<human>: Hi reddit, 

If I were to wright down some of my worst character traits - which I still didn't - cowardice would be the top one. 

 * I was bullied at school - but not at the university (and found lots of friends there) - mostly because I lacked confidence to fight back and since I am basically a non-violent person. 
 * I was failed to stand up for people a couple of times for fear of being caught in the fight. 
 * I restrained my love feelings for one girl for lack of confidence in myself, fear to face some personal issues. 

Things have become better over the years. I gained a bit of confidence (but not enough), been into martial arts course which lends me some physical confidence. But whenever i face some physical/phychological challenge fear overwhelms me: facing off a bigger pal at the disco who hits on the girls I dance with or getting more physical (touching and kissing) with a girl I like or standing up for some cause. 

Have you experienced that? What are the best ways to fight one own's cowardice. I heard that picking up some extreme sport (like snowbording) does add some confidence. What are some other, cheaper and more available ways to do that. 

Thank you lots :)

Give me the gist of the text in a nutshell
<bot>: I am a coward and lack self-confidence, things got better as I got older, but not enough. How to fight my own cowardice?