Imposter Syndrome Coaching: Stop Feeling Like a Fraud and Finally Show Up With Confidence
You're qualified. You're good at what you do. You have the strategy, the training, maybe even the business coach.
But when it's time to be visible, raise your rates, or launch your offer, your body says no.
Your throat tightens. Your mind goes blank. You talk yourself out of it before you even start.
This isn't a confidence problem. It's a nervous system problem and it can be fixed!
Do You Have Imposter Syndrome?
Do any of these sound familiar?
⏹️You know your stuff, but freeze when it's time to be visible or promote your work
⏹️You're terrified someone will "find you out" or realize you're not as good as they think
⏹️You downplay your accomplishments and deflect compliments
⏹️You attribute your success to luck, not skill even when you've worked hard for it
⏹️You compare yourself to other coaches and always come up short
⏹️You apologize for your prices before anyone even asks
⏹️You second-guess everything…your niche, your offers, your expertise
⏹️You overwork and over-deliver to compensate for feeling like you don't deserve success
⏹️You've taken all the courses and know the strategies, but can't make yourself execute consistently
If you checked 3 or more, you're dealing with imposter syndrome, not lack of skill, talent, or worthiness.
And you're definitely not alone.
The Day You Realized "Enough Is Enough"
You woke up this morning and opened your laptop to the same half-finished sales page you've been "working on" for three months.
Your coffee got cold while you stared at it, reorganizing the same bullet points for the tenth time, telling yourself you just need to get the wording perfect before you can launch.
You know what you're supposed to do. You have the strategy. You've taken the courses, read the books, and hired the business coach who gave you the exact steps.
You have the content calendar, the email sequences planned out, and the offer clarity. It's all sitting there in your Google Drive, perfectly organized into color-coded folders you'll probably never open again.
But today you had a consultation call with someone who would have been a perfect client.
And you froze.
Your throat got tight.
Your mind went completely blank.
You found yourself downplaying your prices, over-explaining your process, and basically talking them out of working with you.
After you hung up, you sat there shaking. This is the third person this month you've done this to.
Your business coach asked you today, "What did you get done this week?" And you had to admit... nothing.
Well, you did things—you reorganized your Notion, you researched three new email platforms, you watched tutorials on video editing, and you even deep-cleaned your office.
But the things that would actually bring in clients? The outreach, the content posting, the follow-ups? Nothing.
You watched another coach in your program post about signing two new clients today.
She started after you.
She has less experience than you.
And she's just... doing it.
Meanwhile, you're over here with your perfectly crafted strategy that you can't seem to execute.
You checked your bank account today. You know exactly how many months you can keep doing this before you're in real trouble.
Your partner asked you tonight how the business is going and you felt yourself get defensive.
"It takes time to build," you snapped.
But the truth is, you're terrified.
Terrified it won't work.
Terrified people will see through you and realize you're a fraud.
Terrified you'll fail even when you do everything "right."
You're so tired of knowing exactly what you need to do and then... not doing it.
Of sitting down to work and suddenly needing to reorganize your entire filing system.
Of opening Instagram to post and spending two hours scrolling instead.
Of having this brilliant strategy and watching it collect dust while you stay stuck at the same revenue…or let's be honest, lack of revenue.
You can't keep blaming your lack of results on "not having the right strategy."
You have the strategy.
You have the training.
You have the talent.
Everyone keeps telling you you're so good at what you do.
So why can't you just DO it?
Something is blocking you…something deeper than just "lack of discipline" or "poor time management."
And you don't know how to fix it on your own anymore.
You've tried everything you know to try.
You're out of answers.
Something has to change.
If this is you, keep reading.
You Already Know the Basics
Stacie Sadek shares how she was stuck in her business and how she got unstuck.
You understand that getting clients involves:
Show up consistently
Reach out to potential clients
Make offers
Follow up
Talking about your prices
The strategy isn't the problem.
You KNOW what you should do.
But every time you sit down to actually do it... something stops you.
- You open your laptop to post and suddenly remember 10 other "urgent" tasks
- You draft the DM to a potential client...but never hit send
- You get on a sales call and apologize for your prices before they even ask
- You plan to follow up and then... don't
- You start doubting yourself and second-guessing everything
You watch other coaches…some with less experience, fewer credentials, less talent sign clients while you stay stuck.
It's not laziness.
It's not lack of discipline.
And it's not because you're missing another strategy.
This is imposter syndrome showing up as an execution problem, and it's rooted in your nervous system.
Here's What's Actually Happening: It's Not a Mindset Problem—It's a Nervous System Problem
You've invested in courses.
Maybe multiple coaches.
You've learned the strategies.
But when you go to take action...you freeze.
It's not because you're lazy or unmotivated.
Your problem is that every time you go to execute, your body says "NOPE."
The Physical Signs of Imposter Syndrome:
Your throat tightens when you're about to name your price
Your mind goes blank when you sit down to post content
You feel physically sick when you think about following up
You procrastinate on the exact activities that would get you clients
You get shaky or nauseous before sales calls
You suddenly need to deep-clean your office instead of doing the one thing that matters
You don't consciously decide to stop.
Your nervous system does it automatically.
The Behavioral Patterns:
You overthink every single post
You procrastinate on launching
You avoid visibility
You second-guess your expertise
You soften your message so you don't seem "too much"
You apologize for taking up space
You downplay your qualifications
You compare yourself to others and always feel inadequate
And no amount of willpower can override that consistently.
This is what imposter syndrome, self-sabotage, and perfectionism look like at the nervous system level.
Here's why this happens:
At some point, maybe in childhood, maybe when you transitioned careers, maybe when you first stepped into a leadership role, your brain decided that being seen, claiming expertise, or outshining others was dangerous.
So now, when it's time to:
Post content and be visible
Raise your rates or charge what you actually need
Claim your expertise or niche down
Show up on sales calls or networking events
Promote yourself or your work
Your nervous system triggers a threat response!
It's the same response your ancestors had when facing a predator, except now it's triggered by... Instagram.
Your amygdala (your brain's threat detector) literally can't tell the difference between:
Being visible online
Being attacked by a bear
Both feel equally dangerous to your nervous system.
So it does what it's designed to do: it protects you.
By making you freeze.
Overthink.
Procrastinate.
Self-sabotage.
This is why affirmations, mindset work, and "fake it till you make it" haven't worked.
You can't think your way out of a nervous system problem.
Why Mindset Work & Strategy Don't Work
You've probably tried:
Affirmations
Visualization
"Feel the fear and do it anyway"
Accountability partners
More business courses and certifications
Journaling about your limiting beliefs
"Just push through it"
Positive self-talk
Evidence journals of your accomplishments
And some days it works…for a bit.
But it's exhausting. And it doesn't stick.
Here's why:
Strategy tells you what to do (you already know this)
Mindset work addresses what you think (helpful, but incomplete)
But neither changes what happens when your system shuts down during execution.
When action triggers avoidance, hesitation, or freeze, the issue isn’t knowledge or beliefs.
It’s that something in you still associates visibility, sales, or leadership with danger.
Your conscious mind knows:
You're qualified
You're good at what you do
You deserve to be paid well
Your work has value
But your nervous system believes:
Being visible = danger
Claiming expertise = arrogance
Charging your worth = rejection
Success = being "found out"
And when there's a conflict between your conscious mind and your nervous system, your nervous system wins.
Every.
Single.
Time.
Until that shifts at the body level, procrastination, self-doubt, and self-sabotage will always feel heavier than they should.
This is why you need nervous system work, not another strategy or pep talk.
Kate Macri shares her experience with one of the techniques I use, Brainspotting.
This Is Where My Work Is Different: Beyond Mindset Coaching + Nervous System Rewiring
Diane Koenen shares her experience working with Jennie Hays
Most business coaches give you strategy. (You already have that.)
Most mindset coaches tell you to "reframe your thoughts." (You've tried that. It doesn't stick.)
Most therapists help you understand why you have imposter syndrome. (Important—but understanding doesn't always create change.)
I work with where the block actually lives: your nervous system.
Using a combination of strategic coaching, nervous system regulation, and Brainspotting (a neuroscience-based processing technique often used in therapy for trauma and anxiety—but which I use as a performance tool for entrepreneurs), I help you:
Step 1: Identify Your Specific Pattern Imposter syndrome shows up differently for everyone:
The Perfectionist: Can't launch until everything is perfect (which it never is)
The Fraud: Feels undeserving despite credentials and success - The Comparison Trap: Constantly measures against others and comes up short - The Overworker: Compensates through exhaustion to "prove" worthiness - The Self-Saboteur: Ruins opportunities right before they succeed - The Hidden Dreamer: Has the vision but stays frozen in planning mode Step 2: Locate Where It's Stored in Your Body Using techniques like Brainspotting and nervous system regulation, we find where the fear response lives in your body: - The tightness in your throat when you go to name your price - The freeze when you sit down to post content - The shutdown when someone asks what you do - The nausea before a sales call Step 3: Release It at the Body Level We don't just talk about imposter syndrome. We process it. We release the nervous system activation that makes visibility feel dangerous, so you can show up without your body sabotaging you. This isn't about forcing yourself or white-knuckling through the fear. It's about removing what's causing the fear response in the first place. Step 4: Rewire What Feels Safe Once the block is cleared, we build new neural pathways. Being visible becomes safe. Charging your worth becomes natural. Claiming your expertise stops feeling arrogant. This is how you overcome imposter syndrome for good—not just manage it. What is Brainspotting? Brainspotting is a brain-body technique that locates and releases where fear and freeze responses are stored in your nervous system. It's often used in therapy for trauma, anxiety, and PTSD—but I use it as a performance tool for entrepreneurs who know what to do but can't make themselves do it. Think of it this way: If imposter syndrome were just a thought problem, affirmations would fix it. But it's a body problem—your nervous system genuinely believes visibility is dangerous. Brainspotting helps us locate where that belief is stored and release it—so your body finally agrees with what your mind already knows. Curious about Brainspotting? [Learn more about how it works →](/brainspotting) Here's How I Work Differently Beyond Just the Tools: I Don't Give You Cookie-Cutter Systems Most business coaches hand you their system and say "do this." Post 3x a day on Instagram. Send 10 DMs each day. Do weekly webinars. But what if that system doesn't fit YOUR nervous system? What if Instagram triggers your imposter syndrome? What if sending DMs feels manipulative to you? What if you're an introvert who can't handle that much visibility? I work differently: We look at all the strategies you've learned, figure out which ones actually fit YOU, and adapt them to your rhythm, capacity, and strengths. Some coaches thrive on video. Others are better writers. Some love 1:1 conversations. Others prefer teaching to groups. Some can show up daily. Others need a slower pace. There's no "right" way. There's YOUR way.
Real Coaches, Real Results
My clients don't just learn what to do—they actually do it.
Here's what happens when you combine business strategy with nervous system clearing:
This Is For You If:
✓ You're a coach who's been at this for a while
✓ You've taken courses and know the strategies
✓ You know what you should be doing but can't make yourself do it
✓ You freeze when it's time to post, reach out, make offers, or follow up
✓ You're tired of forcing yourself and want it to feel natural
✓ You're ready to invest in yourself (time, money, and emotional energy)
✓ You're willing to do the deep work (not just surface-level mindset stuff)
✓ You're ready to finally get consistent clients
This Is Not For You If:
✗ You're looking for a quick fix or magic pill
✗ You're not willing to address the nervous system piece (just want strategy)
✗ You're not ready to invest in yourself
✗ You want someone to do the work for you
✗ You're not coachable or open to feedback
Ready to Feel Safe Being Seen?
Let’s clear the block that’s been running the show.
Your Next Step:
Book a free 30-minute Beyond Mindset Breakthrough Call.
No pressure, no pitch — just clarity.
We’ll meet virtually and pinpoint what’s actually keeping you stuck.
You’ll leave with one clear next step — whether we work together or not.
Spots fill quickly — I only open a few new client calls each month to keep sessions high-touch.
If this resonates, now’s the perfect time to book your call.
FAQ (Quick Answers)
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We’ll identify your biggest block and outline your next best step. No pressure or obligation — just clarity.
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No.
This is a trauma-informed coaching process designed for personal and professional growth. It’s not therapy — but it can create lasting emotional change.
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You don’t have to. That’s the beauty of this work.
You’re not expected to come in with a fully formed answer. In fact, many of my clients start by saying, “I’ve done everything I’m supposed to… but I still can’t seem to move.”
That stuckness is the clue.
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You’ll feel it—often instantly.
We don’t just talk about your block. We clear it.
Often, the fear is just… gone.
And when it’s not? We keep going until it is.
This isn’t mindset rehearsal. It’s nervous system rewiring that leads to real change you can feel and act on immediately.
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No—and I wouldn't ask you to.
This work only works when your nervous system feels safe. That's why we start with a free Beyond Mindset Breakthrough Call. You'll get clarity on what's really keeping you stuck, a body-based tool to calm the fear response, and a plan to move forward.
From there, if it feels like a good fit, I'll walk you through the program options. And if not? You'll still walk away with insight and next steps you can use right away.
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You almost definitely haven’t tried this.
What I do isn’t just another mindset technique or visibility strategy. I use a clinically proven nervous system method developed in 2003 called Brainspotting—a tool most coaches have never even heard of.
It comes from the therapy world, but even most therapists aren’t trained in it. And the few who are? Most aren’t blending it with business strategy.
That’s what makes this different.
We don’t just reframe thoughts—we clear the source of the freeze response that’s been sabotaging your visibility, confidence, and momentum. It’s fast, deep, and lasting.
If you’ve done all the “right things” and still feel stuck, this is probably the piece you’ve been missing.