"Well, I'm not advocating it," I said. "I just mean that before we learn to feel afraid of things, our bodies know how to do them anyway."
This quote reflects on the natural instincts and abilities we possess before fear dampens our confidence. As we age, we tend to lose some of that innate fearlessness, which paradoxically limits our actions. The author highlights the idea that fear often hinders us from doing what our bodies are naturally capable of, illustrating a common regret about growing older and becoming more cautious.