Why Imposter Syndrome Is Not A Bad Thing (Part 1)

Do you ever feel like any minute now, someone’s going to figure out you don’t actually belong, even though you do?

In this episode, Leah reframes imposter syndrome not as a flaw to fix, but as a signal that you’re growing. Through neuroscience, personal reflection, and powerful analogies (yes, including “bicycle face”), she explores the real reason you feel like a fraud—and why it’s actually a good sign.

You’ll learn:

• Where imposter syndrome really comes from

• What your nervous system is doing behind the scenes

• Why new experiences trigger old survival responses

• How neuroplasticity explains the discomfort of growth

• The 5 types of imposter syndrome—and which ones resonate with you

This is part one of a two-part series that will help you stop spiraling and start honoring the discomfort of doing something meaningful.

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⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – The fear of being “found out”

01:04 – What we’re covering in part one

02:05 – Where imposter syndrome originated

03:18 – The “bicycle face” analogy (and what it means today)

05:09 – What if imposter syndrome is a sign of growth?

05:44 – Your nervous system’s job is survival, not success

06:54 – Neuroplasticity: why growth feels awkward

07:34 – Leah’s personal story: launching her Resilience journal

09:02 – Your body reacts to newness like a threat

10:08 – Your brain is scanning for patterns—and gets anxious without them

11:44 – The 5 patterns of imposter syndrome (by Dr. Valerie Young)

12:00 – #1: The Perfectionist

13:11 – #2: The Expert

14:08 – #3: The Natural Genius

15:20 – #4: The Soloist

16:24 – #5: The Superhero

17:38 – These are survival strategies, not flaws

18:22 – You might show different types in different areas of life

18:33 – A final reframe: imposter syndrome as a growth signal

18:42 – Preview of part two: regulating & taking action

19:01 – Closing

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→ The Advanced Nervous System Resilience Training: https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aXvnLQ5iNMBUxzQYYcrgjg.Ygo_CcAbKDLG3ax4WgUAUannnVgrozTHO0DU3k-rSfw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1748849188&sr=8-1&th=1

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