From Imposter to Empowered: Own your Unique Path

Let’s talk about something I know too many high-achievers carry quietly: Imposter Syndrome.

You know the feeling—that little voice that says, “Who do you think you are?” when you go for something bigger, bolder, or just new. It creeps in when you’re stepping into a new role, starting a business, or even just showing up more fully in your life. I’ve been there. More than once.

For a long time, I believed I wasn’t “qualified” enough to be in the rooms I found myself in. I don’t have a college degree, and in certain circles, I let that define what I thought I could or couldn’t do. But I realized something crucial along the way: your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be powerful.

If anything, your journey—the twists, the pivots, the scrappy wins—that’s your superpower.

RELATED: You Can’t Flourish If You’re Holding On to B.S.

Listen to the full podcast episode here:

How Imposter Syndrome Sneaks In

Imposter syndrome often shows up subtly: comparing yourself to others, overthinking every decision, needing everything to be “perfect” before you put it out there. It looks like people-pleasing or holding back your opinion in meetings because you don’t want to be “wrong.” And it often shows up strongest when you’re on the edge of something new.

For me, it wasn’t just about career—it showed up in motherhood, in leadership, in owning my voice publicly. And over time, I started to notice a pattern: every time I was leveling up, the imposter voice got louder.

But that voice isn’t truth. It’s just old programming trying to keep us safe. And the more I understood that, the easier it became to shift.

From Burnout to Bold Moves

Imposter syndrome doesn’t just make you second-guess yourself—it’s exhausting. It can lead to burnout, procrastination, and missed opportunities. You work twice as hard to “prove” yourself, and yet still feel like you’re falling short. I see this with my clients all the time.

One woman I worked with, who had dreamt of coaching basketball for years, finally stepped into that dream—in her 50s. And guess what? She was amazing. Her experience, heart, and leadership were exactly what that team needed. All it took was releasing the idea that she had to look or sound a certain way to belong in that role.

Shifting Into Confidence

Here’s what’s helped me, and what I recommend to every high-achiever I work with:

• Track your wins. Seriously, write them down. Big or small. Every week. Confidence builds when we stack proof of what’s working.
• Surround yourself with people who see your potential. A coach, a mentor, a friend—someone who can remind you of who you are when you forget.
• Journaling. It’s not just about venting—it’s about noticing patterns in your thinking, reframing limiting beliefs, and making space for new thoughts to land.
• Celebrate your path. Your story is valid. And it’s likely exactly what someone else needs to see to believe it’s possible for them too.

Own Your Story

Self-doubt is normal. Staying stuck in it isn’t. The moment you begin to own your story, rather than edit it to match someone else’s, is the moment doors begin to open. I’ve seen it in my life. I’ve seen it in my clients’ lives. And I want you to see it in yours.

So if imposter syndrome has been lurking in the background, I invite you to take one small step today. Reflect: Where is it showing up for me right now? What would change if I didn’t let that voice lead?

You are more ready than you think. And your unique path? It’s exactly what makes you powerful.