Meet Jen Ruiz

We recently connected with Jen Ruiz and have shared our conversation below.

Jen, 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.

The key to overcoming imposter syndrome is to take action! Instead of spending time worrying about what could go wrong, start and refine the process along the way as things inevitably do go wrong.

As an entrepreneur with a personal brand, I feel imposter syndrome all the time and it doesn’t go away with the next level of success.

I think about Brené Brown’s concept of being in the arena. Sure, you may have missteps and people booing you along the way, but at least you’re in the arena. At least you’re getting messy and living instead of just being a passive spectator to the journey of others.

Imposter syndrome is pervasive and hard to kick. The key is to live your live undeterred by it.

Recently, I won Outstanding Social Media Presence at the TBEX Travel Creator Awards.

Immediately, negative imposter thoughts popped into my head.

I thought I didn’t deserve it because didn’t have the most followers. Sure, I had over 375,000, but was that a million?

Or that I didn’t have recent virality. Sure, I’d generated more than 100M views with my content, but what gone viral for me lately?

I worried I didn’t campaign the hardest and as a result, didn’t want it the most.

If I had let it, imposter syndrome would’ve ruined that celebratory moment. One that I legitimately earned.

I resolved instead to put imposter syndrome aside and enjoy my win, guilt-free.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Jen Ruiz and I’m a lawyer turned full-time travel blogger and content creator. I work with brands and tourism boards to promote them to my audience across various social media platforms. I share helpful tips and information for travelers online. I am also a writer with multiple books and bylines in outlets like Lonely Planet, National Geographic, and Fodor’s Travel. I am the solo female traveler behind Jen on a Jet Plane.

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?

Writing has been my strongest skill set. Not everyone can convey their thoughts cohesively and intelligently with words. I recommend signing up for storytelling courses. I have worked with Don George and he is excellent. He’s at the Book Passage conference every year.

Public speaking has been a tremendous skill to have. Join public speaking organizations like Toastmasters and start by applying to speak at conferences in your field to build your experience. Get comfortable speaking into a camera.

Adaptability is a must in 2024. So many things are in flux, with mass layoffs and legislation to ban social media platforms and Google updates. A successful person will be able to ride the waves, instead of digging their heels in and getting washed over.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The entire You Are a Badass series by Jen Sincero has been incredibly helpful for me, and I re-listen to it regularly. The first book in the series talks about the importance of mindset, removing your own blocks about what you think is possible, and taking bold audacious steps towards your goals. You Are a Badass at Making Money is about how to change your money mindset and be successful in business following a non-traditional path.

For similar reasons, I also enjoy books by Denise Duffield Thomas and Rachel Rodgers.

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Jen Ruiz

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