Meet Tristan Respress

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tristan Respress. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tristan, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

When we dive into new chapters in our life, Imposter Syndrome can plague our advances. Imposter Syndrome is when an Individual does not feel like they deserve their accomplishments or success. You feel like a fraud and have a fear that others will think that you are not as capable as you seem. Even though you clearly have the credentials from the perspective of others.

Essentially imposter syndrome is a sign that you’re really anxious and you struggle with being a perfectionist.

Back in 2015 my house burned down. I withdrew from college and my dreams of becoming an electrical engineer vanished. I ended up depressed and anxious, with my daily life living on repeat.

I could not stand the way I was living anymore and I fell into a world of self-improvement and spirituality. From what I learned, to master your reality, you have to master your mind.

After years of testing out different self-improvement and spiritual practices, I was able to build a better life for myself.

Imposter Syndrome is no easy feat. I have battled with imposter syndrome many times, through my online ventures from vapetricks, music, content creation, and longboarding.

Currently, I just overcame my imposter syndrome with self-improvement and spirituality. Stepping into my role as a guide for others looking to improve their lives.

Here is my process of overcoming imposter syndrome.

I became aware of my imposter syndrome. If I was not aware, then I will not overcome. If I let imposter syndrome rule my life, I will never put myself out there and attain my dreams.

I came to the conclusion that nothing is “perfect” in this world. There is “perfection” in imperfection. I had to be okay with being imperfect and breaking down my perfectionist tendencies. No matter what I create/ pursue, there will always be an opposing force.

This led me into a beginner mindset and a growth mindset. I realized, I’m not going to know everything. The more I learn, the more I know nothing. Thus opening myself up to a world of possibilities.

Then I realized all the knowledge I held within me can help another individual out on their journey. I don’t have to be a master, just a few steps ahead to help them climb up. So by me not sharing what I know, I was doing the collective a disservice from growing.

All of this is shadow work and healing. Changing my subconscious beliefs about myself and rewriting a new story. It can be exhausting and painful on one’s mental, so cultivating self compassion was necessary for me to overcome imposter syndrome.

After this process, it’s all about taking the next steps and putting yourself out there. I slowly started to post content over self-improvement and spirituality, taking one step at a time. A big emphasis on one step at a time, since I was dealing with anxiety.

Anxiety is essentially living in the future. Before, I would have such big plans on how to ascend the mountain to my dreams, but this just left me paralyzed. I came to the realization that to change my future, I need to operate in the present moment. This is where your power lies. So tackling my steps one step at a time took me far on my journey. “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”

Tools that helped ground me into the present moment was meditation, journaling/ songwriting, and nature.

In conclusion, I had to be aware that I was dealing with imposter syndrome. Realizing that there is “perfection” in imperfection. Cultivated a beginner and growth mindset while nurturing self compassion. Finally, taking one step at a time to overcome imposter syndrome. No one can truly help me through imposter syndrome as this is all self imposed. I had to do the inner work to see my way through.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have been creating content online since 2018, breaking into the vape niche as a trickster. I attended competitions and was sponsored.

I then left that lifestyle to improve myself and fell into the world of longboard dancing. This was a blessing in disguise as it grounded me into the present moment and aided me in getting in tune with my emotions. I had a few sponsors, but now I’m a free agent with dreams of having my own longboard company. My focus is on community, exploring, enjoying myself, and improving my craft.

I also like to song-write as I use it as a form of healing/ shadow work. I love how creative you can get within writing music and expressing myself. I make everything on my phone, but hope to improve the production and connect with others who resonate with my story.

My main focus as of now is to share what I know about self-improvement and spirituality with the world, aiding in the growth of the collective. I have been improving my speaking as in the past I had a belief that my voice was not worthy.

Lately, I have been donating a bit of money to Mental Health America. As I believe our mental health is important and would love to help out as much as I can.

You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, and SoundCloud @SmplyTristan

YouTube and Podcasting @SmplyHealing

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Improving your emotional intelligence, cultivating a growth mindset, and embracing your shadow work. These three skills were the most impactful on my journey to self.

The best advice I can give you is show your self compassion and things don’t happen to you, they happen for your highest good. If you feel love within yourself, the world will mirror love right back at you (:

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. This book is changed my life from getting out of a depressive state to embracing the present moment.

“The present moment holds the key to liberation. But you cannot find the present moment as long as you are your mind.”

“It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.”

“Instead of quoting the Buddha, be the Buddha, be “the awakened one,” which is what the word Buddha means.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://SmplyHealing.com
• Instagram: SmplyTristan
• Youtube: SmplyHealing
• Soundcloud: SmplyTristan
• Other: TikTok: @SmplyTristan

Image Credits

@OJ.Museum
@Tstedge
@SmplyTristan