Imposter Syndrome: How to Quiet the Itty Bitty Shitty Committee
Dec 08, 2025Episode 9 · 8 December 2025 · 35 min
With Layne Beachley AO & Tess Brouwer, featuring Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer
About this episode
How do you move from self-doubt to grounded confidence? Imposter syndrome shows up in boardrooms, parenting moments and even world-title campaigns. In this honest and practical episode of A Wake Up Call, Tess Brouwer and Layne Beachley unpack the stories we tell ourselves about not being enough β and how to quiet the 'itty bitty shitty committee' that whispers we don't belong. They begin with what imposter syndrome actually is: a psychological pattern where capable people doubt their accomplishments and live with a quiet fear of being exposed as a fraud, even when the evidence says otherwise. At its root, they explain, sits shame β the painful belief that we are somehow flawed and unworthy.
Layne shares the moment she became Chair of Surfing Australia and instantly questioned her worth β 'you're just a surfer, what do you know about finance?' β and the preparation, mentoring and self-inquiry that turned that imposter into confidence. Tess opens up about feeling unqualified to co-author their book, why she kept chasing credentials, and the surprising place impostor feelings showed up in motherhood after a hard moment with her son. Together they explore why the brain defaults to fear, how negativity bias minimises our wins, why celebrating micro-gains retrains the system, and the simple language and 'dream team' truth-checks that help you shine a light on shame and own your seat at the table.
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Key takeaways
- Imposter syndrome is the gap between perception and reality. Self-doubt fills the space between how you see yourself and the truth of your actual capability. Around 70% of people experience it β it's a psychological pattern, not a verdict on your worth.
- Naming it helps you interrupt it. The brain magnifies threat and minimises wins. This negativity bias pulls your attention toward mistakes and away from progress, so the inner critic feels louder than the evidence of what you've achieved.
- Celebrating micro-gains rebalances the system. Confidence grows through preparation and action, not by waiting for the big moment. Layne's leadership story shows that confidence begins in the doing β and that celebrating the little wins along the way retrains the brain.
- Shame dissolves when it's spoken aloud. Mentors, curiosity and preparation create the safety to grow. Tess's motherhood moment shows how truth-checking with someone you trust breaks the power of silent self-judgment β shame put in a petri dish of secrecy and silence grows; shine a light on it and it dissolves.
- Your dream team helps you hear the truth you forget. Ask trusted people what they see in you. Their clarity helps reset your inner dialogue when the committee gets loud, so you can own your voice and own your seat at the table.
Chapters
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Transcript
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00:00Introduction▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (00:00):
00:38What imposter syndrome actually is▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (00:38):
04:11The root cause: shame and the brain's wiring▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (04:11):
05:23Negativity bias and gold-plated grit▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (05:23):
08:09The gap between perception and reality▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (08:09):
10:37Layne becomes Chair of Surfing Australia▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (10:37):
12:32Why women wait for all five credentials▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (12:32):
14:26Stepping into the role, not filling it▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (14:26):
16:08Tess feeling unqualified to co-author the book▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (16:08):
18:50Finding safety in the certificate▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (18:50):
22:25When imposter feelings show up in motherhood▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (22:25):
25:54The toolkit: own how you feel▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (25:54):
27:18Celebrate the micro-wins▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (27:18):
30:11Your dream team and the truth-check▾
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer (30:11):
Frequently asked questions
What is this episode about?▾
Tess Brouwer and Layne Beachley unpack imposter syndrome β what it actually is, why the brain is wired for self-doubt, how shame fuels the 'I am not enough' story, and the practical, science-backed tools that help you quiet the itty bitty shitty committee and own your seat.
What is imposter syndrome?▾
A psychological pattern where capable people doubt their accomplishments and credit success to luck, timing or someone else, living with a quiet fear of being exposed as a fraud β even when the evidence says otherwise. The hosts describe it as the gap between your perceived ability and your actual ability, and note that around 70% of people experience it.
What is the 'itty bitty shitty committee'?▾
It's the hosts' nickname for the inner critic β the chorus of self-doubting voices that pipes up to tell you that you don't deserve to be in the room. The whole episode is about how to recognise it, thank it for its feedback, and quiet it.
How did Layne handle imposter syndrome when she became Chair of Surfing Australia?▾
The role lit her up, but the imposter said 'you're just a surfer, what do you know about finance?' She went back to her why, mapped her strengths and weaknesses, leaned on mentors who could coach her, did the AICD course and prepared relentlessly β turning the imposter into confidence by bringing her whole self to the role rather than trying to fill someone else's shoes.
Why did Tess keep chasing credentials before co-authoring the book?▾
She felt she couldn't publish without formal qualifications and found safety in certificates β a high-achiever pattern of 'more, more, more'. She eventually learned that her life experience, the science she'd studied and the thousands of people who'd done their work were 'enough', and that endlessly looking outside yourself for validation is what feeds the imposter.
What is the toolkit they share for silencing the inner critic?▾
Own and honour how you feel; celebrate the micro-wins and gains rather than waiting for the big moment; learn to simply say 'thank you' to compliments instead of brushing them off; and lean on your 'dream team' for a truth-check when the committee gets loud. Underneath it all: shine a light on the shame, because confidence is built in the doing, not by waiting to feel worthy first.
Guest
Layne Beachley & Tess Brouwer
Hosts of A Wake Up Call
Imposter syndrome shows up in boardrooms, motherhood and world-title campaigns β a warm, science-backed guide to quieting the itty bitty shitty committee and owning your seat.
