Meet George Nolan

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful George Nolan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

George, 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.

Overcoming imposter syndrome was a journey of embracing my unique story and focusing on the impact I bring to others. As a U.S. Marine and someone who navigated 17 years of incarceration, I realized my history didn’t define my future—it shaped my resilience. Through my work with Refine2Inspire and Persevere, I’ve helped others unlock their potential, which reinforced my own sense of purpose.

By reframing self-doubt as a sign of growth, I shifted my focus from insecurities to the lives I’ve touched through mentoring, teaching, and advocacy. Leaning into my authenticity and celebrating small wins—like hosting impactful podcasts, delivering keynote speeches, and earning trust to mentor peers—helped me silence inner doubt. Surrounding myself with supportive colleagues and reflecting on the transformations I’ve witnessed showed me that my vulnerability is a strength, and my story is one of empowerment, not limitation.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

At Refine2Inspire, I focus on creating opportunities for personal development and intentional change, especially for those impacted by incarceration. My work involves developing workshops, in-prison classes, and online content to inspire growth and resilience. I aim to help individuals break through self-doubt and find their purpose, emphasizing that setbacks can become springboards for success.

What excites me most is the ripple effect of transformation. Seeing someone gain the confidence to rewrite their story and contribute positively to their community is incredibly rewarding. Through Outlaws to Advocates, our podcast, my co-hosts and I share candid conversations about overcoming adversity and building brighter futures. These stories highlight the power of vulnerability and the strength found in shared experiences.

We’re currently expanding our podcast and developing new tools for personal development. From in-depth storytelling to practical resources, Refine2Inspire continues to grow as a hub for change and empowerment.

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?

Looking back, three key qualities that shaped my journey were resilience, authenticity, and relationship-building. Each of these played a pivotal role in turning my challenges into opportunities for growth and impact.

Resilience: Life’s hardships taught me to persevere. Whether it was navigating incarceration or rebuilding my life, resilience helped me see obstacles as opportunities to grow. For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to embrace discomfort and learn from failure—it’s where true strength is built. Start small by pushing through everyday challenges and reflecting on the lessons they offer.

Authenticity: Sharing my story openly and honestly allowed me to connect with others and inspire change. Being real about your experiences and vulnerabilities is empowering. To develop authenticity, practice self-awareness and surround yourself with people who value the real you. Your story, no matter how imperfect, is your superpower.

Relationship-Building: Cultivating meaningful connections has been essential. From mentoring peers to building professional networks, relationships open doors. To improve in this area, focus on listening more than you speak. Genuine curiosity about others creates trust and opens paths to collaboration.

My advice is simple: lean into who you are, embrace the tough times as stepping stones, and invest in building connections that inspire and support growth. Every step forward is progress.

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

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey profoundly impacted my life by offering a practical framework for intentional growth and personal leadership. The book’s focus on aligning values with actions helped me reframe my past challenges and create a vision for my future.

Covey’s principles—like being proactive, starting with the end in mind, and prioritizing what truly matters—gave me tools to break out of reactive cycles and take ownership of my decisions. The emphasis on habits of renewal, like sharpening the saw, reinforced the importance of self-care and continuous improvement in my personal and professional journey.

What resonated most was the idea of building trust and interdependence. These concepts helped me forge stronger relationships and create impactful collaborations. 7 Habits didn’t just teach me how to succeed; it showed me how to live a life of purpose, balance, and integrity.

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