Bold Journey 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.

Breanna Sorensen

For myself, confidence and self-esteem is based on a few different factors. As a sports reporter, I’m confident when I know I have prepared for a game or tournament to the best of my ability. To deliver the information on live television in a confident manner, I have to be positive that the information that I’m delivering is indeed “facts”. This comes with over-preparing for each broadcast in order to relay information with confidence.  Read More>>

Tammy Takaishi

Confidence and self-esteem developed easier in some areas of my life than in others due to a myriad of factors. In my career as a board certified-music therapist I was fortunate to have educators and mentors who helped me develop my skills and talents in such a nurturing way that the confidence and self-esteem blossomed in ways I never expected. I wouldn’t be the person I am in this field without a few particular amazing people. Read More>>

Heidi Weinberg

I like to think of confidence and self-esteem as muscles, not traits you’re born with. The more you work them, the stronger they get. And like any workout, it’s uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and occasionally full of awkward missteps. But that’s the point.

I’ve intentionally put myself in situations that stretched me. Pitching clients I was terrified to reach out to, raising my rates even when I second-guessed my value, teaching live webinars before I felt “ready.” Spoiler: I wasn’t ready. But I did it anyway. Each time, that confidence muscle grew just a little stronger. Read More>>

Kimberly Hogate

This past year has been an important practice in boundary setting. Finally, I realized that no one was going to look out for me – more than me. It sounds cryptic or maybe a little sad, but it’s totally the opposite.

I was doing too many things for too many people for too long. And one day, I really, really had had enough. Maybe this is the 40-year-old in me, but I was really tired of being under and devalued by clients (and my family – even though I love them so much and they didn’t realize fully they were doing it). Read More>>

Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl

Growing up, my mother often reminded me to “Feel the fear but do it anyway.” She understood that confidence isn’t something we’re born with—it’s something we build. Her encouragement helped me learn that stepping outside my comfort zone was part of developing a strong sense of self and discovering who I truly am. She nurtured my creativity and helped me embrace not only my uniqueness, but the differences in others as well. Over time, I began to shape a career that reflected my strengths, values, and individuality. Read More>>

DeLores Pressley

Confidence didn’t come to me overnight, it was a journey shaped by every chapter of my life. I started out as an elementary school teacher, where I first learned the importance of nurturing potential in others. But it wasn’t until I stepped into the world of plus-size modeling that I truly began to understand and embody self-confidence. Founding one of the first plus-size model agencies in the United States wasn’t just groundbreaking, it was deeply personal. In an industry that often overlooked women who looked like me, I had to learn how to stand tall, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Read More>>

Zen Sonora

Building my confidence has been a deeply personal journey. I spent a lot of time looking inward—learning to love and understand myself on a deeper level. In a world that often emphasizes one ideal look, it’s easy to forget that there’s power in embracing your unique beauty. I’ve come to know my body, what works for me, and that self-awareness has led to incredible results Read More>>

Frida Cossio

I developed my confidence and self-esteem through a mix of challenge, curiosity, and learning to trust myself. Growing up between Mexico and the U.S., I had to navigate a lot on my own—new schools, new friends, new cultures. It was especially hard in middle school, which is such a formative time. I felt like I didn’t fully fit in anywhere. I was a mix of both cultures, and being “different” was the last thing any new teenager wanted to be. Read More>>

Kelly DIFFIE

My confidence and self-esteem stem from a lot of struggles over the years. With each new struggle I have encountered, I have learned new ways to overcome them. I am not a motivated individual. I am a DISCIPLINED individual. Motivation waxes and wanes, some days a person can feel extremely motivated, on other days they can feel not so motivated and that can all be influenced by external factors. Discipline is ever present. It does not come and go, it is something that is just there. Read More>>

Glory!

I built my self-esteem and confidence through trials and tribulations — and I’m not just saying that. Growing up, I was overweight — fat as hell — but one thing I always had was energy. That energy never left me. When I started losing weight, I began to feel better about myself. Then music came into my life, and over time, it helped me find my voice and my confidence. It takes real self-belief to step on a stage, to put your art out into the world. Read More>>

Elizabeth Paige

I believe that, for me, confidence and self-esteem will be a constant journey of leveling up. When it comes to my work behind the chair, I think we get to a point where there has been enough knowledge and skill built to know that whoever sits in your chair will leave feeling better than when they came in. That hasn’t always been the case, but with each client comes a new experience—to either try something new or perfect your current craft. Read More>>

Alajie Jaiteh

My confidence come from my trust within myself as an artist to create something worth the time and effort. That faith in my own skills and my openness to continue to grow and learn , putting myself out there and letting the passion for art takeover. Read More>>

Katrina Machado

Confidence and self-esteem didn’t come to me overnight, they were built over time through experience, self-reflection, and a lot of trial and error. I started by recognizing the small wins and allowing myself to feel proud of them, rather than brushing them off. I also made a conscious effort to surround myself with people who uplift and challenge me, which helped me see my strengths more clearly. Read More>>

Kiara Hargrove

I would say I really began developing confidence and self-esteem in elementary school. When I was in 5th grade, my teacher—who was also my basketball coach—encouraged me to believe in myself. In the earlier grades of grammar school, I noticed that I didn’t have much confidence. This teacher gave me a “confidence bracelet” to wear and even had me recite confidence quotes aloud. My mom also supported me, working alongside my teacher to help build my self-esteem. Read More>>

Krystal

When I reflect on my confidence and self-esteem, I recognize that much of it was shaped during my upbringing. As a child, I was incredibly outgoing, always eager to be involved in everything and anything that caught my interest. Whether it was school plays, sports, or neighborhood projects, I thrived in social settings and loved the attention. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more introspective and reserved. Read More>>

Leigha Wickham

It took time to build self-esteem and truly make it a part of my daily life. Confidence followed once I recognized and embraced my personal power. My mother says I’m pretty, hahahaha.

Both self-esteem and confidence are learned behaviors. Growing up, my role models didn’t embody either—but they did have optimism and a sense of humor, even if it was often self-defeating. Read More>>

Blaze Grozzi

Confidence is always an essential part of everything. Whether that is music, public speaking, relationships, or anything else, confidence really is key. Of course this is something so much easier said than done, but the only way to try it out for the first time… takes a little confidence. Ironic! But in all seriousness, being confident is actually a lot easier than you think. I learned this through my music creation journey, and it’s something I’d love to encourage others with in their journey. Read More>>

KELLIE TAYLOR

Yikes. I was adopted at 2 weeks by older parents who never tried to hide the fact that I was. So, one of my first memories was Kindergarten, telling adults “my fun fact about myself” and realizing that the adults were surprised that this 5-year-old with a speech impediment was nonchalantly explaining adoption. Read More>> 

Abhinav Gopisetty

I developed my confidence and self-esteem through a mix of deep inner work and consistent action. It didn’t happen all at once. I had to start by recognizing the negative patterns, like dismissing my own wins or comparing myself to others.

Therapy, mindset coaching, and journaling helped me understand the roots of my insecurities. But the real growth came from doing the things that scared me. I reached out to people I admired. I spoke up even when I doubted myself. Read More>>

Melonie McEver

Over the years, I have cultivated my self-esteem and confidence through a combination of personal experiences and professional development. As a master photographer with over 20 years of experience in fashion styling and body image confidence, I have learned to see beauty in diverse forms. Working closely with my clients, I focus on helping them overcome insecurities and embrace their uniqueness, which in turn reinforces my own confidence. The process of creating captivating images allows me to appreciate my craft and the positive impact it has on others, fostering a sense of pride and self-worth. Read More>>

Sequoia Schmidt

I grew up in an adventurous family; my father was a high-altitude mountain guide, so a deep love and respect for nature were instilled in me from an early age. That upbringing inspired a lifelong passion for climbing big mountains, exploring remote places, BASE jumping, and spending time in the wilderness.

These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of who I am and built a strong sense of trust in my own decision-making. As an entrepreneur, that trust is essential. The confidence I’ve developed in my abilities stems largely from the time I’ve spent in nature, pushing my limits. Read More>>

Kevin Stone

It’s been a combination of personal growth and professional experience. I’ve spent over 30 years performing in front of live audiences across the globe, and that kind of exposure teaches you a lot—not just about your craft, but about yourself. With every performance, I’ve learned to trust my instincts, stay grounded under pressure, and connect with people in real time. That consistency builds confidence. I know the value I bring because I’ve refined it over decades, through both challenges and breakthroughs. Read More>>

Irina Ovchinnikov

Confidence and self-esteem didn’t come overnight for me—they developed slowly, through experience and persistence. As an immigrant starting over in a new country, I faced a lot of uncertainty. There were language barriers, cultural differences, and many moments where I felt like I had to constantly prove myself. But each challenge became an opportunity to grow stronger.

My confidence really started to build once I leaned into what I love—photography. Capturing authentic, emotional moments for others reminded me of my own voice and vision. The more I connected with clients and saw the impact my work had on their lives, the more I began to trust my instincts. Read More>>

Isa Ingebrigtsen

I grew all my self esteem and confidence through my husband. The way he’s sees me made me believe in myself in a way that I’ didn’t see myself before. He’s always there for me, lifting me up and making me want to be better. Not for anyone else, just for myself. He doesn’t make me feel like I have anything to prove, he just loves me for who I am and it makes me feel like I can be myself. Read More>>

Jonathan & Catalina Cadiz

We developed our decision-making skills by building a strong foundation of trust, shared values, and complementary strengths. As partners in both life and business, we’ve faced many situations where clarity, communication, and intuition made all the difference. Over time, we learned to lean on each other’s perspectives—one of us may analyze details deeply, while the other sees the bigger picture. We reflect often, we’re not afraid to make bold moves, and most importantly, we make decisions anchored in purpose, not fear.  Read More>>