“Starting to host live broadcasts [brought up] so many emotions: terrified, excited, proud.
“And people have told me, ‘Oh my goodness, I feel like I would freeze up when the camera’s on,’ but that was the most natural position for me because I felt, just a little bit, like I was back on stage, cheerleading. You’re standing on the stage, the lights are off, you’re in your head. And then the lights turn on, the music drops, and you’re on a world stage in front of thousands of people doing an incredibly difficult three-minute routine and who knows, you might even be injured right now, but you don’t have an option. When those lights and that music comes on, it’s almost like something bigger than yourself takes over and you just have to go.
“And that is the exact same feeling when they’re counting you down for a live broadcast: ‘3, 2, 1. Hello, welcome to NASA. My name is Tahira Allen!’ Before something like that happens, I am terrified. I am sitting here thinking, what is about to come out of my mouth? But just like with cheer, whatever you do, you keep moving. I don’t know what’s going to come out my mouth. But I need to keep talking and just embrace fear. Embrace being uncomfortable.
“…You cannot grow without approaching the fear, embracing the fear, and then pushing past it.”
— Tahira Allen, Digital Lead, NASA’s Planetary Science Division and Science Engagement and Partnership Division, Mori Associates, NASA Headquarters
Image Credit: NASA / Keegan Barber
Interviewer: NASA / Thalia Patrinos