Confidence can open doors and is at the heart of so many amazing success stories across industries and disciplines and so we’ve always been interested in learning how we can help our readers and community members increase their confidence and self-esteem. Below, you’ll find highlights of some of the great conversations we’ve had on this topic.

Thaddeus Foley

I believe that confidence is one of the most important skills you need to have if you want to be a part of a successful business. The main way I improved my confidence was by trying hard things, not giving up, and getting outside of my comfort zone. You need to jump out at opportunities in the business world, and if you don’t have confidence then it’s pretty hard to succeed. Business is all about taking risks and failing, when you fail in life you learn the most.  Read More>>

Attractive Nail & Spa

Building confidence came through time, experience, and really showing up for myself and my clients. Early on, I questioned if I was “good enough” to run my own nail salon—but every happy client, every compliment, and every return visit helped me believe in my abilities. I also invested in learning—not just technique, but mindset. Confidence grew when I stopped comparing and focused on serving from my heart. Read More>>

Hazel Krebs

Finding and embracing my true self as Hazel! For nearly four decades, I lacked the knowledge and courage to be my true self; instead, I simply tried to go unnoticed as much as possible. I joke that as a child, I tried to blend in with the furniture.

During this significant portion of my life, the world, including me, believed I was male, because when I was born, I was misdiagnosed as male, based on the body the doctor saw. Without guidance or any outlet to express my confusion, I bore the weight of this agonizing childhood completely unsure how to fit into the world as this confused little boy. Read More>>

Emily Pope

I think confidence is directly connected to one’s experiences and lessons, no matter how small. Every time you complete something that was challenging, or learn a new skill that enables a new neuro-pathway, you increase your own awareness of your “true” abilities.
My confidence has taken a life time to build, and I’m still growing and establishing a sense of confidence in myself. In my life, I have faced many challenging situations, including hardships, loss and abuse. Read More>>

Bryan Winston

It’s a daily practice. Self love (esteem) can come in many forms. Meditation, physical exercise, affirmation/prayer and service to others are some of my favorites. Read More>>

Elisabeth Deutschman Rabishaw

Growing up as the only girl, sandwiched between two older brothers, and being physically small, forced me to develop an inner strength. I learned that true power comes from confidence and a strong mindset, not from physical stature.

My mother instilled in me the belief that everyone possesses unique talents. She encouraged me to explore and discover my passions. Being the youngest and only girl also fueled my competitive spirit. I had to learn to advocate for myself, even within my own family. Read More>>

Isil Bal Fisher

I developed my confidence and self- esteem by listening, watching, learning, observing, experience, learning by my mistake, asking, reading, working and mostly having to be by myself. Read More>>

Smokey Alexander

For me, confidence has been a journey of remembering — remembering that my mind, body, and spirit are powerful collaborators in how I create my life.

It all started when I realized how deeply our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality. The mind is malleable, like clay — and when I began to reshape mine by focusing on what’s good, what I truly desire, and the radical belief that it’s possible to receive it all… something shifted. Doors opened. I started attracting experiences, people, and opportunities that reflected that inner trust. Read More>>

Levi Nuyens

I developed a lot of my confidence truly just by trying things that were different. My younger life, around elementary school, I was definitely a, ‘gotta wear what all the popular kids wear’, do what they do, follow-the-leader type of kid. Although my family always told me I had a creative and unique mind. It felt as if one day it just snapped. I liked things to my own and I would adapt to a mold that didn’t exist yet. Essentially, creating my own. I grew up taking a particular interest into street-wear fashion and over time that has developed. I strongly believe my fashion is a reflection of my character, and it’s very unique! Read More>>

Robert Saltonstall

The way I developed the confidence to create my own work came from a long career in carpentry. My dad is a cabinet builder and put me to work in his shop as a teenager, and since then I made a living doing various woodworking jobs, I gravitated towards other builders who valued quality and passion in their work, people I admired and people who challenged me. I always was anxious to do a good job and rarely did i feel i could accomplish the standard of woodworking that i saw being mastered by my mentors.  Read More>>

HeWho WroteIt

I believe this stems from growing up in a loving home, often times i make comments like, “I’m very much loved at home!” Which is very. much the truth. Needless to say I’d say my mother, from a very young age taught me the concept of “knowing who you are” as an individual. Incessant encouragement and reprimands when needed. “There’s nothing under God’s green earth you cannot do, trust in Him. Read More>>

Frankie Torres

I was lucky to be raised by two very affectionate and supportive parents. They supported my dreams of being a singer since day one. My friends and family came to every one of my shows when i was younger and never reduced them to being a “kid performance”. I attended the School of Rock for almost 10 years and that environment fostered self confidence like no other. Read More>>

Ashley Augustin

I truly believe the people you surround yourself with make all the difference. Having an uplifting, supportive circle has built my confidence in ways I didn’t even realize at the time. My best friend, Gretta, has always been my biggest hype woman. Growing up with her was such a gift—especially through the awkward phases of high school, from questionable outfits to bold eyeliner choices. She never made me feel less than; she always reminded me I was beautiful, even when I didn’t feel it myself. Read More>>

Kesha Austin

My confidence and self-esteem were developed through my relationship with Christ. Growing up, I often struggled with feeling accepted because I was different — I had unique perspectives, goals, visions, and a distinct outlook on life. This often left me feeling alone and unsupported. But everything changed when I made the conscious decision to stop seeking people’s approval and instead focus on pleasing God. I now strive daily to live in a way that aligns with His will, even when it doesn’t match the world’s standards. Read More>>

Queen

When I was younger, I was picked on a lot. So naturally, as I got older, I stopped caring about what others had to say and started focusing more on how I saw myself. TV was a big help—I’ve always loved everything about fashion and dreamed of being that “IT GIRL.”

I wasn’t in a financial position to buy the things I really wanted, so I got creative with what I could afford. My go-to stores were Rainbow and Citi Trends—at the time, they were the only places that carried plus-size clothing. Every time I went, I’d pick out pieces that most people would overlook. Over time, I kept tapping into who I was. Read More>>

Jenny Dempsey

I didn’t grow up with built-in confidence. I grew up with caution. With the belief that being humble meant playing small, that asking for help was weakness, and that being liked meant being agreeable. I was the girl who cheered everyone else on while quietly standing alone in the corner questioning if I deserved a shot myself.

For a long time, my self-esteem was performance based. Get the grade. Get the job. Get the gold star. If I was doing well, I felt okay. If I wasn’t, I spiraled. My worth was tangled up in how useful or impressive I could be to other people. Read More>>

Merissa Mills

Developing my confidence and self-esteem has been a journey — both personally and professionally. One of the most transformative experiences was my own health journey: I lost over 100 pounds naturally through diet and exercise. That process taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of small, consistent changes. It also gave me a deep, firsthand understanding of the emotional and mental challenges that come with changing your lifestyle. When I became a registered dietitian and started my own business, I knew I wanted to use that personal experience to help others — not just with the science of nutrition, but with real-world empathy and support. Read More>>

Maryn Alyse

It took me a long time to build up the confidence to feel comfortable on stage. I started playing guitar when I was 8, doing little showcases in front of other musicians and their parents—but I never really felt at ease. That started to change when I began taking lessons with Chris Sgammato. He pushed me out of my comfort zone constantly—whether it was making me sing and play guitar in a 12-piece band, play with other kids I didn’t know, or even just throwing me on stage without teaching me the song first. As scary as it was at the time, those experiences helped me feel safe on stage. Read More>>

Michael Collins

I didn’t grow up feeling confident, but everything started to change once I began practicing my craft. As I put in the work and started receiving genuine compliments from others, it gave me the motivation to keep improving. Over time, those small moments of encouragement built up my self-esteem and helped me develop real confidence in myself and what I do. Read More>>

Soben Hour

Honestly? It wasn’t overnight, and it wasn’t handed to me. Confidence grew slowly—like a plant that needs both sunshine and storms.

First, showing up consistently was key. Whether in the art studio, the hospital, or the classroom, I learned that confidence comes from doing the work—even when I felt unsure or scared. Each small success, every completed painting or tough shift, built a foundation of “I can.” Read More>>

Aquilla Peerman

My confidence and self-esteem grow more each day. I have overcome difficulties with support from my family and friends, and being firm in who I am and who I want to become. I am a patchwork of lessons, losses, encouragement, boundaries, and becoming. Every piece has helped me shape the confidence I carry today. Reading different stories has been a major part of my self-esteem journey. Reading helped me find the language for what I felt, who I was, and who I want to become. I pass on my confidence by helping others build their language, helping them find their voice, and creating space for them to be authentically themselves. Read More>>

Kelvin Dukes

Knowing how much I have practiced my God-given gifts since I was young, there’s no way I would let anyone diminish my light and who I am as a person. Even after joining social media to share my talent with people everywhere. Especially after being on “America’s Got Talent,” I struggled to become confident again due to how people perceived me. I just had to remember I wasn’t singing for them, it’s my healing. People will comment what they want to, but my parents have always instilled in me to never allow people to see how much they’ve bothered me. Continue to press on when challenges are in my way. From that perseverance grew my confidence and self-identity! Read More>>

Danielle Munday

I can thank my family and friends for this. Surrounding myself with encouraging people has molded me into the person I am today.

We were all called names and pushed down in school. Then at a point you wisen up and realize, the bullies are the ones who are not happy. Then you leave school and choose who you spend time with.

We can only control our own actions right? So why not be happy, kind, generous and healthy? We’re all unique. We’re all special. Read More>>

Amy Tipton

I was lucky growing up, having strong female role models in the form of family & friends and a great lady who lived across the street & who kinda became my substitute grandma. But I also came of age in the ’90s on the West Coast, and I’d be remiss to not credit the Riot Grrrl movement—Bikini Kill in particular—as a driving force. I credit that movement for keeping my confidence/self-esteem afloat through high school & bad boyfriends, etc. (As well as the punk philosophy called “PMA” which just means positive mental attitude.) Read More>>

Reland Logan

I’ve often been quoted saying, “Confidence is built by doing.” And I still stand by that, without hesitation.

Earlier this year, when I launched The Luxe Leap podcast, I cried. Not from joy or even excitement—those came later. But from the sheer vulnerability of what I was about to ask.

My podcast production team laid it out plainly: I’d need to reach out to 50 women, and statistically, only 6–8% might even agree to a call. If you’re doing the math, that’s maybe one yes. And that’s without knowing if she’d actually say yes to being on the show. Read More>>

Nell Tice

My confidence and self-esteem both developed over my entire life-span, but I’ve only managed to realize that now. When I was a kid, growing up with scoliosis and wearing a very noticeable back brace for most of my childhood, I didn’t know that this was actually developing confidence and self-esteem because it felt like I was being depleted of them. Each time I was made fun of or bullied for looking how I did, it was just another step in the building of character. Read More>>