Champion Mindset: Building Confidence & Self-Esteem

Every day, our team is focused on how to help our audience and community reach their full potential in every part of their lives – personal and professional. Building confidence and self-esteem is one of the most essential requirements for success and below we’ve presented some of the conversations we’ve had around how to build confidence.

Keira Curtis

To develop my self confidence and self esteem, I had to learn and cultivate 3 lessons. How to love myself, how to respect myself, and how to know/understand my worth. The first lesson was the hardest, but it opened the door for me to be able to embark on the journey to setting myself free of the expectations of others and build a life I can be proud of. Read more>>

E.m. Wylde

My confidence and self-esteem is rooted in two things. One being a hold-over of the arrogance of my youth. The sense that “if he can do it, I can do it” or, “if I work hard enough, I can do anything.” Now, after years of risk-taking and mistake-making (I’m trying not to use the word failing), I’ve come to learn that neither of these sentiments are true. But if you have a growth-mindset and learn from your mistakes, you will ultimately be successful at some things. Latching on to those successes is what has made me more confident and self-assured in life. Read more>> 

Guitarist Jennale Adams

Music has always been my source of confidence. My love for music gave me the emotional and stimulating outlet that I needed to feel confident in myself. practicing my guitar made me feel unique. I started at the age of 10 and I decided at the age of 15 I wanted to be a full-time musician. I first discovered my love from music when I was put in my junior high school band. It was my first serious introduction to music performance. It taught me the importance of musicianship. Music gave me the tools to shape my identity and it gave me the drive to fulfill my dreams. Music gave me the creative freedom I couldn’t find in a classroom. Read more>>

Elle Jauffret

First, I acknowledged my strengths and weaknesses so I could improve myself and my craft (I was very good at narration and description but needed to improve my dialogue—especially colloquialisms). I developed my skills by attending writers’ conferences and webinars on the craft of writing. Being a writer means being a constant learner. Read more>>

Confidence and self-esteem are earned, learned, and won. They also require a tremendous amount of perseverance and self-reflection. Until you’ve faced adversity and challenges towards your goals, you might not know what pure confidence and healthy self-esteem look like. For me, personally, I’ve faced challenges having my peers not like my music, my taste, or thought I was aiming way too high in what I wanted to achieve. I can definitely recall some moments in college where every time I thought I was getting to that next level of what I wanted to do, someone would say something to me like, eh it could be better, or why don’t you do this or that instead. Read more>>

Adam Mr Parson

I think confidence and self esteem are an ongoing development. A lot of the development came from watching my mother sing. When she sang, her heart was open. Observing that as a young kid put me in awe of her, and what confidence and self esteem looked like. My father was a race car drive in Africa. It goes without saying the confidence and self esteem to navigate the treacherous dips and curves of a dirt road at speeds over 90mph doesnt get overlooked. I was mesmerized by my father and how he braved this competition. Read more>>

Camila Cardona

Dance has been a significant part of my life since I was five years old. Exploring different styles taught me discipline, creativity, and the value of self-expression, laying a strong foundation for my early confidence. Later, my confidence grew even more when I lived abroad for the first time, working in Mexico at age 21. This new environment challenged me to adapt quickly, step outside my comfort zone, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds. The experience taught me resilience, independence, and how to trust my abilities-qualities that continue to support my personal and professional growth. Together, these experiences have truly shaped who I am today, both on stage and off. Read more>>

Ca Humer

I have been blessed with a variety of talents. As a child I was terribly shy. My mother enrolled me in dance classes at three, hoping it would help me gain confidence. She would compliment me after a performance and tell me all the wonderful things people said about me. Then she’d turn to me as say, “but don’t let your head get too big.” Wow! How’s that for a punch to the gut? Direct hit to confidence and self-esteem. I believe as I grew up, this caused me to evaluate everything people said and analyze my own actions. I became a student of human nature, seeking a deeper understanding of others and myself. Read more>>

Bridgette Yang

A lot of my confidence comes from surrounding myself with great people. I have very high standards for friendships, which has allowed me to cultivate a support system that not only reminds me of my worth but also pushes my potential. They believe in me even when I don’t believe in myself. They call me out on my mistakes and make me a better person. My entire support system is a web of beautiful evidence that I positively impact lives and can tell great stories. Read more>>

Ashley Porter

I developed my confidence and self-esteem during my years of college. my entire life I’ve always was very insecure about my height shape size of a dark skin little girl. I didn’t understand why I was so tall, my shade of brown was so dark. My features didn’t look like other girls during my grade school years, I really suffered with low self-esteem. Once I got to college and I started seeing more females my height, my size I felt more confident in knowing that I wasn’t the only one that either felt the same way I felt or was viewed how I was viewed.  Read more>>

Morgan Fay

Dance, in particular, Raqs Sharqi and Fusion Bellydance, helped me develop my confidence and self-esteem when I was an unconfident teenager. I decided to attend a Bellydance class to try something that no one thought I would do, as a shy, introverted person. I quickly found myself surrounded by a group of independent, strong women, with a passion for art, culture, and music, who created a community and an example for me for who I wanted to become.  Read more>>

Joe T. Johnson

I started making music and writing my songs at the age of sixteen. I enjoyed writing songs and being part of my local music community building my own identity and working hard on writing songs and performing. I would regularly perform my songs at local gig nights and I liked to watch gigs and observe other musicians and performers, this helped my self-esteem and confidence grow. Read more>>

Jiaqi Chen

I believe confidence isn’t something we’re born with; it’s something we develop over time. Growing up, everyone faces some form of pressure or adversity, and it’s often these experiences that make us more self-conscious or unsure of ourselves. There’s also a natural desire in all of us to be recognized or validated, which can highlight insecurities and moments of self-doubt. As an actor, confidence is especially crucial. You need to trust yourself and your interpretation of a character, because only then can you communicate it authentically to the audience. If you lack confidence, it becomes difficult for others to connect with your performance. But at the same time, being perceptive and sensitive is both a gift and a challenge. It’s easy to get caught up in overthinking, which can lead to stress and self-doubt. Read more>>

Elizabeth Covington

This is actually something I have struggled with my whole life. I feel like we all struggle with self esteem, especially when we have society and different influencers telling us how we should be. Growing up I always wanted to be different and I struggled for years on finding my purpose. Read more>>

Jola Cruise

My journey to confidence and self-esteem was a long road shaped by significant personal challenges and growth. Early in my marriage, I felt secure and fulfilled. My husband and I built a business together, and I thrived on his affirmations and gratitude. However, as life became more demanding with the arrival of our children and the shift in our work responsibilities, my confidence started to waver. I found myself lost, struggling with resentment, and constantly feeling inadequate. Read more>>

Kayla Gray

While this is certainly a lifelong practice, my confidence and self-esteem have come a long way in the past few years. Building a business requires you to face a lot of insecurities — ‘Am I doing this right? Am I doing enough? That person is doing the same thing but better, why don’t I have the same results as them?’ It is a very difficult journey, but on the other side is so much goodness! Read more>>

Kathleen Boocks

My journey to develop confidence and self-esteem was over many years. Though it may sound cliche, I truly believe you have to ‘fake it until you make it’ when it comes to building confidence and self-esteem. I’ve also learned that though your inner self may be working against you, you have to put faith in your vision and abilities or you will never grow! Read more>>

Monique Wells

Growing up I was always a little bigger than the other kids. I was taller until around the 5th or 6th grade. I started gaining weight around the 2nd or 3rd grade. I was bullied because my hair hung past my waist. The other kids always asked me what I was mixed with, I would tell them nothing that I was black like them. Seeing Queen Latifah growing up and being a plus-size woman and full of confidence knowing who she was helped me. My mother always told me if you don’t think no one else will. I have always known I was a superstar and destined for fame.  Read more>>

Lauren Lajas

Super simple: i honestly don’t care! No really. I have learned to not let the opinions of others dictate how i feel about myself. I only allow a certain amount of energy to combat the negativity that comes my way, and quite frankly, I’d rather devote that energy inward, always working on the relationship i have with myself. How i talk to myself. How i perceive myself. After all that, very little room is left to worry about what someone else thinks. I have gained weight. I have lost weight. I have had curly hair. I have had straight hair. I’m too loud for some and too quiet for others. Every time, someone always had something to say. Read more>>

Eileen Hayman

Developing confidence and self-esteem is something I’m genuinely passionate about discussing, especially because it’s a journey many of us go through. Like most people, I experienced phases of insecurity and often found myself comparing my accomplishments or appearance to others. I learned over time that this mindset can be a huge setback, and it’s a habit we all need to unlearn. My biggest piece of advice is never to compare yourself to others—whether it’s about looks, achievements, or lifestyle.  Read more>>

Ariana Cohen

This is a good question! Having confidence in yourself is so important because when you feel confident, everyone else around you will feel that same energy. Confidence and self-esteem are often built over time through a mix of self-awareness, small victories, and sometimes, even setbacks. It can be very difficult to maintain a high self-esteem, especially for women, when we see almost perfect curated people on social media living “perfect” lives. Read more>>

Melissa Mosquera

Developing my confidence and self-esteem is definitely a work in progress. When I was in my early twenties, a lot of the decisions I made were influenced by others and my environment—and not in a good way. I wanted to fit into a mold that wasn’t necessarily for me, and that’s normal because you’re in that “mess-up age.” Thanks to all those experiences, I started to know myself on a deeper level, and something magical happened: I realized I really like who I am. I began the journey of loving myself and doing things for me, not to please others. Read more>>

Jasmine Whisonant

Growing up, especially having undiagnosed autism, my self esteem was buried deep in the ground. I could never put my finger on why my internal echo was set to a replay of, “Jasmine you’re not like everyone else, try to fit in. It wasn’t until what I call my “post college adulthood” that my confidence began to materialize. I was still so young and under supported after graduating that my adulthood then was actually codependent in nature. However, a few years after, I finally stopped playing the role to fit in the box and instead believed that I could actually thrive more genuinely outside of the box! Read more>>

Susy Siddens

My confidence comes from trusting my intuition. It took many years for me to recognize that my intuition was worth trusting, but the moment I did, everything changed for the better. Trusting my intuition and having a positive self-esteem comes from years of taking the time to get to know myself, which in my opinion, is the most essential skill you can learn. Read more>>

Feyisayo Anjorin

In my younger years I was indeed on a quest to be loved and accepted.
However I realised in life that it is better not to be too bothered by the desire to be loved. I grew up in a home where my siblings and parents helped in building that environment of love; and from there I knew that one can freely be oneself and be loved, despite my flaws and inadequacies I knew that there is still love for me. I knew that I didn’t have to be perfect to be loved, so this helped my self-esteem such that my quest for love did not result in the burden of becoming someone else or something other than my real essence.  Read more>>

Ritu Gupta

Confidence starts with knowing and accepting yourself. Recognizing my strengths and acknowledging my weaknesses have enabled me to be more comfortable with who I am. I like to start my day with positive affirmations, like “I am capable” or “I deserve success,” which helps me to focus on what I can do instead of what I cannot.
I believe in setting small and achievable goals. Each time I meet a goal, my belief in myself strengthens, which leads to greater self-esteem. For instance, If I am facing something big or overwhelming, I try break it down into smaller tasks.  Read more>>

Ilan Shamir

Having Core Purpose: Finding the unique way I could combine my talents in business/marketing and love of nature was a persistent process of exploration and discovery. An important part was discerning what wasn’t my path or purpose. While it was great to be creating products, promotions and marketing for high profile companies such as 7UP – The Uncola and for Willy Wonka Candy it lacked doing something that was consistent with my values of caring for the earth and creating products that touched people’s hearts.  Read more>>

Christine Soussa

Once a child takes their first steps, they are on their way. Regardless of how wobbly, unstable, or unsteady they may be, they intuitively acknowledge that they are learning something new and believe in their ability. They never stop trying, progressing with confidence and improving with each step. Somewhere along the way, unfortunately, we lose this natural belief in oneself. Let’s remember that within each of us is the ability to accomplish what you seek. This takes perseverance, commitment, joy and grit – nothing comes easy – growth can be uncomfortable – it’s called growing pains for a reason. Everything has a process. Read more>>

Nathaniel Wellen

Like all of us, I’m a work-in-progress, but I’ve learned that with enough dedication, there’s virtually no obstacle that can stand in your way. My story began at age seven. I was living in Atlanta; it was raining cats and dogs; my father and I were struggling to stay dry under a tiny, flimsy canopy; and it was clear we needed a better umbrella. What if there were a second, adjustable handle so two people of different heights could easily share an umbrella? I thought. My dad, an entrepreneur himself, helped me build a variety of prototypes and even secured a patent for the product. Read more>>

Brittanie Braggs

I love questions like this because I wish everyone shared my perspective on the topic. First and foremost, it’s crucial to believe in yourself and understand the value you offer. You need to walk into a room with confidence, holding your head high, and truly knowing your expertise—embracing the idea that you are “that girl.” Read more>>

Tori Fields

For me, confidence has been a journey of both self-discovery and dedication. One guiding belief is that self-esteem comes from esteemable acts—healing myself, helping others, and committing to practices that strengthen me from the inside out. Practicing yoga and working out consistently has been essential; pushing my physical body, overcoming limits, and staying committed to this journey have been transformative. These practices remind me daily of my strength and resilience, instilling confidence that I carry into every part of my life. Read more>>

Kenneth Allen

I created my confident dance by doing a lot of TFP shoots with friends families, and just random models that help me build my portfolio, but what really brought me to the next level was attending photography conference on where I was able to hear and even work with some of the best photographers in the world. Read more>>

Vicky Shea

It was not easy. Being the youngest of 7 kids with parents with low self-esteem, it only trickled down. I was never told in high school, by anyone, that I could go to college or that I had much of a future. My art teacher in high school, however, helped my self esteem and made me believe art was my calling. My dad told me I could be anything I wanted as long as I worked hard and stayed focused. Read more>>

Kellen Lee

MY CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM COME FROM MY MOTHER. FROM AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER, SHE’S ALWAYS TOLD ME HOW BEAUTIFUL I AM, HOW BEAUTIFUL MY SKIN TONE IS, HOW TALENTED I AM, HOW I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT TO IF I SET MY MIND TO IT, AND HOW PHENOMENAL I AM. I GREW UP HAVING HER POUR LIFE INTO ME AND BOOST MY SELF-ETEEM, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAID. AND I’VE HEARD A LOT REGARDING BEING “PRETTY FOR MY SKIN COLOR”, WHICH IS NOT A COMPLIMENT I’VE REALIZED BECAUSE I’M BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT. Read more>>

Johnny Lee Stewart

I am the youngest of four children, which could have influenced my personality and sense of self in many ways. My mom and dad did a wonderful job cultivating an environment of support and celebration for all of us. We had to attend each other’s track meets, dance recitals, tennis matches, band concerts, and more. Let me tell you, it’s nearly impossible to lack confidence or self-esteem when you have a cheering squad behind you at every endeavor. Beyond this foundation, I believe confidence and self-esteem are mostly developed behind the scenes. When I know I’ve done my very best, prepared thoroughly, and presented my project with passion, the outcome is out of my hands. “Let go and let God” gives me the freedom to enjoy every moment without the undue pressure of focusing on my ‘self.’ Read more>>

Jordan Birnbaum

I love this question because it is far more complicated than it appears. In my experience, feeling confidence and being confident are not at all the same thing. In fact, I believe that some of my strongest feelings of confidence were in response to some of my strongest feelings of insecurity. For most of my career, I felt extremely confident, and it helped me to take risks, enjoy some major successes, and have more adventures than I ever could have imagined. Read more>>