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.
Sondra Ganz
My entire life I’ve felt like i don’t quite “fit in” anywhere. I loved and excelled in sports, but never was accepted fully within that kid/parent community. I preferred hanging with the punk rockers on the weekend- but even so, was never considered “punk rock enough” to really feel comfortable in that crowd either. Read more>>
Yucen Yao
When I was in my first year of the master’s program in graphic design at CalArts, I constantly struggled with imposter syndrome. The first year was incredibly tough for me. Back in China, I had always considered myself a relatively accomplished young graphic designer with some impressive work experience. Read more>>
Courtney Lynn and Quinn Russell
This is a great question and I am not sure if we have completely overcome this feeling. We often doubt ourselves, our art, our talents, etc… However, that being said, we stay true to ourselves and enjoy all that we do and I think continuing to remind ourselves of this is what helps us feel authentic, real, and worthy of any successes we accomplish. Read more>>
Breanna Lam
I’ve always been an optimistic person, but imposter syndrome was a constant companion when I first started my journey as a calligrapher and stationer. To be honest, I never fully shook it off, but I’ve grown tremendously in confidence, both from a personal standpoint and as a creative entrepreneur. Read more>>
Bryan Young
Imposter syndrome is something I don’t think anyone ever overcomes completely. It’s something that still rests there at the back of your mind no matter what. I’ve found, though, I can ignore it. One way I do that is to remind myself that if I’m an imposter, and I’m doing pretty well in my field, then at the very least I’m good at being an imposter. Read more>>
Peyton Montgomey
This is a constant work in progress. However, I have found that having people around you who truly believe in what you are creating, that’s the best way to overcome the self doubt. Read more>>
Rachel Wynn
Overcoming imposter syndrome was very difficult for me to overcome in the beginning . In the beauty industry you want to be on trend and be apart of relevant conversation and styles and unfortunately it doesn’t leave much room for true creativity, or at least that’s what I thought. Read more>>
Kaitlin Oster
My imposter syndrome came to be when the person I had to impress was myself and not my parents. The household I grew up in surrounded greatly around performance-based praise and as a result I developed the need to live up to other people’s expectations and never learned how to fully live up to my own. Read more>>
Tevin Euell
Honestly, I don’t think I have. Really I feel I’m just coping. I think seeing success and taking the long, harsh route to it when others are seeming to take the elevator to the top, gives you the sense. Whatever you do just isn’t enough TO YOU. Read more>>
Jen Olafson
I’ve encountered my fair share of those moments of imposter syndrome since launching my non-alcoholic mobile bartending business in 2021. This journey has been full of me questioning myself and my abilities, but over the last few years, I’ve developed some strategies to help me overcome imposter syndrome or at least remind myself that I am on the right track with my business. Read more>>
Aaron Engel
Imposter syndrome can impact all therapists at one time or another. Clients don’t always get their ideal outcomes from any counselor, so focusing on those exceptions (as the mind often does), can make one feel like a failure. One thing that helped me overcome my imposter syndrome is reframing what it means to “fail.” Past jobs have helped me realize that perfection isn’t attainable and if I learn from these supposed “failures”, it means I did my best, I knew something, and will possibly adapt if necessary. Another item that helped me overcome imposter syndrome is (as boring as this may sound), data. Data that clients want to see me for multiple visits. Data from surveys show high satisfaction. Information from objective consultation groups. It also helps to have consultation groups to learn that others in my field experience imposter syndrome from time to time as well. Read more>>
Susana Perez
Let me tell you, that imposter syndrome is a tough cookie. It can creep in even after all the late nights and the mountains you’ve climbed to get where you are. For me, the turning point was about self-compassion. I used to be so critical, beating myself up for every misstep. But then I realized, who talks to their friends that way? So I started treating myself with the same kindness I’d offer someone I care about. It’s a work in progress, for sure, but that shift in perspective helped quiet the imposter. Now, when those self-doubt gremlins show up, I can acknowledge them, but I don’t let them take the wheel. Read more>>
Tiffiny Spire
For many years, no one aside from my husband knew I was a writer. I felt like I couldn’t use that label for myself since I was unpublished. To combat my imposter syndrome, I took writing courses, and joined organizations, and eventually started my own critique group. Over time, I began to share my aspirations with friends and family members who were nothing but encouraging. It wasn’t until I heard other people refer to me as a writer, that I started to believe it for myself. But imposter syndrome is something that many people never fully overcome, and it reared its ugly head again when I wanted to retrain and go from being an elementary school teacher to an editor. Read more>>
Anita Shriver
I don’t think I will ever truly overcome imposter syndrome. But the two things that have made me get more comfortable with it are 1) remembering most of the people around me are also experiencing it, and 2) by doing the thing, I’m really doing it. I’m not pretending, and I’m not impersonating someone who is a florist. I am literally doing it. Therefore, I’m not an imposter. Now the emotional ego component of imposter syndrome where I feel like sometimes my work isn’t as good as it ‘should’ be to be a ‘real florist’, is a different beast. And that beast I try to soothe with the advice of Ira Glass about the gap between our taste and our abilities in the moment. He encourages creatives at the beginning of their journeys to keep working even when they feel they aren’t turning out their best work because it is the only thing that will alleviate that gap you feel between your level of taste and your level of ability. That advice has stayed with me for years and when I am feeling the gap, I can look back at the work I did years ago and what I’m doing now and say, “An imposter could never have done all of this.” Read more>>
Lindsey Kinsella
“Overcome” might be a strong word, but I’d definitely say it’s something I’ve worked, and continue to. Being an author is an inherently isolated profession. There’s no one to say you’re doing a good job. For my first novel, it was about two years before anyone read it; that’s 24 months of worrying whether it was awful! And, of course, even when you get feedback at first, it’s from family and friends; they have a vested interested in telling you it’s good. Then there are the bad reviews. There might be one two star review for every ten five stars, but you’d better believe I, and probably every other author, obsess over the former. Read more>>
Ken MacGregor
This is a great question! I suffered from imposter syndrome up until very recently, actually. I have to give you some backstory: in 2021, I edited an anthology of underrepresented voices (women, People of Color, LGBTQ+, etc.), with the proceeds going to support the Southern Poverty Law Center. It was a finalist for the Shirley Jackson award, and I went to Boston for the ceremony. The man presenting the awards was Paul Tremblay (I’m a fan and own several of his books). He introduced himself (though we had met at StokerCon in 2019, he didn’t remember me). Then, this past spring, at StokerCon in Pittsburgh (my second time attending), I was walking past Paul in the hotel lobby. He addressed me by name and shook my hand. And, just like that, I felt like I’d arrived. I was no longer part of the faceless masses in Horror. It was deeply gratifying. Read more>>
Michael Montoya
Overcoming imposter syndrome can be a really hard thing to accomplish. My best advice for it is to remember life isn’t always fair and if you have been lucky enough in life to get imposter syndrome be greatful. To even have imposter syndrome that means something is going right in your life. Just because someone is the most talented doesn’t always mean they will have the most success. So many variables go into success. So don’t feel guilty that you have achieved something others wish they had. Read more>>
Jenny Toth
When I started graduate school at Yale, I felt like someone had made a mistake by letting me in. I was fresh out of a liberal arts college and hadn’t developed a strong sense of who I was as an artist. I hadn’t worked much independently and hadn’t created a cohesive body of work yet. I was intimidated by the knowledge, skill and incredible talent of my classmates, and mostly felt embarrassed and unsure of myself. My paintings got worse and worse as my anxiety deepened. My first semester ended with a humiliating final critique. Of course, the reality is I had been admitted against incredible odds, I had gone through a rigorous interview and reviews. Someone or some faculty had felt I was worthy, but I didn’t feel that way. Read more>>
Maggie Pool
Let’s be honest, imposter syndrome will never go away if you’re an artist or creative. Especially one that owns their own business. There’s times where I think “I’ve finally found my editing style!”, and then I capture another session in a different light or setting and feel the need to recreate all of my content. Constant improvement in my skills will always leave me stunned and feeling like an imposter, so there’s just no overcoming imposter syndrome, but the further you get into photography, skills just seem to come more naturally. Read more>>
Jessica Wright
First, accept that imposter syndrome is a common, normal feeling among individuals. You should keep a personal record of your accomplishments, even if they are small. Constantly remind yourself of your personal successes and the hard work you have put in to get where you are today. Always surround yourself with people who believe in you and your abilities. Try to replace negativity with positive affirmations and challenge all self-doubt. You don’t need to know everything because we are always continuously learning and growing. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention self-care and how important it is for everyone, especially when it comes to our mental health. My skincare business is based on self-care and taking the time for yourself, even if it’s just 5 to 10 minutes. We all need to squeeze it into our daily routine if possible, or at least a few times a week. Read more>>
Edgar Nunley
I knew what I wanted to do for a living since I was 15 years old after I enrolled in a Film Production course as a junior in high school. Growing up 3000 miles from LA however, I wasn’t near the resources to even know where to begin. That was the beginning of my journey to discovering what it truly takes to make films. After college, then film school, I moved to LA and really discovered how much I didn’t know. What I did know was that the resources and opportunities to learn were now at my fingertips. I worked on sets in the camera or grip/electric departments, filmed with friends and other artists and found a job managing equipment and shooting films for students at a great film school (which I still work part-time to this day). I still sometimes feel like I don’t know as much as others, but what I have noticed is that if you keep an inquisitive attitude and are open to learning, many in this industry, when they can, are willing to provide you with opportunities to grow. Read more>>
Mallory Leone
Being in the energy healing space is wild for your self-esteem, especially in LA. You’re dealing with a range of emotions and experiences, from people thinking that what you do is ridiculous and fake to having a lot of competition to maybe not even knowing if you’re actually helping people. Energy healing can be subtle and extremely hard to track – it’s not like taking medication or getting a chiropractic adjustment – it’s happening in the energetic and psycho-emotional realms. So, it’s very easy to feel like an imposter. I overcame (and continue to overcome) this by sticking with it. I practice on myself and get healings from other trusted practitioners. Whenever I’m in doubt, I just double down – I’ll meditate longer, take more breaks throughout my day to address my energy, or I’ll take a new course or start learning from a new teacher. With energy, you’re always learning and changing, so it’s all about trusting yourself and the practice. Read more>>
Dr. Mimi Amaral
I’m not exactly sure I would say “Overcome” imposter syndrome; rather, integrate the concept differently. I understand that my journey is an evolving spectrum where I may embrace tools that reflect aspects of Self; and that the tools are merely pieces that contribute to the essence of who I am as a human being. Therefore, I’m able to appreciate and honor the expansion without identifying with a title or milestone. I feel conscious expansion is a gift, and it is something I chose to value, so by viewing life in this manner I understand that no matter the tools I seek and acquire I am still merely human. I am truly grateful to have acquired knowledge and wisdom, thus far, that I may share with others with the aspiration to empower them to seek, discover, and expand their own journey of life. Read more>>
Dave Swillum
I chose this question because I don’t think it’s possible to ever overcome it entirely at least for me, but I think I’ve made the most progress in my life recently to be in the best position on it that I’ve been when that voice starts coming in. I think imposter syndrome only comes when you actively try to learn how little you know, meet people better than you in your craft by networking, and be at the highest level you’ve been at to see there’s a lot more you could go. I guess I’ve learned that I think if it’s present it’s probably a good thing because it means you’ve grown in a way you know distinctly how much more you could be but wouldn’t if you hadn’t climbed that last mountain to see there are other mountains around that have a higher peak whereas from the bottom it was kind of a hard angle to differentiate them so you had to get there to see more. Read more>>
Camille Sacco
I think it’s easy to get caught up in thinking you are not good enough or smart enough to teach others (who am I to teach meditation!) however it’s important to focus on a few key behaviors when you are addressing a large group of people: 1. Acknowledge your feelings but don’t get caught up in them. They are just feelings and feelings pass. 2. Focus on the fact that you’ve done this before and it wasn’t the end of the world
3. Nobody is perfect and accepting mistakes are part of your growth 4. Remember – it’s not about you! Teaching others is about their growth and when you focus on service, it relives some of the pressure Read more>>
Sarah Demers
My imposter syndrome still tries to gaslight me from time to time, but continuing to create and share my work has helped me manage it. Reflecting on my journey, comparing work from five years ago to my recent projects, has been enlightening. It allows me to acknowledge my growth and see how perseverance and continuous practice have propelled me forward. On days when that negative voice is louder, I take intentional time to reset. Whether it’s engaging in another creative act like journaling or cooking a delicious meal, or grounding activities like going for a run or reading a book, these moments help me regain perspective and realize that things aren’t as daunting as they seem. It’s about taking a moment to trust in myself again. Read more>>
Jessie Gutierrez
When I first started my YouTube channel, imposter syndrome wasn’t a huge thing to me. Mainly because I was treating my channel as a hobby, and for years I just did it for fun, because I really enjoy the whole creative process behind making videos. Imposter syndrome popped up when I decided to take my channel seriously and attempt to really create a business with it. I remember the first event I got invited to come vlog was a haunted hayride at a local farm for their media night. I felt like such an imposter! I only had a couple hundred subscribers and I felt like “Who am I to show up as media when I don’t even have 500 subscribers??” And to be honest, I still struggle with imposter syndrome today. I hesitate to tell people I’m a content creator or mention my channel, because even though I’ve been on YouTube for years, I’ve only been taking it seriously for about a year and I still only have the subscribers and views of someone who’s just starting out. Read more>>
Julia Schemmer
As a young professional, imposter syndrome is something I’m constantly working towards defeating! My professional experience began when I was only 17 years old. I grew up in a small town in Southern California, about an hour away from Los Angeles. Every day after school, I would drive to LA and host red carpets, interviewing A-List celebrities and reporting on entertainment news. I would come home, quickly do my homework, go to sleep, and then start all over again! I was often the youngest reporter on the red carpet, and I had to always remind myself that i deserved to be there just as much as anyone else. As I started sharing my journey online, people would reach out to me and tell me that I inspired them to start writing, and even though imposter syndrome will always be a reoccurring theme in my life, I feel empowered knowing that taking these scary, bold steps outside of my comfort zone can help inspire other people to do the same! Read more>>
Sierra Ellis
I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’ve overcome imposter syndrome, but I’ve learned how to manage it. I’ve reframed what imposter syndrome looks like in my life and how it affects me. Honestly, I feel that imposter syndrome is important for our growth. I know that I’m a great photographer, but there are times when I see another photographer’s work and immediately feel intimidated, questioning my own abilities. In the past, this used to distress me and make me feel like a fraud, thinking no one should hire me for their wedding because they could find someone better. Now, I lean into the imposter syndrome and let it drive me to continuously improve. Instead of letting comparison be a burden, I use it as motivation to get better. When I see incredible photos from other photographers, I think, “Wow, that is stunning. How can I achieve that?” It becomes a fun challenge for me. Read more>>
Victoria Fusco
I don’t think anyone ever completely over comes this if you’re growing. Imposter syndrome comes from not being amazing at something and usually that happens when we do something new to us or we are in new environments with new people. So really, this is something that never goes away but we can learn the tools and techniques to work through it faster and with less damage every time we encounter it. The things I do to put this into practice when that sneaky feeling of “not good enough” creeps up is prioritize time to sit with myself and reflect. I write down 30 reasons why I absolutely am qualified to do the thing or be in the room. This is a practice I use with my clients as well. Working with Executives and managers at all levels I’ve found the biggest things we work on together are overcoming imposter syndrome and mindset. Read more>>
Shannon Daneshrad
Imposter syndrome, to me, is a universal experience that everyone holds within them, regardless of where they are in their career journey. Rather than something to be overcome, I believe it’s something to be embraced and utilized. When I was graduating from my doctorate program, our speaker delivered a speech that humorously and insightfully declared, “No one really knows what they’re doing.” It was a blend of comedy and honesty that was both comforting and a little… daunting. For me, the turning point was adopting the mindset of a perpetual student. Understanding that learning is a lifelong journey allowed me to be more at ease with not having all the answers. This perspective shifted my view of challenges from being threats to opportunities for growth. Read more>>
Jacinta Gandy
Overcoming imposter syndrome is talked about a lot but I don’t really think what it meant clicked for me for a long time. I equated ‘imposter syndrome’ with feeling like a fraud, and that was never something that resonated with me. But there were so many times where I felt like I was out of my depth. Like, ‘who was I to be wearing this big hat of marketing strategist and coach?’ After all, the hat I wear comes with some big responsibility as a strategic advisor to our clients and an employer—there are so many people that are relying on me. It finally clicked for me that all my years of experience had prepared me for the very business that I run today. My background includes design, marketing, and tech—the same exact disciplines that my agency was founded on. In the quickly moving world of marketing and tech, it’s easy to feel like a novice because it’s a world of constant change. But being excited about that change and learning how to unlock those opportunities to create more opportunities for my own business and the clients we work with is truly a game-changer. Read more>>
Angie White
I’ve definitely experienced moments of self-doubt and feeling like I don’t quite fit in among experts. My imposter syndrome often manifests as the Expert type, where I feel the pressure to know everything before starting a project or pursuing new opportunities. This fear of showcasing my perceived “limited” expertise has held me back at times from submitting conference proposals or pursuing work opportunities. For instance, in my role as a Subject Matter Expert in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), I’ve often compared myself to those well-versed in AI and Ed-Tech or who have published extensively in our field. To combat these feelings of inadequacy, I made a conscious decision to stop comparing myself. Instead, I began asking myself, “What am I interested in?” and “What am I good at?” I am not interested in researching and publishing so why would I care about not being an expert in that area? I am interested in AI and material development and am curious about YouTube content creation. Read more>>
Valentina Perez
Impostor syndrome is something I’ve struggled with for many years, especially before finding my niche in family photography. It’s a real challenge that many people in creative fields face, including myself. For a long time, I doubted my abilities and felt like I didn’t belong. However, once I immersed myself in newborn and kids photography and started learning from workshops, studying techniques, and connecting with fellow photographers, I began to gain more and more confidence. I believe that overcoming impostor syndrome is a journey of continuous learning and growth. By actively seeking knowledge, practicing consistently, and learning from others in the field, I’ve been able to quiet those self-doubts and focus on developing my craft. It’s a process, but finding my passion and investing in my skills has been instrumental in overcoming those feelings of self-doubt.” Read more>>
Christie Glascoe
I don’t think I have or will overcome imposter syndrome. It’s that form of fear that makes you focus on the qualifications or credentials you lack. The farther I go on this career path, I feel I will always have brief bouts with it. But the further I go, the smaller the imposter gets. I started screenwriting when I was 45. I didn’t live in Los Angeles, had never gone to film school, and had never written a script in my life. Yet, when someone asked for a screenwriter, I threw my hat in the ring… fully expecting a resounding “no.” They said yes. “Uh oh.” The only qualifications I had were about 15 years of professional writing experience, 45 years of life experience, and an obsession with TV shows and movies. I am about to be exposed To my surprise, the qualificatons I had were all I needed PLUS the will to relentlessly pursue it. When I started to focus more on what I did have instead of what I didn’t, the imposter fell back. And, in just seven short years, I’m an award-winning screenwriter who’s written feature films, short films, television episodes, audio drama episodes, and a musical in multiple genres. Read more>>
