Self-doubt and imposter syndrome have stopped far too many talented folks from going for their goals and reaching their true potential. Our hope is to host conversations that inspire folks to overcome imposter syndrome and help others as well.

Nicol Ragland

I don’t think i’ve overcome it but rather built a relationship with it. I usually see imposter syndrome more as explorer syndrome. It’s really just an internal measuring post to cultivate awe that helps move me into the wonder of the world instead of just the the weight.

I find it usually shows up internally when i’m meant to go directly into something
that’s challenging me to be better. Read More>>

Brooke Burnside

When I launched Barnyard Fitness, I had no prior teaching experience anywhere, no following, and no real roadmap to running a fitness studio. I was literally texting friends, my family, my parents’ friends—anyone I knew—and asking them to come take class. It was a full-blown grind and an all-day, every-day hustle.

At the same time, I was working through some heavy personal stuff—postpartum depression, body dysmorphia, divorce—and newly navigating life as a single mom. I was rebuilding my life while trying to build a business, and it left me feeling totally exposed.  Read More>>

Sara Conedera

In the early stages of my journey, I often hesitated to say, ‘I am an artist.’ Not because I didn’t create, but because I carried the weight of comparison. Being young, I felt I had to measure up to others whose paths seemed more defined, more accomplished. That pressure made it difficult to see the value in my own expression.

What helped me move forward was learning to turn inward. I stopped measuring my progress against others and began observing how I had grown from the person I used to be. I realized that our art isn’t something that can be compared, it’s a reflection of who we are, shaped by the seasons of our lives, our experiences, our wounds, our joys. Read More>>

Tracel Dickerson

It’s easy to look at others who seem to have it all together and assume their lives are free of struggle. But the truth is, everyone is fighting battles you can’t always see. That realization has helped ground me—reminding me not to measure my journey against someone else’s highlight reel.

Overcoming imposter syndrome isn’t about pretending to have it all figured out. It’s about knowing your worth, accepting what you don’t know, and being open to learning and growing. I remind myself often: You are where you’re supposed to be. There’s power in trusting the process, embracing the unknown, and honoring your own voice. Read More>>

Likki

I have always been struggling with imposter syndrome. It’s just a thing that never goes away for me, and I am always on top of it, fully aware that I have it. It has always been hard for me to release, because everything is always just shy of perfect. But that’s the thing, I changed my mindset halfway, and made a promise to myself that as long as this song is better than the last one, it’s good enough to be aired. I guess we develop imposter syndrome from the unfair comparison between ourselves to other people, which might make other people “enemies” – Read More>>

Anjolina Esser

First and foremost: Being an outwardly more “alternative appearing” fashion model is certainly NOT for the weak.
Seeing as the fashion industry is extremely competitive for models, and only recently started becoming more welcoming to more “alternative appearing” models on the runway; there’s been countless times where I’ve genuinely felt defeated, unremarkable, or that there’s a “glass ceiling” on my potential in the modeling world. Read More>>

Ally Yanxiu Luo

Imposter syndrome has never fully left me—but over time, I’ve learned to live with it and even use it to motivate myself to speak up and stand by my ideas. I remember one evening, sharing a project draft with friends whose opinions I really trust. The feedback was blunt but grounding: “We all know what good work looks like, and we all know we’re not there yet—and that’s okay.” Read More>>

Ashlee Sellars

For most of my life, I was told I was nothing. Worse than nothing—I was a thing.

I grew up with deep trauma, both personal and generational. My parents met in a mental hospital. Abuse and cruelty were constants in our home. I was bullied, and I bullied others. I was called horrible, broken, worse than my father ever was. At 17, after years of harm and survival, I defended myself against a man who had abused me for years—my stepfather. But no one asked if I was safe. I wasn’t protected—I was put right back in the same house. And eventually, I left. I stayed with others for survival. Read More>>

Katie Evans

That is still a daily practice. Allowing myself to be unapologetically me and accepting myself as that. Being able to help families with their dogs, some difficult. Seeing people cry happy tears when they never thought they would be able to help their dogs. That helps me. Reminds me that I’m here for a reason. Read More>>

Nee Mantse

Haha…Imposter syndrome is something I have had to fight very well. Once in a long while it tries to show up again but I know what colour it comes in so I’m able to overcome it before it does to me. How I overcame this is by taking a break to understand how unique and different I am created from everyone else in terms of my creative abilities. The fact that my fingerprint is unique and assigned to only me gives me the confidence to stand out anywhere I find myself. No one can do anything like you will do it and that’s it. Read More>>

Katya Garcia

As the inspiring spiritual Guru Sri Dharma Mitra says “We’re all passing through the same things. Some are younger souls and some are older souls. But we all will be or have already been there”. This resonates with me so deeply when my
mind wonders: “am I good enough to teach this or that?” Then I instantly remember: I can help some souls that are younger than me! That’s it! No more doubt – sure, I am walking a step behind someone, but I also walk one step ahead someone else, so my job is to hold hands of both sides. Read More>>

Jese Gary

Honestly, I’m still navigating it. I don’t believe imposter syndrome is something you fully overcome—it evolves with each new chapter of life. While I have a solid level of confidence, stepping into new opportunities often stirs up internal doubts about my qualifications and self-worth. For me, it’s less about how others perceive me and more about the narratives I tell myself.

Recently, I started working with someone on my resume and career development. It was eye-opening to realize that I was disqualifying myself from roles I could do. That was a turning point. I’ve learned to pause when resistance shows up and ask, “Is this a true thought, or is it fear speaking?” Read More>>

Julie Gillan

I wouldn’t say that I’ve overcome imposter syndrome, actually. I very much still feel like an imposter sometimes and I think a little bit of that will always be there as I build more and more confidence in myself, my mission and my brand as the years go on. My cousin once told me in a podcast, “just do it scared.” You’re never going to feel completely ready when doing something bold, courageous or against the norm, but do it anyway. Many people have great ideas, but action is what is necessary to make a great idea an epic business. Read More>>

Lauren Brown

As a self-taught wedding florist, the feeling of being an imposter was a shadow that followed me, especially when admiring the breathtaking work of established professionals on platforms like Instagram. My way of stepping out of that shadow involved a dedicated process of self-directed learning. Each inspiring post became a lesson, dissected through the lens of my fine art background to understand the elements that worked and those that didn’t.  Read More>>

Alexander Dehlavi

Imposter syndrome is one of the biggest challenges in any creative field—whether it’s photography, videography, or any form of media. You’re constantly measuring yourself against an impossible standard, comparing your work, skills, and work ethic to others. In the overwhelming noise of social media, it’s easy to feel like you’re always falling behind. Read More>>

Collin Parsons

A dear friend, Chris, said something profound to me, one friday night, and it forever changed my life. It’s amazing what hanging out with friends around a bonfire, while your feet are buried under the warm Southern California beach sand, looking up at the vastness of stars painted against the black night sky will do. He said, ‘No matter if I view something as a success or failure, I must always remain in gratitude. I must remain in gratitude because, either way, it is helping me grow.’ How does that even begin to relate to imposter syndrome? Don’t worry, I’ll get there eventually. Read More>>

Samantha Raj

This is actually something I plan to talk about a lot in my podcast, Cold Brew Hot Takes.

When I started my business, a million thoughts flooded my head about if I was actually good enough to succeed. I thought to myself, there’s so many other people out there who are smarter than me, more established than me, who probably have better ideas than me, and the list goes on. So I started listening to a lot of podcasts that addressed imposter syndrome and growing a new business. One thing that has stuck with me for the past year is: you can’t get to 100 if you don’t start at 1. Read More>>

Bobby Miller

Starting out teaching “Shop” as one of the younger teachers made me feel as if I were out of place to my high school students and the community in general. When I started I even had one student who mockingly called me, “Young man.” I was also typecaste as your rough and crusty “shop” teacher. During a community building event, our principal actually joked about me not being able to do a Yoga stretch. The reality was I was at least 15 years younger than him and am still a competitive athlete in many arenas. Most notably, I play goalie for a few men’s hockey leagues where goaltending requires a great deal of flexibility. Read More>>

Julie Beuerlein

I stopped waiting to feel ready and started recognizing that being ready often looks like showing up before you’re 100% sure. In the beginning, I thought everyone else had some secret formula I hadn’t unlocked yet—but I realized the real difference was confidence, not credentials. I began focusing on the results I was creating: happy clients, beautiful spaces, designs that felt both bold and deeply personal. Every project I completed became proof that I wasn’t faking it— Read More>>

Lenny Portorreal

My first real encounter with imposter syndrome came when I joined J.P. Morgan’s Finance Analyst Development Program in Delaware. It was 2008—the height of the financial crisis—and I remember feeling both incredibly lucky to have a job and completely unprepared for what came next.

I was the only immigrant Latina in a class of 50 analysts. There was one other American-born Latino, but he was more acculturated, more “at ease” in the environment. Having grown up in New York City, surrounded by a beautifully diverse community, it was jarring to suddenly find myself in a predominantly white space. Not just any space— Read More>>

Clarise Simmons

Imposter Syndrome is overcome one action at a time. The more I reach for my dreams the more I can feel like an imposter, especially when I get access to places and spaces that I don’t feel qualified for. But one thing that I remember as a Christian, is that I am here with a purpose and that is to fulfill the will of God in the earth. Once I make what I am doing about Him and not about me I overcome it! Read More>>

Alice Zealy

The definition of imposter syndrome is a psychological experience where individuals doubt their abilities and accomplishments, despite external evidence to the contrary.

Personally, I believe we all have self-doubt in different ways whether it’s in our personal lives, at work or (especially) starting and running a business. Read More>>

Michael Henry

I got certified as a Personal Trainer in 2020. Since most of the gyms were still closed due to COVID, I started out on my professional journey working for myself, and training clients at whatever outdoor locations I could find that had public access (and in all weather conditions) using whatever workout equipment could fit in a collapsible beach cart and stored in the back of a station wagon. As a lifelong gym enthusiast, I was painfully aware of the shortcomings of my circumstances… not to mention that I had (at that time) zero experience working in a fitness facility, nor any of the mentorship that I assumed came with that work environment. Read More>>

Arden Goellnicht

When we first started, imposter syndrome definitely crept in. I already knew I was passionate about wellness—tea, herbs, our connection to nature—but I still found myself questioning whether I was truly “qualified” to share it. What helped was stepping back and realizing that just because something comes naturally doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. I began to fully own what I knew and what I loved. Read More>>

Timothy Troy

I don’t think imposter syndrome is something that you overcome for good. I think it’s a continual process that ebbs and flows. Every time you try something new or find yourself in an unfamiliar situation, you’ll probably confront some degree of imposter syndrome.

For me, what I try to do is remind myself the steps I’ve taken to get to a given point. The opportunities that open up are because of choices I’ve made- sometimes they exist because I’ve had to make them for myself. That could be writing and funding my own films so I can direct them or being proactive about approaching people that I’d like to collaborate with. Read More>>

David Nudelman

This has been a journey that I still face to this day. There are several things I say to myself and ways to overcome them.

For example “What if I mess up?”

I used to be scared to speak in front of people. I thought I wasn’t good enough. But I learned confidence comes from doing it anyway, not waiting to feel ready. Read More>>

Tatyana Chistikova

Being a female cinematographer even in 2025 is not easy. As a Director of Photography you are in charge of a big team: lights camera, grip – it’s all your responsibility, and it’s all very technical. So in a way it might be easy to feel a certain imposter syndrome. But for me it turned out to have quite the opposite effect. It is exactly because it is such an objectively complicated and demanding job, that it simply washed away my possible impostor syndrome. When you know well how hard you worked to be in this position, how much you’ve learned and are still learning, how much you’ve had to overcome – Read More>>

Alyssa Carrasco

I’m still working on it, but now I have some tools to help. At first, I let my doubts hold me back from pursuing the things I’ve always wanted. As a small, bubbly girl, I sometimes worry that people won’t take me seriously. But I have a mentor who reminds me that when you know you have the experience, training, and qualifications, it doesn’t matter how anyone else perceives you. The satisfaction of a job well done is all the validation you need to prove you belong in the room. Read More>>

 Jennifer Obaze

For a long time, imposter syndrome was a constant battle for me. Living with PCOS came with its own set of challenges, unexpected weight gain, fatigue, and a struggle with self-esteem. On top of that, being body-shamed for years made me question my worth, not just as a woman but also as an artist. It made me feel like no matter how skilled I was, I still wasn’t ‘enough.’ Read More>>

Alyssa Austin

My Grandfather, Eduardo Giliberti, once told me as a child that, “The life of an artist can be a bumpy one. It’s full of ups and downs and it’s how you ride out the low periods.” As an Artist, I believe some of us sometimes question our own work. Will people understand what I’m trying to say? Will it get twisted and turned into something I never saw coming. I’m a sensitive soul and don’t always feel ready to share a story I’m working on. Read More>>

Savannah Sokol

I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome so many times on my path to where I am today, and to say I’ve ‘overcome’ it completely wouldn’t exactly be accurate. It seems, to me, that imposter syndrome is part of the territory of being a creative. It’s not only the creeping question of if I’m “good enough”, it’s also the question of if art as a whole is ‘worth’ what we’re charging. Not only are we looking at our own intrinsic worth but the intrinsic worth of our field. Every price jump and leap into a new market brings these questions out again.  Read More>>

Arielle Roth

Imposter syndrome and I have been in a long-term, on-again, off-again relationship. I wish I could say I left it in the dust years ago, but the truth is, it still sneaks up on me. The difference now? I see it for what it is – a liar, a thief, and a roadblock that I refuse to let win.

When I started my first businesses, I felt like I didn’t compare to the others or questioned why client’s would choose me over someone else. Who was I to capture someone’s wedding day, their most intimate boudoir session, or to build their company website? I’m a freelancer from a small town in Michigan.  Read More>>

Matthew Romasanta

Rest and self care is always important if you want to avoid burning out. For me, remembering that it my physical and mental health needs to be maintained in order to stay creative and productive. I like to go on bike rides, hitting a heavy bag or punching bag and walking in a park. Meditation, journaling, and good old fashioned sleep help me avoid burning out. Read More>>

Jen Sukhan

This has always been something challenging to me because I’m a type A person who loves a plan, knowing all the details and then needing to finish it no matter how hard I had to push. When I became a Mom in 2022 that all had to change because my time was no longer my own to just push through, I had a little girl who became my whole world and needed me to be the best version of my self to raise her and care for her. Read More>>

Zay Simon

I am happy to say that changing careers has helped me overcome burnout. I am the proud owner & licensed esthetician of Spoiled Skin Solutions where today I live a work life balance allowing me to focus on my family , engage in self care , travel & more. Constantly keeping a notepad in my phone & updating my calendar with work & life events to ensure my brain can keep up & organized. Dividing tasks up throughout the week and checking it off my list is one of the most productive things I have made a habit of. Read More>>

Valerie Smith

I’ve struggled with feeling burned out quite a lot since starting my photography business, to the point where I’ve considered shutting down the business multiple times. Starting a business on top of being a mom of six, homeschooling my 6 yo & 8 yo, and dealing with some chronic health problems, has really been a lot for me to manage. Read More>>