Coaching the Athletic Mind Podcast - Episode 28 - Navigating Imposter Syndrome in Business and in Sports with Breana Field (Part 1)

In episode 28 of Coaching The Athletic Mind, host Megan Weaver discusses imposter syndrome—feeling like a fraud despite evidence of success—and how it affects athletes and professionals. She notes that even elite performers, like an Olympic pitcher at UCLA, experience it, and explains how one mistake can trigger thoughts like “I don’t belong here.” Megan and guest Breana Field connect imposter syndrome to performance-based work, including anxiety about charging for work and fear of not meeting expectations, sometimes leading to sleepless nights. They emphasize that people often set unrealistic standards for themselves despite being chosen by coaches or clients, and that negative, protective “primitive brain” thinking can intensify at night. Coping strategies shared include holding onto past positive feedback, documenting praise to revisit when doubt spikes, and building processes that reduce anxiety—such as adding preparation time and setting low expectations at the start of a project. Megan encourages listeners to identify personal routines that reduce imposter feelings before games.