The Day I Became Real: Imposter Syndrome and Authentic Living

I became real in August of 1988. On my first day as a clinical intern at Henry Ford Hospital, I walked into Room Three and met a young man named Nelson — and nothing I had been trained to do prepared me for what happened next.This episode is the story underneath this entire podcast. It's about imposter syndrome, yes. But more than that, it's about the moment we face a choice: put the mask back on, or walk back in as ourselves. Nelson taught me that people don't need a perfect version of you. They need a real one.In this episode:What the Velveteen Rabbit taught me about becoming realMy first day as a clinical intern and the room I wasn't ready forNelson — and what he said when I stood to leaveThe question underneath all of it: who are you when you stop performing?FULL SHOW NOTESRead the full blog-style show notes, links, and reflections from this episode here:https://drloristevic.com/imposter-syndrome/Join The REAL ConversationWant to go deeper than the podcast? The REAL Conversation is my free monthly live gathering for women who want thoughtful, honest conversations about life, identity, relationships, caregiving, confidence, and what it means to live more truthfully.https://drloristevic.com/real-womens-collective/Join the Caregiver Circle™Are you a caregiver for somebody you love, particularly someone with dementia, and you feel overwhelmed and isolated? Consider joining our online, live supportive community. We are here to share the journey with you.https://drloristevic.com/caregiver-circle/