Episode:Â 9
Imposter Syndrome – How to Quiet the Itty Bitty Shitty Committee
With Layne Beachley and Tess Brouwer
Listen on:
How do we 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, Tess and Layne unpack the stories we tell ourselves about not being enough and how to move from self doubt to grounded confidence.
Layne shares the moment she became Chair of Surfing Australia and instantly questioned her worth, while Tess opens up about feeling unqualified to co author their book and the surprising place impostor feelings showed up in motherhood.
Together they explore why the brain defaults to fear, how shame fuels the “I am not enough” narrative and what it takes to shine a light on it.
This episode gives you science backed tools and lived wisdom to help you own your seat and trust your voice.
What you will learn:
- What imposter syndrome actually is and why the brain is wired to default to self doubt.Â
- How shame fuels the belief that you are unworthy or do not belong.
- Why celebrating micro wins is essential to retrain your brain.
- The difference between fear based narratives and intuition based direction.
- How Layne prepared for leadership roles she felt unqualified for.
- Why Tess sought credentials and how she learned when enough was enough.
- A real example of impostor feelings showing up in motherhood.
- Simple language you can use to shift from fear to curiosity.
5 Key takeaways
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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.
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Naming it helps you interrupt it. Your brain magnifies threat and minimises wins The negativity bias pulls your attention toward mistakes and away from progress.
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Celebrating micro gains helps balance the system. Confidence grows through preparation and action Layne’s leadership story shows that confidence begins in the doing.
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Mentors, curiosity and preparation create safety to grow. Shame dissolves when spoken aloud Tess’s motherhood moment shows how truth checking with someone you trust breaks the power of silent self judgment.
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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.
Ready to awaken?
Monthly Live Coaching with Layne & TessÂ
Real, raw conversations + group mentoring, a vibrant community and so much more!
Connect with us
Get Awake’s transformative book: Know yourself grow yourself to live a happier more purposeful life Â
Follow Layne on Instagram @Laynebeachley
Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer
Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy
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Disclaimer
The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life.
If you’re experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast.
Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you.
