How did you overcome imposter syndrome?

We’ve got some of the most incredible artists, creatives and entrepreneurs in our community and we are constantly shocked by how prevalent imposter syndrome is. So many incredibly talented folks are haunted by self-doubt by a society that often tells you not to think too highly of yourself, but in order to have the strength to take on big challenges and make meaningful change in the world you’ve got to believe in yourself and so we wanted to create a space for conversations around overcoming imposter syndrome.

Lisa Rundall

That’s a great question. I realized that imposter syndrome isn’t real—it’s simply a concept we can choose to accept or reject. As a practitioner of a medicine rooted in an ancient language that uses symbols to convey meanings, I have the unique opportunity to contemplate each word from multiple perspectives. The English language, on the other hand, is very direct and often confines us to specific concepts. Read more>>

Justin Mawardi

I’ll be honest, I still struggle with bouts of imposter syndrome. Being the first in my family to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, especially acting, I’m still learning to navigate the ebb and flow of this industry. I don’t think I can name another industry that is as volatile as the acting! With jobs being so inconsistent, sometimes it’s difficult to separate myself from the work I get and the work I don’t get. You truly feel the highs of the highs and the lows of the lows. However, with my short amount of time I’ve worked in this industry, you truly learn the beauty of trusting the process and to be grateful with every day that I am able to pursue my dream.  Read more>>

Erika Proctor

Imposter syndrome is something I’m all too familiar with, especially coming from my first career in the corporate world. Before I launched Pushups + Prosecco, I had hustled as a fitness instructor on the side while climbing the ladder at my 9-5, and as a result, I never felt like I was 100% a part of the fitness community. When I came up with the idea to launch the business, I was juggling a lot, feeling like a jack of all trades/master of none, and I found myself questioning, “Am I really the right person to do this?” I spent a solid few months talking myself out of it. Read more>>

Ashwini Bapat

I don’t think I will ever “overcome” imposter syndrome. As a physician, despite going through college, medical school, residency, and fellowship, I experienced imposter syndrome any time I went up to present in front of my fellow physicians and colleagues. I always felt like they probably knew more than me, could have asked the patient better questions, and could have figured out the patient’s problem or diagnosis much quicker than I did. Read more>>

Charity Taylor

When I first started doing hair, I was constantly doubting myself, struggling with imposter syndrome. I viewed my work as “practice,” which led me to be indecisive, reserved, and unsure of my worth. I didn’t charge enough because deep down, I didn’t feel worthy. Read more>>

Javier Hasse

Honestly, I haven’t fully overcome imposter syndrome, and I’m not sure I ever will. But over time, I’ve learned to live with it. Every time I’m on stage or giving an interview, I push myself a bit further, and I do feel more confident. But here’s the reality: there’s so much I don’t know—and probably never will. What I consider “enough” keeps shifting, because there’s always something new to learn or even something old that I’ve just discovered. Read more>>

Stephanie Wildman

Imposter syndrome! How did you know? I did have a bad case when I started writing for children, even after decades as a writer of non-fiction and academic texts. It’s a whole new world. Now that I’ve had five books published (and under contract for a sixth), I finally had business cards made that say: “Stephanie Wildman – Children’s Book Author.” So it must be real. Read more>>

Alexa Wells

Imposter syndrome is not necessarily something that I have figured out how to overcome. I feel like it’s such a constant ebb and flow. The more I grow and experience new things, the more I feel it. There are days when I truly feel like a fraud, and then there are days when I am so confident in my work and what I’m doing. Read more>>

Taren S

Overcoming imposter syndrome as a High Priestess and leader of a spiritual community is an ongoing journey. One key aspect is recognizing that leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about guiding others while remaining open to learning. I remind myself that the House of Witchcraft is a space for shared experiences and growth, and being a leader doesn’t mean perfection—it means authenticity and dedication to the path. Read more>>

Kanchan Chhabria

In today’s fast-paced world, especially within the creative industry, it’s common to feel a sense of uncertainty as we navigate our professional journeys. One effective way to ground ourselves is by keeping our mission statement and vision in clear view every day. Personally, whenever I find myself grappling with self-doubt or questioning my abilities, I turn to three pivotal questions: Read more>>

Rod Jones

Wow, that is a good question indeed. I think for me, it comes from putting in the time to develop the knowledge about the topics that I discuss. When I dig into something, I am a believer in putting in the needed work to bring the highest and best value to my viewers. The way to not suffer from imposter syndrome in my mind is to not be an impostor. Read more>>

Meghan Lamle

It’s natural whenever you start something new to feel like you aren’t good at it. When I started my business in 2019, I felt the same way. I had four years of sales experience but none in the online space. I was new. There was a huge learning curve in front of me. I was waiting for someone to find out I didn’t know what I was talking about. Read more>>

Buffy Werle

I overcome imposter syndrome by reminding myself that what I offer to the world is unique and valuable. I know that if I don’t know something I can always work to learn more about it. That being an expert is simply mastering my little corner of the world. By showing up authenticity and putting my best effort forward. And that if I fail that is just a lesson to be built upon. Read more>>

Mary Negro

It took time, but as an artist I overcame imposter syndrome through working in the arts as much as possible in my twenties. I came to realize that there is no clear threshold to when a person’s identity transitions from non-artist to artist. There are so many ways to have an art practice and art career. I met artists who spoke of themselves as artists since childhood. I met artists with really impressive skills and resumes who still maintained a lot of self-doubt. Mostly, I met a lot of people who made as much art as they could while balancing other jobs and identities. Crucially, I also met a lot of very generous and supportive artists who encouraged me in my career’s nascent stage. This was hugely beneficial and helped me build confidence. Together, all of this exposure and support allowed me to cast aside imposter syndrome and never look back. Read more>>

Amanda Gainey

This is a great question because I’ve come a long way in overcoming it, but also still experience it sometimes! I’m not sure that someone could say that they never feel it. We all have insecurities at one time or another, some are just better at covering it up. What I can say is, I have grown a lot as a person in the last couple of years. I’ve learned that life is too short to be worried about what someone else thinks of me (or my work) or to play the comparison game. We’re all uniquely made and all have our own creative mind! Read more>>

Dylan Todd

Imposter syndrome is real. It’s really real in photography. There are so many talented, creative and just astounding people out there creating work that I could only dream of producing. That doesn’t mean I don’t know my way around lighting, posing or editing. It’s intimidating and overwhelming and when comparing myself (or anyone to others) I often get this imposter syndrome feeling.
I feel lucky though, I had a mentor whose favorite quote is “Don’t be nervous, lead with service,” and that ideology has transformed my thought process on how I work with clients.  Read more>>

Peiyao Yu

One experience stands out in my memory. In college, I attended a masterclass where a gifted middle schooler effortlessly played beautiful music for a world-class pianist. When asked how he did it, he simply said, “I just feel it that way.” Read more>>

Tara Chaffiotte Danielle Ganter

We believe that the key to overcoming imposter syndrome lies in embracing our unique journey and focusing on innovation. Instead of comparing ourselves and our ideas to others, we channel our energy into understanding what our customers want and need. This customer-centric approach allows us to develop creative, engaging solutions that set us apart and create competitive advantages. Read more>>

Megan Irwin

I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever overcome imposter syndrome. But I think I’m no longer surprised by it. To me, imposter syndrome is the feeling that you don’t deserve to be in the room, but everyone else does. It can be debilitating. And this feeling has been very real for me lately because I have gone through a lot of professional transitions over the last few years. Read more>>

Noah Rosner

Oddly enough, I’ve never felt like an imposter when it comes to performing and writing my own music. My music, at least whenever it’s good, comes from the most personal and genuine place I can generate. When you make something that comes from that place, and I think all art comes from that place, or at least strives to come from such a place, the art you’ve made, like language that describes something so specific and essential to you, takes up so much space in your head while you’re making it, and your soul while you’re performing it, that the idea of being an imposter in your art form loses space to exist next to this thing you’ve made. Read more>>

Mary Clay Holtkamp

In the world of social media, there are endless opportunities to fall victim to comparison.
It took me years to finally step out and pursue painting as a full time career. I was too concerned with creating something perfect rather than just starting.
Instead of trying to imitate what others are doing it’s important to stay true to what YOU love and pre-decide to disregard others opinions of you. Read more>>

Evelyn Snyder

I think it is important to acknowledge that I am still learning and growing even after over forty years of doing what I do. I work in clay. It is a medium with tens of thousands of years of human experience. It is hard to feel original staring in the face of that long history. I honor that there is tradition in what I do. Imposter syndrome is about an inability to perceive that one’s success is deserved or legitimately achieved. I work against imposter syndrome because it is anxiety about how others see me and I can’t control that. It’s also considering whether I deserve credit for my work.  Read more>>

Rebecca Gunn

The subject of Imposter Syndrome is one I really love to dig into. I struggled with this concept before I even knew it had a name and once I found out its name, well, now I enjoy unmasking it so it cannot hold others back. I still remember the exact moment I discovered this concept…I was mindlessly scrolling through my social media feed while waiting for an after school treat for my kids at a fast-food drive-thru when I came across a comment in a photography group that mentioned the Imposter Syndrome. Read more>>

Yang Qian

Imposter syndrome has been a challenge for me throughout my career, and while I wouldn’t say I’ve fully overcome it, I’ve learned to manage it by focusing on the strengths I bring to the table as a creative. I’ve realized that my perspective and the projects I’m part of are unique because of my contribution, whether it’s through collaboration, problem-solving, or simply offering a different viewpoint. Read more>>

Jason Wexler

Early in my career, I ended up working with a lot of musicians who were much older and much more experienced that I was, and I definitely felt that I was in over my head on certain gigs. As I gained more experience, I realized that all that matters is your work ethic, both in the ability to be prepared, and to make sure your skills are sharp so you can fit into any situation you find yourself in. Read more>>

Julie Knack

A teacher by trade and degree, I have had to overcome (am still working on overcoming) imposter syndrome in my new role as Communications Coordinator for the largest adult education organization in the world, Coalition on Adult Basic Education. A large part of my work involves managing our social media accounts and interacting with legislators’ offices and that at first was intimidating. A lifelong learner at heart, I went onto Coursera to become certified in Social Media Marketing and Digital Marketing, but something still felt like it was missing. Read more>>

Jimmy Sussman

For me, overcoming imposter syndrome has been about focusing on the simple goal of my music: making people dance. I realized early on that the only way to move past doubt is to immerse myself in the art and not worry about external judgments. It’s about finding a flow state, where you’re not second-guessing every step but executing your vision. In a way, it’s like the Nike slogan—just do it. Read more>>

Avyana Chapman

I overcame imposter syndrome by realizing that all of my past experiences had prepared me for starting my own PR agency, The Chapman PR Group. At first, I doubted whether I was qualified to lead a business in such a competitive field, but when I looked at my journey, I saw how each step contributed to my confidence. My years of food blogging taught me how to build a brand and engage with audiences, while freelance journalism sharpened my storytelling skills. Working in sales and recruiting gave me the ability to network, find the right people, and manage relationships effectively. Read more>>

Madeline Gullett

How do I overcome imposter syndrome? I didn’t! It’s a work in progress. I am definitely feeling the imposter syndrome creeping into my thoughts every day. I constantly have to remind myself that I am qualified, I am talented, and that I deserve to be here as much as anyone else. Being prescribed Zoloft for my anxiety also plays a part in making the imposter syndrome a little bit quieter. Read more>>

Ashley Sanders

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always struggled with self-esteem issues. I saw everyone around me as great, but I always viewed myself as less than or as if I were missing something. The irony is that when I was very young, at the age when I could give myself a nickname, while others chose cute and sweet names, I chose “Da Greatest.” I chose “Da” because I knew I was different and wanted to stand out, and “Greatest” because I believed there was greatness in me. Read more>>

Adetokunbo Osinaike

For a long time, I lived within the confines of who I thought I had to be. Coming from a successful career in corporate America as an engineer and later transitioning into engineering sales, I had mastered the art of presenting a polished, professional image—clean-cut, fitted into the mold of what the corporate world expected. But deep down, I was sacrificing my authenticity. I wore a mask, and that mask was heavy. Read more>>