Step Into Fear

A former addict's extraordinary journey from deception and despair to faith, purpose, and courage on the front lines of America's most dangerous stories. Ben Bergquam should have lost everything. Addicted to crack cocaine, trapped in lies, and slowly destroying his marriage, he was living a double life that seemed destined to end in disaster. By day he was a husband, father, and businessman. By night he became "Nick"—a man consumed by addiction, secrecy, and self-destruction. Then everything collapsed. Forced to confront the truth about who he had become, Ben began a painful journey of recovery, faith, and transformation that would ultimately lead him far beyond anything he could have imagined. Today, he reports from some of the most dangerous places on earth. From cartel-controlled territory in the Darién Gap to riots in American cities, from the U.S.-Mexico border to political flashpoints around the world, he has repeatedly stepped into situations most people spend their lives trying to avoid. In Step into Fear, Bergquam shares the remarkable story behind the headlines and recounts his battle with addiction, the restoration of his marriage, the lessons learned through failure, and the faith that gave him the courage to pursue a calling bigger than himself. Part redemption story, part spiritual memoir, and part frontline adventure, Step Into Fear is a powerful reminder that courage is not the absence of fear—it is the willingness to move forward despite it. No matter what stands in front of you, the first step toward freedom is stepping into fear.