BoldJourney is all about helping our audience and community level up by learning from the experiences of others. One of the most important topics we’ve been focused on sharing insights and lessons on is confidence building and self-esteem. Below, you’ll find some brilliant entrepreneurs and creatives sharing their perspectives and advice.
Marik McGhee
I actually wasn’t always this confident (as a person and in my work) it took some time. In elementary school, I barely talked and would always keep to myself. I wasn’t really social until middle school, and from there it was like I finally opened up. Fast forward to now, I don’t stop talking and socializing with others. Read More>>
Ice Venkatesh
I developed my confidence and self-esteem through my work with Lemonade with Ice. When I first started the organization, I was nervous about speaking in front of people and reaching out for support — I was just a kid with a big dream. Read More>>
Holly Reardon
When I was in elementary school, I was confident. I tried new sports, went on amusement park rides, met new people, and climbed trees. But things shifted once I hit middle school. I became much more focused on performance and people-pleasing. I didn’t want to let anyone down or stand out too much. By high school, I had really learned how to play it safe. Read More>>
Denis Rojkovic
I built my confidence and self-esteem through boxing, fitness, and living a healthy lifestyle. Training my body and mind every day, staying disciplined, and seeing progress gave me trust in myself. The small wins added up and that’s what built real confidence. Read More>>
Elyse Conroy
How I Developed My Confidence and Self-Esteem: By Leading with Courage When people see me today – a confidence coach, career strategist, keynote speaker, and podcast host – they often assume I’ve always been this confident. But the truth is, my confidence didn’t come first. Courage did. For most of my life, I was painfully shy. Read More>>
Quasar Marshall
As cliche as it sounds, skateboarding is what taught me. When I was first introduced to skating I was 9, and if skateboarding teaches you anything it’s that nothing comes easy. Everything is earned. It takes focused time and attention towards something particular that through its process of trial and error, ultimately shows you what it’s like to feel confident in your ability. Read More>>
Nate Byrd
I credit my parents for instilling confidence and self-esteem through Biblical principles from an early age. However, stuttering began at age eight, making me feel inadequate. My parents reassured me of my worth, encouraging me with Jesus’ love. Following a mentor’s advice, I sang daily to improve fluency, and my stuttering gradually disappeared. Free to speak, I matured into a confident young man. Read More>>
Staci Gibbs
I grew up moving almost every two years, which meant I was constantly the “new kid.” At first, it was overwhelming — new schools, new faces, and no built-in safety net. But over time, I realized those challenges were actually my training ground. Each move forced me to adapt quickly, find my footing, and connect with people from scratch. Read More>>
Saikou Toure
Keep going.’ At the end of the day; it’s about your progress and reflecting on it……. Overcoming doubts while staying determined is key to achieving what you desire. ‘Quitting is easy…..’ Being persistent and getting back up after failing is what separates success from failure and also those who want it from those who don’t. Read More>>
Jason Boykins jr
Confidence has always been a part of me. From a young age, it was instilled in me by my family — passed down from my great-grandparents, through my parents, to my siblings. Confidence, self-esteem, and pride in who we are wasn’t just encouraged, it was expected. It was the soil my family tree was rooted in. But here’s the truth: confidence is not permanent. Read More>>
Brittany Axelson
Practice and education. You’re never going to be good at something the first time. I had to come to terms with that and just muscle through the awkward feeling of being bad at something until I wasn’t anymore. I’ve really come to love the sentiment, “Just make it exist first. Then make it good”. Read More>>
Alisha S
For me, over time. With every project came a new task, a new obstacle, and a new skill, which slowly presented the evidence for me to feel confident. I approached every job like an opportunity to learn and grow, and my focus was on doing the best I could at that moment. Read More>>
Gabriela Gonzalez
Being confident means you know who you are. In addition to this, it also means you have some sort of security and trust in something or someone. A big part of confidence and self-esteem is rooting your identity in something unshakable. For me, I root who I am on Scripture. I believe who God says I am. I believe God does not make mistakes. Read More>>
Hannah Ray
I am very prideful when it comes to confidence and self-esteem. I’d say as a business owner, I’ve really tapped into this aspect of myself. When I first started, I was uneasy as any new business owner would be. As time went on, though, I realized that standing firm in your knowledge and skill set is what makes your mark in the business world. Read More>>
Josh Wendt
Building confidence and self-esteem is a journey every creator faces, and at Zero Dark, we’ve embraced that challenge through YouTube and Twitch content creation. Confidence in front of the camera doesn’t come overnight—it takes consistent practice, learning from mistakes, and building trust with your audience. Read More>>
JAVOSSKI REMBERT
My confidence and self-esteem come from real-life experiences. After surviving a car accident that could have left me lifeless or paralyzed; having gratitude for my life is what helped build my confidence and self-esteem. The fact that God wasn’t finished with my life made me more confident. I realized, it wasn’t my time, and I still had work to do. Read More>>
Jay Plush
I definitely believe that practice makes perfect. I pour into myself and feed the things that I like about myself. I was raised in a nurturing home with a lot of reassurance, so I was a confident child and I think that confidence and self-assurance has always stayed with me. Read More>>
Darren Hawkins
I developed my confidence and self-esteem by embracing my own abilities and learning to love myself without comparison. I’ve found peace in staying in my own lane, moving at the pace meant for me, and trusting the process. Prayer keeps me centered, guiding me to put my best foot forward no matter the circumstance. Read More>>
Ingrid Quigg Norris
As a child, I was very shy and introverted. I had a few close friends, but I wasn’t the type to join clubs or organizations, so I mostly kept to myself. After graduating from college, I began working as a Recreation Specialist with a local Parks and Recreation Department. Through play, I discovered how to connect with others while developing valuable communication and relationship skills. Read More>>
Carson Holmes
I developed my confidence and self-esteem through years of self-discovery, change, and reflection. For me, it wasn’t something that happened overnight – it was built slowly, through moments of loss, transition, and growth. I went through seasons where I had to let go of friendships, move physically to new places, and sit with the discomfort of starting over. Read More>>
Bunga Vidanska
For me, confidence and self-esteem didn’t arrive overnight — they’ve been built slowly, through both pain and practice. Growing up, I was often told that choosing an artistic or creative path wasn’t a “real” career. And even as a child, I was bullied for being bold and different. Those experiences planted seeds of doubt in me that took years to unlearn. Read More>>
Christian Marin Diaz
My confidence didn’t come from scoring goals as a kid—it came from surviving tough situations. At the Málaga CF Youth Academy (Cadete and Juvenil), I was playing at a high level, but at age 16 I suffered a serious injury. Read More>>
Poetra Asantewa
I built my confidence by doing. From early on I noticed that how I performed in private and how I performed in front of others were two very different things. The presence of an audience always brought nerves, sometimes even anxiety. But I also realized that whenever I pushed myself to act in spite of that fear, I came out stronger. Read More>>
