Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

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.

Jen Roberts

Imposter syndrome is no joke! There have been moments where I felt like I wanted to quit because I didn’t feel good enough, or I felt I was comparing my work to others and not measuring up to where I wanted to be. While I still experience imposter syndrome at times, I’ve learned how to somewhat overcome it over the years. Read more>>

Tammy de Zilva

For me, tackling imposter syndrome starts with acknowledging moments of self-doubt, not brushing them aside or letting them consume me. Last year, I came up with a process to transform my limiting beliefs into empowering ones, which has since significantly influenced my mindset and growth for the better.  Read more>>

Nick Zaremba

I focus on myself. I think about what I like and how confident I am about my likes. I think about how even if I was alone in the woods or a desert island, I would still be inspired and living creatively. I think about a time when there was no internet and there was no comparing to others on a minute to minute level. Read more>>

Katerina | Victoria Juskey | Mierzwa

This is a difficult one. The feeling of imposter syndrome is ever-present,, but there are ways we’ve improved our way of thinking, especially in recent years. One key improvement is acknowledging our successes. From the humble beginnings of LOHN, we’ve made significant strides, now featuring our products in over 200 retailers across North America, including major partnerships such as Holt Renfrew and Anthropologie.  Read more>>

Brianna Rooney

Imposter syndrome came on out of nowhere for me. In fact, it came when I was at a career-high, right after I sold my first company. I very much believe in coaching and I have an excellent exec coach who helped me significantly.  Read more>>

Levi Jaeckel

When we first launched Perform24 nearly 10 years ago, I had no idea how to run a business. I had just left a huge strength training facility that I had moved all the way from Texas to Tampa to, in order to help build there strength program. Read more>>

Driftwood Guitars

As we started to gain traction and get success in our line of work, we constantly worried that it must be some kind of accident or mistake. It took us delivering our product to many, many customers before we finally realized we weren’t faking it until we were making it, we had become it.  Read more>>

Beth Eaton

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome was a journey that required a lot of inner work and self-reflection for me. I had to put in the effort to believe that I was genuinely offering value to the world, despite any doubts or insecurities I may have had.  Read more>>

Bella Lee

A lot of the time I feel like the new kid at school looking for a place in the cafeteria to sit. That’s when I take a deep breath and start by introducing myself to whoever is nearby and building a connection.  Read more>>

Clothilde Ewing

To be honest, I still struggle with imposter syndrome when it comes to my writing, but I channel my now nine-year-old daughter when those thoughts creep in. In particular, I think of launch day for my first picture book: Stella Keeps the Sun Up. Read more>>

Brianna Parks

Honestly, I don’t think imposter syndrome is something that just goes away, but I do believe there are things you can do to combat this feeling. I’m in a creative field, so it’s only natural to feel like an imposter when I see so many talented individuals around me who do the same thing. Read more>>

Natalie Frank

I have not overcome imposter syndrome, but it hasn’t deterred me from creating. I have this inner compulsion makes it impossible to stop; I don’t have a choice. I never wanted to be known as the creator of PLOT TWIST because I felt like a fraud and craved anonymity out of fear. Read more>>

Audra Jones

In all honesty, I don’t think I have overcome it, and I’m not sure that I ever will. But, I think that’s okay as long as I keep trusting that my clients when they say they like to work with me and love the images I craft for them. Essentially, even if I don’t totally believe in myself, they believe in me and trust me, so I keep showing up. Read more>>

Anna Carrandi

When I first started out on the dogs IG account, I had a hard time differentiating what made my content different or why would anyone want to follow us. I saw someone say that the most important thing you can do when starting to create content, is to find your niche and stick to it. Read more>>

Priscilla Marrero

When I began grad school, it was the first time I really understood what imposter syndrome was to me. As a first-generation Cubana-American, and the first in my family to have the opportunity to go to grad school, you can imagine all the feels!  Read more>>

Tamani Lyn

As a Black Woman in business, imposter syndrome is one of the biggest things that we face, but never talk about. What I learned about imposter syndrome is three main things: 1. Recognize it: Read more>>

Monica Johnson

It’s very easy to get in your head and have negative thoughts take over that dilute who you are and what you’ve achieved in the past. It’s so important to maintain a positive mindset, say positive affirmations, talk to a therapist and know how far you’ve come and where you’re going. Read more>>

Emily Bowman

Overcoming imposter syndrome is something I help clients with all the time, and, as with everything else, it is so much easier to guide someone else through a process than to actually do it myself! Read more>>

Risa Iwasaki Culbertson

At some point, somewhat recently, I realized the weight of imposter syndrome had lifted. I wish I had a proper formula to share but, for me, it came with the confidence to tell the story I was trying to tell. It didn’t quite matter what level of skills I had because it wasn’t about that. Read more>>

Tosin Akinkunmi

I think it’s a process. It’s not something I’ve completely conquered myself, but a key thing to remember is that if people like and engage with your work, if people are telling you — either ones you know or ones you don’t — that your work is good and enjoyed, then you can’t be an imposter. Read more>>

Brandon Souza

So, I’m going to be answering on behalf of my production company with Mark Vedra called Marketing & Branding Studios. Recently, we took home first place at the Paramount film festival for our short film “A Quarrel”. Read more>>

Mysti Marcantonio

As I was starting out, I would face problems or situations as we all do. I would feel incompetent and discouraged that it would take me so many long hours only to feel more perplexed. Me belief was that if I couldn’t solve something, I must be a fraud. Read more>>

Alexis Fortier

I honestly don’t think I’ve fully kicked imposter syndrome to the curb; it still creeps in every now and then and I’m not sure it’ll ever fully go away. It’s not as overwhelming as it used to be, though.  Read more>>

Corey Hurley

Imposter syndrome is still a challenge I work hard to overcome on a weekly basis, and I found that a lot of my talented peers feel the same. My number one solution to overcoming imposter syndrome is… TO JUST DO IT!  Read more>>

Steve Hanson

That’s a great question. If I’m being completely honest, it’s something I work on every single day. I can only speak for myself, but I have found that overcoming imposter syndrome is multifaceted. The first thing has been to give myself a bit of grace, for being less than perfect.  Read more>>

Elizabeth Schauer

I find imposter syndrome can work its way into any part of my life. Even during my seventh year of teaching art in Mexico I had creeping thoughts of imposter syndrome. Only in the last year I’ve really discovered two methods of actively fighting it.  Read more>>

Crystal L. Gunn

For almost two decades I have been empowering women and my community economically through financial literacy, homebuying education, personal financial coaching and business advising. The impact I’ve had was recognized in 2023, in a major way, as I was a United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement award recipient for the work I do in financial literacy. Read more>>

Allison Ullo

Overcoming imposter syndrome is an ongoing journey for me, and I’ve found that being open and transparent about how I am really feeling has been incredibly helpful. Instead of trying to suppress or ignore these feelings, I confront them head-on by discussing them openly with others. Read more>>