear?

Travel places us in new environments that challenge outdated fears, helping us build confidence and adaptability.

Who was Cus D’Amato and why is his quote relevant to travel?

He was a legendary boxing trainer who understood the power of mental strength. His insights on fear offer valuable lessons for travelers seeking to grow through new experiences.