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.
Miranda Keeler
Experiences and relationships throughout childhood, teen years, and early adulthood absolutely shaped my way of thinking, how I saw myself, and impacted the way I view the world. These interactions throughout my life I still carry with me – some have planted those little seeds of doubt along the way and others have helped me rise to the occasion and opportunity. Th se little seeds were comments people made and many times in life I have heard “you can’t do that” or “that’s impossible”. Not really a positive reinforcement or supportive feeling, right? Well for some odd reason, I always thought that was a challenge and I don’t handle being ‘challenged’ very well (LOL). These comments have aided into my own personal version of imposter syndrome, which was once a very foreign concept to me now lives with me daily. Read more>>
Anika Dauber
When I first started selling my jewelry, I sold myself short a lot. I felt as though “basic” pieces, such as plain crystal studs or single-layer necklaces, weren’t creative or unique enough to count as art. As a result, I overcomplicated most of my designs, hardly offering any alternative simpler alternatives. The few I did offer were incredibly underpriced. Customers often remarked that they wished I had lighter earrings options, so I tested a few basic designs. Not only did they become best sellers, but people would still pick them up at my booth and ask “did you make that?” with awe. Read more>>
Amber Morgan
Imposter syndrome is such a normal thing that most of us have at various points in our lives and careers. And it’s completely okay to have these feelings; they don’t make you any less talented or deserving. It’s all part of the human experience. I just want to recognize and acknowledge that. Read more>>
Stephanie Hull
I’m not sure you ever get over imposter syndrome. You learn how to tell yourself why you belong where you are. It has taken many years to feel confident in myself and my skills. I have worked hard and feel it is ok to celebrate that. Read more>>
Kyle J Hartman
I’ve talked about this a lot because it’s something that we all face and knowing this is actually one of the first steps to overcoming imposter syndrome. You have to recognize that even the really great composers and artists like Hans Zimmer and John Williams and plenty of folks in the upper echelons of this industry face a similar fear of the blank page. Hans says “I have no idea how to do your movie, it’s always a blank piece of paper.” Maestro Williams expresses similar sentiments when he reminds young composers that this is not magic. It takes work. Read more>>
Bad Guy Ocean
Actually to be honest, I don’t think I will ever overcome it permanently. However I have learned to manage the feelings that come with imposter syndrome. A part of me feels like those feelings also come from being humble and thankful. I also believe some of the feelings/thoughts that come from “I.S.” are just natural human feelings we all feel, have felt, and will continue to. Instead of trying to focus on “overcoming” or “curing” it. I’d rather learn how to manage it cause at the end of the day. It’s hard to control natural human feelings. Read more>>
Mark King
When I first embarked on the journey to build King Design Solutions, the excitement of starting a business was overshadowed by the nagging doubt of imposter syndrome. Despite having years of professional experience and a solid educational background in information technology, I constantly questioned whether I had what it took to create a successful company. The inner voice that often whispered, “Are you really good enough?” became louder with every new project or pitch to a client. It was challenging to reconcile my qualifications and achievements with the feeling that I might not deserve my success. Recognizing that these feelings were a form of imposter syndrome was the first step toward addressing them. Read more>>
Briieazy
I never dealt with imposter syndrome until I lost my brother unexpectedly 3 years ago. It was a very unfamiliar feeling, and it was hard to explain to the people around me what it felt like. I made a vow to myself that I was going to grieve by doing things related to personal development. It was my fear to allow grief to consume me and stop my life. I don’t want to paint a picture as if I didn’t cry or have emotional days where I felt like giving up, however there was a choice made & I didn’t want to disappoint myself. Some of the things I relied on the most was my faith, the love I have for my children, the spirit and charisma my brother had, and lastly the craving to be more than my environment. To be transparent I believe you can overcome anything, but you will always have moments that come up where you will be reminded how you felt when you were overcoming a specific obstacle! Read more>>
Chelsea Fishman
To be honest, it’s something I’m still working on. When I decided to pursue my dream of opening a bar dedicated to women’s sports, I knew I was stepping into uncharted territory—not just for myself, but for the industry as a whole. Women’s sports bars are a relatively new and emerging concept, and there’s nothing like this in the Southeast. Read more>>
Stasie Page Nancy Rodas
Stasie Page: Honestly, imposter syndrome has been a constant companion throughout my journey, especially as we launched SOAR Mentors. Starting something so personal and meaningful makes you question if you’re really the right person to take it on. I’d catch myself wondering, “What if I’m not enough?” But every time I worked with a student, every time I saw a spark of understanding or growth, it was a reminder that this isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up and making a difference. What really helped was grounding myself in my experience and remembering that I’ve spent over 25 years helping young people navigate their challenges. I realized those years weren’t just preparation—they were proof that I could do this. Read more>>
David Warner
As any artist will tell you, it is very easy to be extremely critical of our own work and wish it was “better”. The easiest way I’ve found to overcome Impostor Syndrome is to not compare myself or my art to others. Sure, I try to stay abreast of what others are doing and the latest trends and techniques that are out there, but I’ve learned to be content with the work that I produce. Read more>>
Matt Eyles
When I was a freshman in high school, I was invited to the Philadelphia International Music Festival for piano performance, hosted at Bryn Mawr college. I had been playing classical piano for almost 10 years at the time, and had developed a confidence in my abilities that gave me the assuredness to attend the program. It was a weeklong intensive, with musicians around the world being invited and famous pianists hired as the faculty. From the minute I arrived on campus and walked past a few practice rooms to get to the registration desk, my imposter syndrome went through the roof. These kids were far more technically advanced than I was, playing pieces that were noticeably above my level. All of a sudden, I went from a big fish in a small pond to a big fish in a shark tank. Read more>>
Fabiana Aparicio
I feel like everyone at some point experiment impostor syndrome. Part of that comes from us wanting to be perfect at what we are doing, and it also comes from the fear of failure, of not filling someone’s expectations, or even our own. Maybe even from comparing ourselves to others in the same field. Read more>>
Janelle Marmo
I was asked to sing the National Anthem for seven years in a row—and I forgot the words six out of those seven times. As a kid, I suffered from debilitating stage fright. Despite my terror, every year I held onto the hope that I could be great. Deep down, I knew greatness was there, just waiting to emerge. Read more>>
Shavonne Potts
Overcoming imposter syndrome wasn’t a single moment for me — it was a journey of learning to trust myself and my unique path. A defining moment was realizing that success isn’t about following someone else’s blueprint; it’s about creating my own. For so long, I looked at others and thought I needed to replicate their path to find success. But once I understood that I am the blueprint — that my story, my struggles, and my perspective are my superpowers — I stopped second-guessing myself. Read more>>
E.k. Condos
If you ask any independent author what is at the top of their mind every morning when they wake up, I would bet good money they would say imposter syndrome–and I am no different. It is a constant battle we deal with, especially in the age of social media where most people only share their highest highs and never the lows. What if no one reads my book? What if my page reads aren’t as high as other authors in my genre? Will I be taken seriously because I decided not to go the traditional route? Will my characters resonate with other people? Will their flaws–that are usually our own flaws–be seen as weak? Read more>>
Valerie Sizemore
Imposter syndrome hit me hard when I first began dreaming up Femme Rising. I am not a lifelong martial artist or a seasoned competitor, and I do not fit the traditional mold of someone starting a jiu jitsu gym. For a long time, I questioned whether I was “qualified” to create this space for women, especially in a male-dominated industry. I had to face the nagging voice in my head that whispered, Who are you to do this? Read more>>
Amy Dordek Dolinsky
So many powerful and senior women still have imposter syndrome as did I when I was younger. It’s really a shame as we women need to trust in our abilities more. I have been an entrepreneur most of my career taking risks at an early age and going into business with partners. Early in my career I worked with two great women who didn’t seem to have imposter syndrome and I thought maybe it’s because they are experts in their field, they just know their stuff. Then I went to work for several men and I looked to them to learn and gain experience. Somewhere along the way I realized that they didn’t have all of the answers even though they were significantly older than me. I made some decisions that I might change now looking back. Read more>>
Trilety Wade
I’d always considered myself a writer, even as a kid when I’d write short stories or staple up a breaking edition of the Barone Bugle – an image from the Bugle is included in my photos. (Barone was the last name of my second stepdad). Even at 19, as I tapped away on my word processor, I knew I wanted to write and referred to myself as a writer. I didn’t have imposter syndrome then, and I didn’t have imposter syndrome when I graduated from college with a history degree or when I switched tracks and went into environmental regulatory work. But when I received a letter of rejection in the mail after finally applying to the graduate program for writing at our local university, that is when the insidiousness of imposter syndrome took its quiet and destructive hold on me. Read more>>
Ben Livingston
I never truly got over imposter syndrome—I just invited it to dinner. Over time, I realized it’s less a personal flaw and more a reflection of a Western culture obsessed with competition and originality, where the endless game of comparison breeds deep insecurity. But here’s the paradox: at the end of the day, no one is an imposter, and yet we all are. Each of us crafts our identity through a singular, uniquely human act of counterfeiting—an original invention made of borrowed influences. Maybe that’s the art of being human: the ability to turn imitation into something entirely our own. Read more>>
Talia Lyons
If being honest, I think no matter who you are or how big you get in your industry, everyone has some level of imposter syndrome. whether it’s all the time or once in a blue moon, we all experience it at some point or another. I think the best way to over come imposter syndrome is to really take a look at how far you’ve come and what an amazing job you’re doing, and to give your self the credit you deserve. Be humble but at the same time realize your strengths and celebrate them. Read more>>
Jordan Fernandez
Imposter syndrome is something I faced early in my career, especially when I transitioned from freelancing into running my own agency, Fire Fuel SEO with my business partner. It’s easy to feel like you don’t belong or doubt your abilities when you’re competing in an industry where everyone seems to have all the answers. Read more>>
Jalinia Logan
Believing in myself, putting the work in, and acknowledging the effort as well the progress, along with any opportunities for growth. Read more>>
Sarah Breshears
I dont believe Imposter Syndrome is something you “overcome.” I think it’s something that you learn to live with. Brene Brown said, “Fear gets to ride in the car, but it doesn’t get to drive.” To me, imposter syndrome is rooted in fear. It’s the fear of not being good enough and everyone finding out that you don’t know what you’re talking about (even when you know more than anyone else in the room.) When we stop trying to get rid of it and realize that its just part of the process of growth, then we stop letting it drive. It will never go away as long as I continue to grow and reach for more. But, it doesn’t get to dictate my next move anymore. Read more>>
Ferdelle Capistrano
Imposter syndrome is such a strange beast because it wears so many layers and stands front and center, demanding to be confronted. Luckily, I’ve always had enough fearlessness to face challenges head-on, to look this “beast” in the eye and ask: “What do you want, why are you here, and how can I help you?” I didn’t even know the term “imposter syndrome” existed until I was older, but looking back, I recognized that feeling—like a distant acquaintance or relative you see occasionally at awkward gatherings but always feel strangely uncomfortable talking to. Read more>>
