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.

Liz Butler

To be completely honest, I haven’t totally overcome it I’m mainly a photographer, but I also do videography and editing as well. I thoroughly enjoy the satsifaction of allowing others to see themselves in a way they may not have before. They may see insecurities, but I see beauty, confidence, authenticity, etc. and it’s nice to capture that moment for people. Read More>>

Roland Mann

Imposter syndrome is over-stated. It isn’t really a thing. Just do your thing. I write comics and graphic novels, and I teach at the college level.Reading first and foremost. You can learn so much from reading. So I say read, read, and read some more! Read More>>

Mauricio Ginestra

I overcome imposter syndrome by realizing that I am exactly where I should be right here and right now. And my work ethic brought me here, I overcome it by realizing that whatever steps I’ve taken it has always been me. I’m responsible for my success. Read More>>

Precious Gilbert

To come to a new city new environment and new goals was challenging. I started taking dance classes at millennium and discovered I could do more than just concert work (ballet) . I got signed to an agency and took off auditioning and getting my name out there. I seen there were no ballerinas that looked like me and realized there’s a lane that I could succeed in and be different. I went through the phase of thinking if I’m not working as a background dancer or with an artist I haven’t “made it” yet. Until I got signed to my dream agency, bloc talent. they wanted to represent me because I was different. I was taking a lot of hip-hop classes thinking I had to do that in order to even get looked at by BLOC not realizing that they want authenticity and I already had what they were looking for. Once I got signed, I started booking and working on jobs that I didn’t even think was possible to book as a technical dancer, it changed my life. I realized who I am as an artist and human. There is no one like you stay in your light even when no one else see it. They haven’t seen it because I didn’t see it in my self first. Read More>>

Josie Arsenio

While imposter syndrome is a constant battle for me, I find that changing my mindset is key. While studying modern dance in university, movement was often experimental. It didn’t matter what I did or what I looked like in the mirror. I was exploring what my body naturally wanted to do and re-learning what it was like to feel how I danced rather than see how I danced. After 3 years of training in this way with a supportive community, I came to believe that there is no good or bad movement—it’s just movement. I don’t have to be the best at what I do to call myself an artist. This is how I find freedom in choreography, battling, acting, or any other form of expression I choose to explore. Imposter syndrome is a way fear prohibits us from being authentic and bold in any craft or career, but I try to keep the mentality that I am already an artist. No matter what I do or create, I will continue to create for myself and the community around me because I am content with who I am, capable of growth, and surrounded by others who wish to do the same. Read More>>

Beatriz De La Espriella

Overcoming imposter syndrome is a journey, one that we are constantly working on. There were three strategies that I found beneficial for me to overcome imposter syndrome. First, I took the time to define success on my own terms. I realized that success is a deeply personal and individual concept and that we shouldn’t be comparing our success to someone else’s success. For me, success wasn’t about having a large caseload of clients each week; rather, it involved nurturing a smaller caseload while pursuing other objectives such as speaking opportunities, developing therapy groups or workshops, and launching a coaching business. This approach, combined with the responsibility of raising my son, represented my personal vision of success. By staying true to my own definition and not surrendering to the temptation of comparing myself to others, I was able to break free from self-doubt. Another strategy that I found beneficial was taking action, even when filled with fear and uncertainty. I recognized that my anxiety was fueled by an inner critic and it was holding me back from pursuing my goals. Initially, I believed that careful planning and perfection would alleviate my doubts, but I realized that taking action, no matter how daunting, was the way to overcome imposter syndrome. Read More>>

Luka Ciotta

To be quite honest, I don’t think I’ve ever fully overcome imposter syndrome. It kind of comes and goes. There are days where I feel like I’m doing exactly what I should be doing, and other days I look at my work and feel like I shouldn’t be where I’m at in my career, but I have to remind myself to look back at what I was putting out even just 6 months ago and remember that growth is an ongoing process. No one is ever done learning and growing. Read More>>

Natalie Deering

When it came to creating my wellness podcast, it didn’t happen over night. I eagerly hired a podcasting coach, bought all of the podcasting materials, only to not use the coach’s services or even open the boxes of podcasting goodies for over a year after purchasing. There were parts of me that said “I”m not good enough” and “I’m not supposed to do podcasting”. These thoughts came from parts of me that were trying to protect me from feeling invalidated, disappointed, and shamed. I spent over a year turning towards these parts of myself with curiosity and compassion with the help of wonderful healers and guides in the IFS community. It was through this work of turning towards these parts with a loving energy instead of an energy of rejection, that I actually came to an understanding of their positive intention and what they were trying to protect me from deep within. Imposter syndrome is not a syndrome but it’s a phenomenon. It is not something to challenge or ignore, it is something to turn towards with curiosity. It is there based on your background and messages you received either directly or indirectly regarding your capabilities. Get to know these parts of yourselves so that you can then heal the burdened beliefs holding you back! Read More>>

Precious Gibson

As someone who never completed college and mainly worked in customer service and corporate America for much of my 20s, I never thought I could make it as a full-time writer. Furthermore, I didn’t think anyone would listen to what I had to say or want to read my work. However, once I began interning for blogs and seeing the feedback I was getting on the pieces I wrote, the imposter syndrome set in, and boy, was it heavy. Read More>>

Shamelle Yemofio

I am still in the process of overcoming imposter syndrome. What has helped me be more confident is twofold. Experience is the best teacher. The longer I was in a position, the more I learned, and eventually told myself that I deserved I am in my 10th year as a school counselor in my day job. As a high school counselor I focus on serving the academic, emotional and college and career needs of my students. I most enjoy getting to know my students and experiencing their journey of discovering their pathway to life after high school. Witnessing graduation every year is an emotional rollercoaster because I think “I knew you when you were in 11th grade and now you’re going to college!” Read More>>

Duy Tran

They said in architecture that every building design has been done at least once. For me, it’s important to realize that architecture can expand the same design idealogy with my own perspective, creativity, and problem-solving skills to create a unique building or space. Read More>>

Linda Nguyen

Imposter syndrome often arises when I compare my accomplishments to those of others. However, I have realized that each person’s journey is unique, and we possess different skill sets. Therefore, expecting that I could have achieved exactly what they have is unrealistic, and vice versa. When asked to speak on panels, I sometimes feel inadequate, thinking I haven’t accomplished enough to inspire others. However, I have discovered that when I embrace vulnerability and openly share my experiences, someone in the audience always resonates with me. Read More>>

Isis Lazuli

Imposter syndrome is something I still struggle with daily. But when I have my moments, I just step back. Step back from my music, my art. And I just grant myself the time and space to just breathe through the energy that creates imposter syndrome and remind myself of why I do what I do. Why do I make music? Why I make art? It’s to connect with people from a genuine, unique, and authentic space. If there is room to grow or improve, I make those adjustments. And I just try to give myself grace. You’re not going to get everything right the first time, you know. It takes practice. Just trusting that these gifts were given to me for a reason. Read More>>

Nicole Blessing

I don’t think anyone ever fully overcomes imposter syndrome. It’s something that you learn to manage and develop coping techniques. I didn’t have a supportive environment growing up. My family was the type who constantly criticized and found fault with just about everything I ever did. I was definitely not the golden child. When you come from that type of background, you have a tendency to be riddled with self-doubt. Whenever I accomplished a goal, I was told that I just got lucky. My siblings were particularly cruel in that respect. My significantly older sisters would constantly tell me that if I could do something, then anyone could, and nothing I did was particularly special or difficult. My parents’ favorite thing to tell me was that no matter what I did, there would always be someone else better. For a long time, I believed them. I truly bought into the rhetoric dispensed by people who never did anything noteworthy with their lives. I was terrified that it was only a matter of time before everyone else found out how incapable I was. Read More>>

Marcy Wurzburg Stagner

I don’t think we ever fully overcome imposter syndrome, though there is something to be said about getting older and the confidence that comes with being comfortable in your own skin. With time I’ve learned to be at peace with the fact that some people will like my art and some people won’t, and that’s ok! My advice to those struggling with imposter syndrome is to just start. Just do the thing. There’s a saying, “Do it scared” and I try to live by this through my art and other endeavors. Eventually, the confidence follows. Read More>>

Jenn Rodriguez

Wow. Overcoming imposter syndrome… it was not easy. It’s something I still deal with every now and then. But one thing I try to remember is where my identity truly lies. My identity lies in who God says I am, and the type of woman I desire to be. I then recollect all of the work and past experiences I’ve had that has prepared me for this very moment.

For example, during my 18 years in the corporate world, I landed what I thought would be my dream job at a major beauty retailer. We went through a life changing training on leadership, business building, retaining talent, and my favorite… The Art of Questioning. Read More>>

Christina Moffitino

Before I was an official on-camera host I was background for fitness and dance videos. It’s been a journey of true belief that I was fully capable of doing it. Imposter syndrome had been holding me back from my full potential and it took a few months of actually being a host before I could shake it and not have the negative thoughts weigh me down. I attribute self affirmations and positive inner dialogue to getting over it. I think of those thoughts as if it were a mental mixtape. When my mind starts playing a negative thought, I’m so quick to catch it and remix it to something positive. It still happens occasionally but my positive mental mantras are now habit and it over rides any fear or doubt that used to affect my performance. Read More>>

Kimani Walker

I think this is something that we all feel frequently, one way that I choose to overcome imposter syndrome is by reassuring myself. Constantly telling myself that I am good enough in any space that I enter. When i first started to take photography serious, I struggled daily with feeling like I didn’t belong or feeling inadequate. I never felt like the images I took were good enough and I constantly compared myself to others. Over time I started to realize that the confidence starts within me, no one was going to take me serious or pay attention unless I truly believed in myself and I exuded confidence. Read More>>

Regine Gwyneth Templonuevo

Being a first generation immigrant and the oldest out of my siblings, it has always felt like my life has been a trial run. From moving to a new country, then a new state, applying, then going to college, and moving out – it has all been new experiences that I have had to navigate growing up. Not to mention, working in the arts (a “nonconventional” field based on my traditional parents’ upbringing) to add to the mix of obstacles. The newness and inexperience that I carry going into facing these obstacles have always weighed heavily on my shoulders. Questions like, “Can I figure this out?” or “Am I capable of doing this?” or “Should I just give up?” are all things that circulate in my mind. Especially working in a field that does not have a stable income stream, I question if I am qualified or talented enough to even be pursuing my passions at all. That maybe I should throw it all away and work a 9 to 5 that will give me stability, but not the sustainability of living the life that I want to live. Then it hits me. There is a life that I want to live, a passion that spreads throughout my body, that, if not acted on, will eventually lead to the downfall of my internal system (dramatic, I know). Read More>>

Gabi Odebode

Some people became Chef through going to culinary school whereas there are people like me who are self-taught. I took the non-traditional path to become a chef. As a self-taught Chef being around CIA trained chef can be intimidating and also can make you feel inferior or have an imposter syndrome. Earlier on regardless of how much success I have achieved through my business Afromeals and the connection I have made there were still a part of me that experienced imposter syndrome. Mostly because I came from working as a clinical researcher to becoming a chef. So sometimes the feeling of “are you good enough?” lingers around your mind which use to leads to feeling imposter syndrome. At times feeling like I don’t deserve the success or recognition I have gained over the years as a chef. Read More>>

Markeishya and Martavia Freeman

Keishya and I had to take our eyes off of everyone else and what they were doing as well as their successes and focus solely on Studio Freeman and our brand. For us, imposter syndrome forced us to go back to the drawing board and figure out our ‘why’. When we realized what we really wanted to do and how we wanted help people we were finally able to say “now this is Studio Freeman.” Imposter syndrome seems impossible to overcome but always remember you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13) Read More>>

Stephanie Arias

I don’t think imposter syndrome fully goes away. As you keep growing in your career you’ll always be faced with imposter syndrome. I think speaking with other colleagues who are going through the same thing you’re going through helps immensely. There has not been a single colleague of mine who has told me they have never experienced imposter syndrome. What shocked me the most through my networking and making connections with highly respected people in my industry is that they also experience imposter syndrome. Even the most well known and respected people go through this. I have noticed that when I’m feeling this way and I decide to push through that’s when the magic happens. In those moments I realize that I CAN do what I think I can’t or don’t know how to do and it makes me feel like I’m right where I need to be. If you’re currently going through imposter syndrome just remember you are not alone and you can push through! Read More>>

Sharon (Shay) Newell

Imposter syndrome is basically that middle school feeling in small spurts. I hated it at 12 and even more at 32! I have to stay grounded in who I am as an individual before I worry about my roles to my family, business, or students. Shay is my center because I can’t do anything without me. I found that imposter syndrome gathers its strength from the vagueness in our lives. To overcome it I am as direct as I always can be to avoid any simple misunderstandings that allow my anxiety to have a field day. I know that my path is mine alone and I plan to walk it with my head held high. Read More>>

Victoria Martonne

Imposter syndrome has probably been my greatest adversary in life. At times I felt like it was just a little voice protecting me from the awful risk of failing, shielding me from embarrassment, but I have grown to realize that the little voice was actually keeping stuck, not safe. Overcoming imposter syndrome, was more about figuring out why did certain things scare me to the point of not even trying. It is deeper than “I don’t want to be sad if it does not work out”, because feelings are temporary; the lack of action or even sabotaging opportunities comes from a lack mindset. It all came down to “why do I feel like I am not worthy of this?” Everything I felt in my soul that I really wanted but would stop myself from trying to achieve, came from thinking that I had to struggle more to be able to have something that good, or that I could handle the pain of certainty more than the loss of control over situations. So I will break it down for you just like I did for myself: you have no control. It is that simple. Once I truly learned that I have no control over how anything happens, just over how I react to it, I chose to let go of attachment to results. This means that even if I did not try to do the things I really wanted to do, I still had no control and things could still completely change, so why not at least try to change for the better? Not being scared of life is liberating, because regardless if you stay in your comfort zone or explore out of it (sounding like a broken record here) you still have no control. In addition, the one person you will forever live with is yourself, so be your best friend. I decided to treat myself the way I treat someone I absolutely love, someone I would want to be the happiest and most fulfilled. Read More>>

Erika Kight

Being in a male dominated industry, especially in the beginning of my career, I was often worried about this. I’d often feel like maybe I didn’t belong in the roofing industry? I decided to treat this role like others I’d been successful in the past and to not allow those limiting beliefs to overpower my determination to be successful. I often look at the facts (mainly my year to date sales numbers, and the reviews mu happy homeowners have left for me) to remind myself how I didn’t get here by accident-but rather with hard work, determination, and a passion for what I do. Read More>>