Oprah Winfrey, courtesy of Twitter

Oprah opened up about her fear of balloons during a recent promotional video for the October issue of O Magazine.

"I really don't like balloons, and for my 40th birthday my entire staff decided to surprise me," said the 59-year-old media mogul. 

"I come downstairs and the entire audience is filled with balloons. Literally, I'm stepping over balloons, having to walk through balloons and I'm so, like, 'Oh! When is one going to pop?'' 

The anticipation of the "pop" triggered anxiety within Winfrey, but she overcame the fear by simply walking through them, inspiring the metaphor she now relies on when facing her fears. 

"No way around it, just walk right through it," said Winfrey. 

The October issue of O Magazine will be available on Sept. 17. 

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