And now it's time to Ask the Shrink.

Hey, welcome to this bonus episode of Ask the Shrink.

We got a question here from John George.

He says, hey, Dr. Aziz, we'd just like to say your work is amazing and thank you for sharing your knowledge with myself and others who struggle in these areas.

I'm 25 and I've never had a girlfriend. I'm not a geek. It's good to know. I'm a British infantry soldier, but because

of fear and childhood experience, I've been afraid to talk boldly to women. So anyway, I read your book

Solution to Social Anxiety about two months ago and the Art of Extraordinary Confidence about a month ago,

and I've been listening to your podcasts. Started out just talking to strangers at the gym more and more

and then went out a week ago and went to a bar for Christmas

and asked four girls for their numbers and got three,

which is an amazing success for me.

I've also had Tinder for the past few weeks,

and I've flirted with and asked outwomen on there as well.

I've not had any successes getting any of these girls to go out with me yet, but at least I'm taking action.

The thing is, though, over the last few days, I've been going out day and night expecting to repeat it, and my fear has stopped me dead.

It's like I've taken two steps forward and one step back.

Is that what you call the backlash? I mean, I've been talking to shop assistants more and to

random guys, but the fear has all of a sudden become more intense. Would appreciate if you could

either reply or make a podcast on this. Thanks anyway. Hope you have a good new year.

John. Yes, I love the question. Thank you, John. So two steps forward, one step back. As you're

listening to this, can you relate? I think that's how growth works. I don't think there's any sort

of linear progression to glory that does not involve any backslides,

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