Swapnil Mahendrakar

I developed my confidence and self-esteem in pediatric dentistry through a combination of hands-on experience, continuous learning, and building strong relationships with my patients and their families.

Early in my training, I realized that working with children requires not just clinical skill but also a calm, compassionate presence. I took every opportunity during my rotations and residencies to work with a wide range of pediatric patients. Over time, I became more confident in both my technical abilities and my approach to behavior management. Read More>>

Laura Sinclair

Honestly? It wasn’t some overnight transformation or magic morning routine. My confidence was built brick by brick – usually right after being knocked flat on my face. I developed it through doing hard things, especially when I wasn’t sure I could. Owning a gym, raising kids, rebuilding after setbacks, learning to ask for help, letting go of perfection… it all added up. Read More>>

Charles Sherman

Confidence in my art career took root early on when I made a clear decision: I would never give up, no matter the creative obstacles or external barriers. Art, for me, is a lifetime commitment—not something to “try” for five or ten years to see how it goes. I believed in myself even when no one else did—not even the people I loved most. That unwavering confidence was forged over 25 years of creating without selling a single piece—and I have absolutely no regrets. Read More>>

Jocelyn Espejo

Growing up, confidence wasn’t something that came naturally, it was something I built behind the scenes. I became the high achiever, the go-to, the one managing everyone else’s success. And I felt good at it. But when it came time to build something of my own? I was scared.

Leaving a successful career in operations and stepping out on my own was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I knew how to lead from behind the curtain, but showing up as the face of my own business? That required a different kind of strength. Read More>>

Valeriia Telemaniuk

Throughout my career, I’ve always been committed to growth and constant improvement. From the very beginning, I surrounded myself with strong, talented professionals who inspired me. I looked up to them, studied their work, and told myself, “One day, I want to be at that level too.”

Eventually, I decided to challenge myself by entering international competitions. The more I competed, the more I pushed my limits—and when I began winning first-place awards, I realized: I belong here. I’m not just inspired by others—I’ve become someone others now look up to. Read More>>

Dee Load

How I developed my confidence and self-esteem came from adopting a strong “can-do” spirit and constantly reminding myself that we’re all human — no one is God. So no matter the situation or who I’m dealing with, I choose to show up boldly. It might sound funny, but one mindset that really drives me is this: the worst anyone can say is either “yes” or “no” — and either way, I keep it moving.
Another thing that fuels my confidence is knowing that I’m unique. Whatever I do, I do it my way — no one can be me.  Read More>>

Cemre Kutlu

As a musician, self-confidence and discipline are essential. The way you stand on stage, the efficiency of the concert and the way you feel good about yourself are all built on these cornerstones. As the daughter of an academic mother and father, it was my luck that they instilled this confidence in me at a very young age. Playing the violin is as difficult as everyone thinks, but it is a perfect example of the combination of talent and practice.  Read More>>

Ryan Grow

I didn’t always have a strong support system growing up (at least it didn’t feel like I did), so developing my confidence and self-esteem has been an ongoing journey for me. For a long time, I struggled with self-doubt, and it wasn’t until recently that I realized my mental health was at an all-time low and something needed to change. Read More>>

Krista King

My confidence and self-esteem grew through a process of learning, adapting, and constantly improving. My passion for photography began at an early age, where I took on the role of family photographer and videographer. By 13, I began modeling, which spanned over a decade and took me around the world, with editorial, catalog, and advertising jobs along the way. Read More>>

ENIX

Honestly, it came from pouring everything into the music. Every song helped me understand myself more. Rather it was my worth, my voice, my story, etc., once I started being real with myself in the studio and allowing myself to feel more in control, the confidence followed naturally. Read More>>

Markeisha Similton

I developed my self esteem by reading the Bible. I learned that I was created in His image and He only could dictate what was deemed good or bad, worthy or unworthy because He is the Creator of all things Read More>>

Flanagan Brassfield

It wasn’t easy. Everyone is shaped differently through their life experiences. Being a lean, gay artist from Wisconsin, I wonder if fitting in was just a stereotype put on people who were scared to be themselves. Especially living in primarily conservative towns that have very skewed outlooks, topics like homophobia & body shaming were constants throughout my life. Read More>>

Ellyz Kei

Besides taking really good care of myself physically and mentally, I understood that confidence comes from having the skills but also being ok with failure, nobody likes to fail but comprehend that I can and will fail eventually, but I’ll also survive and possibly have a richer experience after that. Read More>>

Kimin Kim

I gradually developed my confidence through consistently working, reflecting, and staying connected to the core of why I do creative practice. It didn’t come from external validation but from learning to trust my approach and process, especially during moments of uncertainty. I believe confidence comes from validation, but from trusting yourself in what you can express and represent. Being in the studio, making decisions through trial and error, and allowing myself to fail and try again externally and internally helped me understand that doubt is a natural part of growth. Read More>>

Tina Wright

Growing up with a mother who was less than nurturing left a quiet emptiness in my early years. Affection and encouragement were rare, and I often questioned my worth in the absence of loving support Without the usual emotional anchors, I learned to rely on small internal victories—getting all As, praise from other adults that I admired, or simply trusting my instincts. These became the foundation for a slow, steady belief in myself. Read More>>

Nya Harris

I spend a lot of time working on my craft and being specific about what I want my art to be so that when I step out and perform I can be proud of what I’m doing. I also try to surround myself with supportive people who constantly build me up. Confidence is hard, and it’s an ever evolving journey, but I take each day as it comes and I try to find something to be proud of myself for. Self doubt is a cycle, but so is confidence. Read More>>

Jazi Kat

I have been in the performance world for over 20 years, and when I was in dance and theatre as a teenager I really struggled with having confidence in my work. Everyone who has worked with me knows that I am a bit of a perfectionist, but I used to be much worse back then. I think for a while that the demand I created for perfection held me back from developing my skills.  Read More>>