Bravery
Over regret
★
The biggest risks in life aren’t the chances we take—they’re the opportunities we never pursue.
Jill Schulman shows leaders how to move beyond fear, take meaningful action, and create a life they won’t look back on with regret.
As seen on
Yep, that’s me.
Covered in camouflage. Sitting in the back of a military aircraft. Looking like I knew exactly what I was doing.
But the truth is, I didn’t.
A few years earlier, I was an 18-year-old from Minnesota who showed up to Marine Corps training completely out of my element. I was told I might not make it. On my first run, I couldn’t keep up. I questioned whether I belonged there at all.
But I kept showing up. Day after day. Challenge after challenge.
I would become one of the first women to serve as an officer in combat engineering. Looking back, it wasn’t talent, confidence, or fearlessness that got me there.
Along the way, I discovered a lesson that would shape the rest of my life:
Bravery isn’t the absence of fear.
It’s the decision to move forward anyway, putting courage over regret.
Jill Schulman,
US Marine Corps
The
Bravery Effect™
We tend to believe that one day…
This is The Bravery Effect™.
The 4 Truths About
Bravery
01
Bravery is Built,
Not Born
★
Bravery isn’t a personality trait reserved for a lucky few. It’s a skill that grows every time we choose action over avoidance. The more we practice bravery, the more natural it becomes.
02
Action Creates Confidence
★
Most people wait until they feel ready. The reality is that confidence grows after we take the first step, not before. Action isn’t the reward of confidence, but the source of it.
03
Environment Shapes Bravery
★
The people around us shape what we believe is possible. Bravery grows stronger when we’re surrounded by people who challenge us, support us, and remind us of our potential.
04
BRAVERY ISN'T FEARLESSNESS
★
Fear isn’t a sign to stop. It’s often a sign that something important is on the other side. The question isn’t whether fear is present—it’s whether you’ll let it make the decision for you.
The Story Behind
The Science of
Bravery
★
Bravery isn’t just something Jill experienced. It became something she wanted to understand. After years of leading in environments where hesitation carried real consequences, she wanted to know why some people act in the face of fear while others hold back.
To answer that question, Jill earned a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania to explore the science behind resilience, human behavior, and brave action.
There, she studied alongside some of the most influential thinkers in positive psychology, including Martin Seligman, the founder of Positive Psychology, and Angela Duckworth, author of Grit. Their research helped shape Jill’s understanding of how people overcome fear, navigate uncertainty, and take meaningful action.
Today, those evidence-based insights form the foundation of The Science of Bravery—a framework that combines real-world leadership experience with the latest research on bravery, resilience, and human performance.
Studied Under
Martin Seligman, Founder of Positive Psychology
Research Influenced By
Angela Duckworth, Author of Grit
Where Experience Meets
Evidence
Where Experience Meets
Evidence
Where military leadership, positive psychology, research, and practice converge to reveal the science behind brave action.
Lived It
US Marine Corps
Officer
★
As one of the first women officers in combat engineering, Jill learned firsthand what it means to lead when hesitation carries real consequences.
Taught It
Author & Thought Leader
★
Author of The Bravery Effect and trained more than 30,000 leaders, translating behavioral science into practical action.
TheScience Of Bravery
★
Years of experience, research, and observation distilled into a deeper understanding of bravery and how people act in the face of fear.
Studied It
Positive Psychology
at Penn
★
Master’s degree in Positive Psychology from Penn, studying alongside leading thinkers, exploring the science behind brave actions and human behavior.
Proven It
High-Impact
Keynote Speaker
★
More than 1,000 speaking engagements helping organizations build cultures of bravery, accountability, and action.
Conversation
Conversation
Hear Jill’s perspectives on leadership, resilience, human behavior, and what it takes to act when the stakes are highest.
Recent Media Appearances
Recent Podcast Appearances
- Podcasts
★
On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, Jon is joined by Jill Schulman, author, former Marine, and a true thought leader on the psychology of bravery. Jill just released her powerful new book, The Bravery Effect, and together we dive deep into what it really means to be brave in today’s world.
- Podcasts
★
Bravery expert, Jill Schulman, author of The Bravery Effect, reframes bravery as a trainable skill rather than an innate trait. She explains how “bravery reps” build confidence and self-trust by acting despite fear, and why fear is often a social signal pointing toward growth rather than real danger.
- Podcasts
★
Brad Lea sits down with Jill Schulman — a former Marine Corps Combat Engineer Officer, corporate leadership coach, and author of The Bravery Effect. From blowing things up on the battlefield to blowing up comfort zones in boardrooms, Jill reveals the science behind bravery and how anyone — yes, even YOU — can learn to conquer fear, take bold action, and become the leader of their life.
- Podcasts
★
Take a journey through the academic side of bravery with CEO and founder of Breakthrough Leadership Group, Jill Schulman. This week on The Unbeatable Mind, Jill Schulman reflects on her training to become a Marine officer and the physical and mental challenges that came with it. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and a growth mindset.
- Podcasts
★
Jill Schulman joins the hot seat, where she describes discomfort and growth as two sides of the same coin. And explains that to be successful, you need to grow. And to grow, you need to face discomfort.
- Podcasts
★
What does it take to transform fear into fuel for success? In this episode, Jill Schulman, a Marine officer veteran, leadership expert, and author, shares her powerful journey from ROTC to the boardroom. She reveals how “The Bravery Effect,” grounded in psychology and neuroscience, helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday people build courage, resilience, and meaningful success.
- Podcasts
★
What if bravery isn’t the absence of fear—but the ability to act through it? In this ReFind Resilience Podcast episode, author and speaker Jill Shulman shares insights from her new book, The Bravery Effect: A Parable Teaching the Science of Conquering Fear, Achieving More, and Living Life to the Fullest.
- Podcasts
★
Jill Schulman is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, keynote speaker, and expert in the science of bravery. With a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology (Science of Happiness and Well-Being), she combines evidence-based research with real-world experience to help individuals and teams embrace courage, push limits, and achieve greater performance and well-being. Her upcoming book, The Science of Bravery, provides practical tools for developing a courageous mindset, taking bold actions, and building brave relationships.
- Podcasts
★
In this empowering episode of Sparks of Gratitude, host Randy Sparks welcomes Jill Schulman, a former U.S. Marine, leadership expert, and author of The Bravery Effect, to explore the true meaning of bravery. Together, they dive into how fear holds us back, why courage is built through daily habits, and how embracing discomfort can unlock growth, resilience, and joy.
- Podcasts
★
In this powerful conversation, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and leadership expert Jill Schulman breaks down The Bravery Effect—why courage isn’t about eliminating fear, but taking action in its presence. From being one of the first female combat engineers in the Marines to leading in corporate America, Jill explains how meaningful goals, mental toughness, and intentional action create resilient leaders.
- Podcasts
★
Tommy is joined by bravery expert, leadership developer, and author Jill Schulman to unpack The Bravery Effect—the idea that bravery isn’t something you’re born with, but something you can train. Jill shares her unconventional path from Marine Corps officer to positive psychology expert, blending personal stories, scientific research, and practical tools to show that courage is a learnable skill.
- Podcasts
★
Jill Schulman, Founder & Principal of Breakthrough Leadership Group and author of The Bravery Effect, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on fear, leadership, resilience, and the science of bravery.
READY TO BUILD A BRAVER CULTURE?
COURAGEOVER REGRET
The strongest cultures are built when people stop avoiding discomfort and start leading with bravery. Jill Schulman equips audiences with the mindset and resilience to take action when it matters most.