Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and insights from phenomenal artists, creatives and entrepreneurs who’ve successfully managed to overcome imposter syndrome.
Lydia Bagarozza
Imposter syndrome is sneaky. I didn’t think that I had it until I started my own PR agency a few years back. Understanding that I was the only person to report to or be the authority, I had to realize that I was “it.” I was the talent for my business. Read more>>
Berenice
Absolutely, dealing with imposter syndrome has been a constant battle on this journey. It always seemed to lurk around, popping up at the worst possible times—like when I’m feeling particularly vulnerable or right after a small win. Most people in this industry have to deal with it some way or another, and especially now with social media it’s so easy to compare yourself and focus on everything that’s missing. Read more>>
Elizabeth Gottshall
far you go. Whether you are moving to a new job or working on a new passion project, there’s that voice in your head saying you aren’t good enough or you didn’t put in the work to get to where you are. You can’t listen to that voice though because you wouldn’t have gotten that opportunity or started that project if you weren’t ready and determined. Read more>>
Jose Carlos
It’s taken me a long time to get over feeling like a fraud. Believing I wasn’t worthy of being a professional and a paid photographer. Especially early on when I started my business. I had the skills as a photographer, but the business aspect was something I had to learn as I went. I didn’t go to school for business. Read more>>
Jenn Haston
When you grow up with childhood trauma like I did, it’s a constant feeling of having snuck through the back door, or not good enough, so I this concept is very familiar to me. I do believe overcome is an inaccurate depiction of how to approach Imposter Syndrome. I have really wrestled with this for years. Read more>>
Geise Pinto
I’ve always considered myself “not good enough”, even when I’ve got a lot of compliments and positive feedback on whatever I was trying to do/ pursue. I have always been the kind of self-demanding person, working the hardest I can to achieve my goals, and putting my best efforts into everything I commit to doing, but always saying “But it’s not perfect”, or “it is lacking this or that”, or “ someone else is doing much better than I do”, etc. Read more>>
Geise Pinto
I’ve always considered myself “not good enough”, even when I’ve got a lot of compliments and positive feedback on whatever I was trying to do/ pursue. I have always been the kind of self-demanding person, working the hardest I can to achieve my goals, and putting my best efforts into everything I commit to doing, but always saying “But it’s not perfect”, or “it is lacking this or that”, or “ someone else is doing much better than I do”, etc. Read more>>
Ryann Kristena
Honestly, I don’t think it’s fully possible to overcome imposter syndrome. For me it’s a work in progress, like a muscle that gets stronger when you go to the gym. Actually, I think this gym analogy can go somewhere, so bare with me here. So you know when you first start going to the gym and you’re like oh man ten pound weights are a lot and this is so hard. Read more>>
Tristan Ortiz
Within the world of filmmaking you come across many different types of people. Different processes, different egos and different cultures. Filmmaking is often glamorized in the media as something far reaching, almost impossible to find success in. It’s only natural to feel like you don’t belong or have a place in such a volatile field. Read more>>
Jasmine Levine
Imposter syndrome is very real, and I commend the people who do not experience it. For those of us who do, I honestly think the best way to overcome it is to know that people chose to work with you for a reason, and you ARE the expert in your field. It also generally fades away with time and the more that you do your work. I remember when I got hired for my first paid shopping appointment. I was so nervous. Read more>>
Dr. Jessica Parker
Despite persisting imposter syndrome, I’ve managed to overcome the majority of its challenges by remaining devoted to my passion. Wholeheartedly immersed in what I do, I find immense joy in not only pursuing my interests but also in inspiring others to join my field. My commitment extends to uplifting my colleagues, even those I may view as competitors, as I believe in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment within our shared professional realm. Read more>>
Tobias Fike
Do you ever, really? I think it is more of an understanding that most people seem to have it so you become more comfortable with it. Or at least that’s what I tell myself. In some ways, I’ve grown to appreciate it. I believe it is a sign of truly caring about what you do and wanting to be better at it. I also have this aspect of myself that takes a kind of deviant pride in being an imposter, just faking my way through life. Read more>>
Elizabeth Cash
For the longest time, I didn’t even have the words to describe what I was feeling. The closest thing I could grasp was that I was a ‘fraud’, but that also didn’t feel quite true. Being a new, small business owner in the field of Health & Wellness, guiding people on their healing journeys and being a wellspring of advice for others while, in the shadows, I was dealing with my own mental health issues made me feel like a ‘fake’. Read more>>
Alex Vasquez
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been more about embracing a mindset shift and continuous self-improvement rather than following a strict set of steps. It started with recognizing those feelings when they emerged, not as indicators of inadequacy, but as signs of stepping out of my comfort zone, which is where growth happens. I leaned into the discomfort, understanding that feeling like an imposter sometimes meant I was pushing my boundaries and expanding my capabilities. Read more>>
Meredith Carlson
I’ll be quite honest, I don’t think I have overcome imposter syndrome. I think it’s about meeting myself each day and doing the best that I can. It wasn’t easy for me to even arrive at this place, to give myself this space to make mistakes and reflect; but beating yourself up will only get you so far, you know? You have to take a breath and analyze the situation, separate it from your emotions, and work forward from there. Read more>>
Viveka von Rosen
Do we ever truly overcome “imposter syndrome?” I think the key is truly understanding what it is. We need to have a deeper understanding of the underlying fears that manifest as this phenomenon. For me, imposter syndrome is more than feeling like a fraud in my area of expertise. I needed to break down this imposter feeling, and realized it manifests as the fear of both success and failure – simultaneously. Read more>>
Dan Brown
Luckily, we all need to earn a living, so we are forced to step out into space sometimes without knowing everything. Once we do that we find that yes we can fly. Maybe not as good as we like, but we aren’t going to crash either. Or at least not as hard as we thought we would. I am also excited by small steps of accomplishment. I do know I am not where I want to be right now, but take delight in the skills I do have right now. Read more>>
Jill Levine
The lack of belief in myself started, I believe, from the moment of conception. I am an adopted child, born to a mother who denied knowing she was pregnant and a father who was never told of my existence. Not being wanted was something it felt like I was born into. It took me decades to recognize the undercurrent of “you’re not worthy, you’re not wanted, you don’t deserve” and how this undercurrent had carved so much of life, my choices, and my relationships. Read more>>
RaeAnn Serra
I think it’s hard to say whether or not I actually have “overcome” imposter syndrome, because I don’t think it’s something that goes away completely. It’s one of those things as humans that we have to learn to live with and navigate in order to be successful. I work as a food and product photographer, and in a field where there’s not necessarily a “right and wrong” way to do things, It can be hard to build your confidence. Read more>>
Katie Cassin
Imposter syndrome is a tough one. Everyone feels it, its perfectly normal! My number one way of combating it is by remembering one simple thing: the most unique quality you bring to your business or any aspect of life is yourself. You can get caught up in trends and envy those who fit into them but, at the root of it all, it’s temporary. You will alway feel inadequate trying to recreate someone else’s uniqueness. Read more>>
Rachna Rawat
My path to overcoming imposter syndrome has been deeply rooted in embracing the Ayurvedic wisdom and family traditions that form the foundation of Hanuman Chai. Our teas are far more than just a comforting drink; they are a legacy of healing and connection, bringing together friends and families across generations. Read more>>
Alexander Ray
I think almost everyone in the industry deals with imposter syndrome at times. I’ve been guilty at times of not charging clients enough for freelance filmmaking gigs, because I don’t feel like I deserve more. As a result, I’ll end up doing way more work than the money justifies, and later regret it. Read more>>
Kelly Zeller
Okay, I have a B.S. in Biology and a Masters Degree in Education, so literally zero training in graphic design or calligraphy (unless you count PowerPoints on cellular respiration and writing homework on a whiteboard?). There are so many talented stationery designers out there with gorgeous photos of their stunning work drizzled all over their social media pages that it’s nearly impossible for me to not wonder “What the %@*^# am I doing here?!” on a daily (hourly?) basis. Read more>>
Malika Fudge
I took comfort in the profound saying, “You can be what you want to be, and the fact that you want to be is proof that you can be,” while I worked through my imposter condition. This mantra served as a reminder of my innate abilities and passion for guiding others toward creative solutions for anxiety. Read more>>
Thomas George
Imposter Syndrome is one of those things that I don’t know if it can ever be fully overcome. I’m the type of person who views a lot of the things that happen daily in their life as generally uninteresting because they are so familiar. This feeling tends to perforate throughout my conscious perception of the work and things that I’m doing so that I end up feeling I’m not doing a whole lot. Read more>>
Ellie Lambert
I have personally fought imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome often makes us downplay our accomplishments and focus on our perceived shortcomings. By taking the time to appreciate my skills, knowledge, and experience, I was able to remind myself of the positive impact I have made on my patients and the expertise I bring to my practice. Read more>>
Sallyann Corn
I appreciate this question as if it’s something entirely in the past! Honestly, whenever we’re feeling comparative or the imposter voices start creeping in, we get off of the internet. Social media is incredibly selective–it’s a polished and presentable view that isn’t reality. No one ever posts pictures of themself in sweatpants sending invoices. Read more>>
Caitlin Macri
It took me a very long time to commit to following my dream of starting a secondhand bridal shop. Although I was passionate, I had been working in a different industry all my life. It was such a risky endeavor, and I had always assumed “people like me” couldn’t take on these kinds of risks (meaning, people who weren’t independently wealthy, or had gone to business school, or had pre-acquired a following or backing for the project). Read more>>
Colin Althaus
For me, imposter syndrome is like a toxic relationship. It keeps me constantly questioning my successes, but it’s also scary to let go of because it drives me to continuously get better at my craft. In 2018 I auditioned to be part of a musical group called Urbana, which culminated in a performance with an audience of over 10,000 people. Just the scale of the event was enough to get my imposter syndrome going! Read more>>
Sarah Starnes-Thomas
I don’t know if most people actually completely overcome imposter syndrome. Otherwise, we wouldn’t still be talking about it. I think it’s just a practice, like anything. I’ve learned that feeling inadequate or feeling shame is just part of being human. If those feelings come up for me, then identifying the root or cause of them is a way for me to move through them logically. Read more>>
Coby Conrad
If I am being honest, I have not overcome imposter syndrome. Although I have learned how to live with it and move past it in certain ways. I feel that imposter syndrome is something that does not really just “go away” with a certain quality or habit, but then again maybe I just have not found it yet. It has been something that I have dealt with my entire life and not just through music and art. Read more>>
Shoni Bell
In one word: reflection. I had to learn to look back at all of my successes to remind myself that I actually know what I am doing and know what I am talking about. When I was a brand new business owner working with clients for the first time, that crippling anxiety would pop up seemingly out of nowhere. There was a lot of self-talk happening! I had to tell myself that I could handle what was in front of me. Read more>>
Ali Imad Fadlallah
When I think of imposter syndrome, I think of a seemingly unrelated story that dates back 16 years. I was standing outside of the BSU on campus at the University of Minnesota when my old friend Joy cracked the joke: “My big bro keeps asking me how basket weaving is goin’.” I chuckled awkwardly – giving away that I didn’t get the punchline – until she elaborated: Read more>>
Luis Figueroa
Just using my day to day interactions, and life experiences. All of have our own unique story. Read more>>
Portia Winston
Being someone with a history of relocating very often as a child imposter syndrome quickly, and easily found its place in my mind. There were many times, where I felt that I was not enough, that I did not have the adequate capabilities to do certain jobs, even if I was really good at it. Read more>>
Mikayla Hollrah
Before overcoming imposter syndrome, I needed to grasp what it was and how it influenced my daily life. I had previously assumed that imposter syndrome was lack of self confidence and believing you weren’t capable of achieving your goals. After conversation with friends, family, and doing a bit of research, I quickly realized that was not entirely the case. Read more>>
Meg Bodi
I haven’t!!! I still get imposter syndrome all the time, don’t you? I work to overcome it by reminding myself and having loved ones who consistently remind me that I am not an imposter at all — I have over 10 years in my industry of work experience, not to mention I have pursued as much advanced and continuing education as I possibly can. Read more>>
Caroline Elise
I’ve come a long way in battling imposter syndrome. I decided to go into acting and film making after nearly a decade of working in tech, and I felt like such a wannabe calling myself an actress as a fledgling artist with no experience or credits to my name. Here’s what worked for me: 1. Classes/learning. I took classes in secret for months and learned skills that gave me confidence 2. Network. I “accidentally” moved abroad and met a group of entrepreneurs who inspired me to forge my own path. Read more>>
Michael Harvey
I’m not sure I’ve ever overcome imposter syndrome. Even after 4 years of undergraduate education, five years of masters degree and ordination education, and 4 years of PhD work, I still often wonder what I’m doing in a classroom with so many smart and talented people. Read more>>
Sugi Dakks
At the end of the day, I think we’re all just humans trying to find some footing in a state of mind and environment which allows to feel empowered and connected, and that I have found is true no matter what accomplishments you have achieved or how good you are at a skill. Read more>>
Yukie Ohta
I don’t think I’ll ever completely overcome my imposter syndrome, but now that I have more of my lifetime behind me than ahead, I have the privilege of hindsight. Throughout my life, every time I’ve stepped into a new role or begun a new project, that nagging fear of being discovered as a fraud tugged at me. Read more>>
Anastasia Petrova
I’m not sure I’ll ever truly overcome it, but I’ve learned to manage it by making sure I’m aware of expectations when it comes to my work. I have a very structured way of working & I make sure that’s communicated to my clients – when they know what to expect, I know I’ll deliver every time. Read more>>
Becca Riter
I don’t think anyone really completely overcomes Imposter Syndrome, but theres definitely ways to keep it at bay. Some days you feel you’ve knocked it outta the park and others when you fall flat. I think accepting failure is key in reducing that anxiety. The occasional flub isn’t the end of the world. Failure just gives you an excuse to learn and improve. Take that time to hone your craft and stay consistent. Read more>>
Tré Davis
Imposter syndrome is tricky because it never really goes away 100% – but since I started the journey of creating visual content, I’ve watched it slowly fade away with every completed project and happy client that I work with. Read more>>
Justice Moore
I don’t believe there will be a moment where I erase imposter syndrome forever. I have moments where I can stand firmly in who I am without any doubt, and there are moments where I really wonder how I ended up with a certain opportunity. It’s a daily practice, a daily inhale and exhale, a daily trust. Read more>>
Virginia Haladyna
This is a good question! I feel like overcoming imposter syndrome is something I’m always tackling as an artist. Over the years though, I’ve gained the tools to battle that anxiety. Personally, I’ve found a lot of resilience in continuing to challenge myself by the songs I write, the shows I play, etc. Read more>>
Devin Tinson
Overcoming, imposter syndrome was a matter of believing that I was already who I desired to be. I had to come to the realization I just wasn’t the person I desired to be yet. The only thing that was preventing me from being who I am today, was my own will and the lack of discipline. I had to learn to start embodying the characteristics of who I wanted to be. Read more>>
Lorenzo Jackson II
I used to think that imposter syndrome was not real. How could a person earn something and not feel like they earned or deserved it. It just didn’t make sense to me. I thought it was people pretending to be humble for the sake of not sounding arrogant. That is of course until it happened to me. A project that I was working on in with Megan Piphus and CET. That project won an Emmy. Read more>>
Laia Grassi
To address the question of overcoming imposter syndrome, I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve numerous professional successes and receive industry accolades that have significantly validated my work and efforts in the creative field. Among these, the Cannes Lions Awards stand out as a particularly reinforcing achievement, symbolizing the pinnacle of creative and marketing excellence on a global stage. Read more>>
Melissa Rae
I think this is something that all creatives struggle with and have to be rather intentional to overcome. Imposter Syndrome is so easy to feel when there are thousands of photographers and content creators. I was a solo traveling photographer before Reels were invented, before Influencers were a household name, and before photography was the most common skill offered as a service. Read more>>
Santiago Herrera
Imposter syndrome was something I battled with for a significant portion of my journey. Growing up, I often felt like I didn’t belong or wasn’t deserving of the opportunities presented to me, especially in the competitive world of music. Despite my accomplishments, there was always a nagging voice in my head telling me I wasn’t good enough. Read more>>
Brittney McMurray
Honestly, dealing with imposter syndrome is still a daily struggle for me, especially in today’s social media-driven world where it’s so easy to feel like you’re not measuring up to everyone else. But I’ve found a few things that help me keep it in check. Read more>>
Emily Laliotis
I’ve been writing music since high school. While my early songs are nothing prophetic, I often look back on that time with longing. The confidence it took to start making art without concern for outcomes or judgement is an elixir I often wish I could bottle up and imbibe at will. At some point along the way, I lost touch with the simplicity of this time. Read more>>
