Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Leslie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Sarah, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
When I pivoted from being a therapist with 20 years of experience to starting my coaching business, I felt a wave of imposter syndrome. Despite my background, I questioned whether I was truly equipped to guide people in this new way. Entrepreneurship felt like an entirely different world—suddenly, I wasn’t just helping people; I was also marketing my services, defining my brand, and learning how to create a business from the ground up.
I kept comparing myself to other coaches who seemed so confident and successful, wondering if I could measure up. It felt like I needed to prove myself all over again, and the doubt was overwhelming. I questioned whether I had what it took to thrive as an entrepreneur, even though deep down I knew I had the skills to help people.
The turning point came when I realized that my years of experience were an asset, not a limitation. I reminded myself that my ability to create meaningful internal shifts for others was exactly what made me stand out. Instead of trying to mimic what others were doing, I leaned into what made me unique—my capacity to deeply understand human behavior and guide people through powerful transformations.
Once I embraced my expertise and trusted my process, my confidence grew. I stopped focusing on whether I looked “credible enough” as an entrepreneur and started focusing on how I could best serve my clients. As I did, I attracted clients who valued my unique approach and built a business that felt aligned with who I am.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re not good enough—it’s a sign you’re stepping into something bigger. When you embrace your unique strengths and trust yourself, that’s when the magic happens.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At the heart of everything I do is a belief that entrepreneurs can create extraordinary lives—ones filled with purpose, freedom, and deep fulfillment—without sacrificing their well-being.
I help passionate, heart-centered entrepreneurs build rock-solid mindsets and master advanced life skills so they can create wealth and fulfillment on their terms. My work is rooted in guiding individuals to break through internal resistance, overcome fear and self-doubt, and align with their true deepest desires to create the success they dream of without sacrificing their well-being.
What makes my approach unique is my background of 20 years as a psychotherapist, program supervisor, and Director of Clinical Services. I bring this depth of clinical experience into my coaching, blending it with personal development concepts like growth mindset, the understanding that your beliefs become reality, and tapping into one’s inner guidance system. This allows me to provide clients with a comprehensive range of support to help them thrive.
My signature program is my 1:1 coaching, where I take people from where they are now to being in a radically upleveled place in both their businesses and personal lives. Clients often come to me feeling stuck, unsure of their next steps, and weighed down by self-doubt. By the end of our work together, they step boldly into a new version of themselves—one that feels confident, inspired, and finally aligned with their biggest dreams. Often, these powerful transformations happen in less than six months of close collaboration.
One of the most exciting additions to my business this past year has been the launch of my mastermind program, Creating Clients and Cash Flow. This program is designed specifically to help coaches of all kinds simplify their approach to creating clients and revenue. By focusing on mindset, aligned action, and sustainable strategies, it supports coaches in building thriving businesses rooted in ease and authenticity. I’m thrilled to continue expanding this offering in the coming year to support more coaches to have sustainable businesses.
Through my work, I want people to know that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of their happiness or well-being. With the right mindset and tools, they can create wealth, freedom, and fulfillment all at once—and I’m here to help them make that happen. I help people feel alive again, to believe deeply in themselves and something greater than themselves. They learn to hear their own voice above the voices of others and give themselves permission to do the very things their heart has longed to do for years. To live beyond what they imagined possible for themselves. This is why this work is so important and why I am so passionate about doing it.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities and skills stand out as the most impactful in my journey: self-trust, resilience, and the ability to adapt and grow through discomfort. These were not things I started out mastering but rather areas I learned to cultivate through experience, reflection, and practice.
1. Self-Trust
When I left my 9-5, I was the Director of Clinical Services for a treatment center. It was a good job—well-paid, with a great team working for me—but something in me knew it was time to leave. Time for me to strike out on my own and be willing to go all in on myself and my well-being. This was one of those moments where I learned to trust myself, listen to that still small voice within me, and take the leap. Self-trust isn’t something that happens overnight; it’s built by consistently showing up for yourself, honoring your intuition, and being willing to take imperfect action.
My advice: start small. Practice making decisions based on what feels right to you rather than what others think you should do. Over time, you’ll strengthen your confidence and ability to trust yourself.
2. Resilience
The entrepreneurial journey, like life, is filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. What made the biggest difference for me was learning to reframe obstacles as opportunities for my growth. Resilience isn’t about never feeling discouraged—it’s about being able to bounce back, recalibrate, and keep moving forward.
To develop resilience, focus on cultivating a growth mindset. Ask yourself, “What is it that I am meant to learn from this experience so that I can grow into a better version of me?” and remember that your progress will often times come from the very struggles you encounter.
3. Adapting and Growing Through Discomfort
Stepping into new roles—whether as a coach, entrepreneur, or leader—requires leaving your comfort zone and embracing the unknown. The ability to grow through discomfort has been a game-changer for me. I had to receive my own coaching to effectively learn how to navigate and grow through discomfort, which deepened my understanding and ability to support others in doing the same. I’ve learned that what feels uncomfortable at first is often where the greatest growth happens.
My advice: start viewing discomfort as a signal that you’re stretching into something new. Seek out opportunities to challenge yourself, and know that every small step you take will build your capacity for even greater transformation.
For those early in their journey, remember this: your path won’t look like anyone else’s. Focus on developing these skills, trust yourself, and give yourself permission to learn and grow along the way. The most rewarding parts of the journey often come from the unexpected turns.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
It Is by Design: Embracing Your Unique Role in the Greater Good
Each of us is designed to contribute to the greater good in our own unique way while receiving the desires of our hearts. This truth, beautifully articulated in Neville Goddard’s The Power of Awareness, bridges the wisdom I absorbed growing up in the church with the insights I’ve gained over a 20-year clinical career. Desires are intentional and purposeful, guiding us toward the life we are intended to live. Goddard explains that our unique desires point us toward our role in the greater good, aligning with life’s advancement and growth.
Goddard’s concept of Assumption is transformative: we are to ask for what we desire and then assume its fulfillment given that it aligns with the harmony of life. This principle underscores the interplay between faith and action. Synchronicities and the “still small voice” are gentle nudges that guide us every step of the way. When we follow these prompts, we are co-creating with God through trust and action and we live in the ease of life rather than the struggle.
What I find most impactful about Goddard’s teachings is how he reframes the idea of God. Rather than a distant or judgmental figure, God is benevolent intelligence that desires our growth and fulfillment. This perspective gave me a renewed sense of trust in the process of life and a deeper connection to my own inner guidance. It has also helped me see challenges as part of life’s order—designed to foster growth and lead us toward realizing our unique purpose.
It is by design that you are here, equipped with unique desires and a distinct purpose. By aligning with your desires and trusting the divine order, you unlock a life of growth, fulfillment, and harmony.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sarahlesliecoaching.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahleslieliberatedbadass/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-kostrub-leslie-msw-08aa1226/
- Youtube: https://bit.ly/GoALLINPodcast
- Other: [email protected]
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