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About Me

I conquered my anxiety and imposter syndrome - and I can help you do the same.

Many of my clients have big dreams.

From a young age, we're curious and engaged. We love to learn and geek out over things that others don't always find interesting.

In my case, my love of reading led me to become an English professor. I became the first in my family to go to college, earned an Ivy-League Ph.D., and secured a tenure-track position as an English professor.

My life felt complete that spring morning when I received my Ph.D. and celebrated with my family, including my adorable niece and nephews.

But a competing belief undermined me.

Family and social influences taught me I had to get things "right" on the first try and not make mistakes. Mistakes equalled failure - which I internalized as a sign there was something irrevocably wrong with me.

The higher I rose in my career, the more I encountered challenges that I couldn't possibly conquer on the first try. My anxiety and imposter syndrome became so overwhelming that I burned out and left academia.

After burnout, I took less-challenging and less-fulfilling jobs that paid the bills. I felt resigned to a life of "working for the weekend." Any time the old urge to achieve whispered at me, I suppressed it.

But I could only suppress it for so long. When I found myself in a position that offered little fulfillment and growth opportunities, the urge to grow started gnawing at me.

I wanted more, but didn't trust my ability to pursue something else lest I crash and burn again.

This misalignment between my situation and my desire to grow became intolerable.

Most people with imposter syndrome start out with big dreams.

From a young age, we're curious and engaged. We love to learn and geek out over things that others don't always find interesting.

In my case, my love of reading led me to become an English professor. I became the first in my family to go to college, earned an Ivy-League Ph.D., and secured a tenure-track position as an English professor.

My life felt complete that spring morning when I received my Ph.D. and celebrated with my family, including my adorable niece and nephews.

But a competing belief undermined me.

Family and social influences taught me I had to get things "right" on the first try and not make mistakes. Mistakes equalled failure - which I internalized as a sign there was something irrevocably wrong with me.

The higher I rose in my career, the more I encountered challenges that I couldn't possibly conquer on the first try. My imposter syndrome became so overwhelming that I burned out and left academia.

After burnout, I took less-challenging and less-fulfilling jobs that paid the bills. I felt resigned to a life of "working for the weekend." Any time the old urge to achieve whispered at me, I suppressed it.

But I could only suppress it for so long. When I found myself in a position that offered little fulfillment and growth opportunities, the urge to grow started gnawing at me.

I wanted more, but didn't trust my ability to pursue something else lest I crash and burn again.

This misalignment between my situation and my desire to grow became intolerable.
Susie smiling on a stone wall with her legs crossed and barefoot.

How did I break through?

I hired a life coach.

Through coaching, I uncovered and shifted the unconscious beliefs that were keeping me stuck:

  • "You can't make mistakes - otherwise you're a failure." 
  • "You're not worthy unless you are achieving." 
  • "Until you prove yourself, you're nothing."
  • "You need other people's approval to be worthy."

I began to believe new thoughts that empowered me:

  • "All great things come through trial and error. No one gets it on the first try."
  • "You don't need to prove your worthiness to anyone. You were born inherently worthy and with your own unique value."
  • "There will be some people who will approve of you and some that won't. The most important person that has to approve of me is ME."
  • "I have something to offer that MATTERS - and I'm going to share it, no matter what." 

Coaching was so impactful that I decided to become a coach and help other people like me. I earned my coaching certification and Master Coach certification with the Life Coach School, then did a deep dive into neuroscience and the nervous system to understand how anxiety, fear, and stress responses occur biologically and physiologically - so I could solve for both the nervous system and the brain root causes of anxiety and imposter syndrome.

What I've learned has helped me and dozens of my clients overcome anxiety and imposter syndrome. 

IMPOSTER SYNDROME NO LONGER RULES MY LIFE.
  • I set goals for myself and take action because I now believe in my own capacity to achieve what I set out to do. 
  • I no longer fear people in authority, nor fawn to avoid being criticized. 
  • I speak directly about what's working and not working and have the emotional resilience to handle whatever other people say in return.
  • I embrace mistakes and failures as signs that I'm growing and learning.
  • When negative feelings like anger, fear, and anxiety arise, I don't resist them or push them down. I deal with them and keep going. 
My most surprising result? My marriage went from good to AMAZING.

I had no idea my imposter syndrome was impacting my marriage. Then I realized my unconscious fear of disappointing others (and of others disappointing me if they did not give me what I wanted) was causing me to NOT speak up for what I wanted in my marriage.

I went from feeling resentful and lashing out when I felt unheard to taking responsibility for communicating what I want and need - and what I'm willing to do or not do. We now have easy conversations where we figure out together what will work for each of us AND for both of us. No more fighting about in-laws, chores, or money!

Be the person you were meant to be in the world.

You're amazing and talented. My dream for you is that you stop believing the old thought that you're not "good enough" and the related fear that you'll never be able to become the person you are meant to be.

People like us CAN overcome the stress, anxiety, and fear associated with imposter syndrome - and recover our love of learning and the excitement of growing and developing our capabilities with courage and conviction.

My mission is to help YOU feel empowered in every area of your life so you can achieve your career, relationship, and life goals and become the contribution you are meant to be in this world.

I want this for YOU. And that is why I created the program I wish I'd had 30 years go: my signature six-month one-on-one coaching program "Create Your Empowered Life."  

I KNOW you have it in you to break through the anxiety and imposter syndrome and fulfill your potential. And I KNOW that my six-month one-on-one coaching program will help you achieve it.

Learn More About My Coaching Program

You only have one life. Let's make it AMAZING.

The first step to working together is a free 1-hour consultation call.

On this call we'll discuss what you want to change in your life and how my coaching program can help you. I'll answer all your questions.

If we determine we're not a good fit for coaching, I'll offer suggestions for other resources.

If we determine we're a good fit for coaching, I'll tell you what it would look like to work together. You'll then choose whether or not you want to move forward with coaching together.

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