Strong Body, Steady Mind: Training Through Mental Burnout (Without Quitting)

Imposter syndrome.
I’ve talked about it before, I’ve talked to clients about it, and I’ve experienced it more than once in my own life. The problem is, so many of us go through this without even realizing what it is.

Before we get too far into how imposter syndrome impacts you, we need to clearly define what it is—and what it isn’t.

Imposter syndrome is when you doubt your accomplishments. You feel fraudulent, like you haven’t really succeeded, and that you don’t deserve the credit you’ve received.

Imposter syndrome is not a mental health disorder. It’s also not just your normal level of self-doubt. Many people experience self-doubt from time to time, but imposter syndrome is different. It’s that persistent, nagging feeling that you are a fraud or a fake. That you don’t really know what you’re talking about.

Yes, imposter syndrome can appear in anyone, but research shows it’s most often experienced by high achievers. After last week’s blog, when I covered more about women and why we struggle so much with self-confidence, I was curious to see if that trend also applies to imposter syndrome. And sure enough—it does.

Imposter syndrome often shows up in women who are high achieving. Why? For the same reasons women struggle with confidence. Women are often held to a higher standard. We’re expected to be perfect. On top of that, cultural norms still tell women to be modest about their accomplishments. That mix can lead us to downplay our successes, attribute them to external factors, and reject praise—all of which fuel the imposter cycle.

As a running coach, I personally struggled with this. Logically, I knew I had the training and the background to back up my knowledge. I knew I was an expert in helping runners who’ve struggled with injuries stay consistent. But that didn’t stop me from constantly wondering if I was really enough.

• Parenting or personal life: Maybe you feel like you don’t measure up as a mom, or that you’re “faking it” as you juggle all the roles you’re expected to play.

• Leadership or authority roles: Even with a track record of success, it’s easy to feel like someone is going to “find out” you’re not as capable as they think.

The Comparison Trap

Are you constantly comparing yourself to others? Feeling like you aren’t doing enough? Worrying that someone will figure out you don’t have it all together? You’re not alone. And this pressure has only become stronger with social media at our fingertips 24/7.

It’s easy to scroll and see the highlight reels:

• The perfect house.

• The kids eating homemade, organic meals with zero preservatives.

• The person crushing every single workout.

• The woman who seems to handle every job or challenge perfectly.

Here’s the truth: none of these glimpses into someone else’s life are the full picture. That 30-second snapshot might look perfect, but it isn’t reality.

And when you compare yourself to those illusions, not only does it destroy your confidence—it can also make you feel like an imposter in your own life. You start believing you’re “failing” at being successful, at being a good mom, or at making progress in your workouts because you can’t “do it all.”

Root Causes & Triggers

As I mentioned earlier this month, women are more likely to struggle with self-confidence than men — and the same dynamic often fuels imposter syndrome. Society trains girls and women from a young age to be humble and not to brag. Meanwhile, men are often rewarded socially for being assertive or self-promoting. (Remember how girls get labeled “bossy” while boys are called “assertive”?)

We also compare ourselves constantly to images on social media. We hold ourselves to unrealistically high standards and measure our messy, full lives against curated glimpses of someone else’s best moments. Social media can be a wonderful tool for connection and discovery, but it’s a double-edged sword when it sets us up for comparison and perfectionism.

Other common triggers include:

• Transition phases (new job, promotion, new parenthood).

• Being “the only one” in a room (the only woman, the only person of color, the only parent).

• High expectations from others or internal perfectionist tendencies.

Reality check. Not sure if you’re being hard on yourself because you genuinely need to improve—or because you’re doubting yourself? Ask: Would I say this to a friend? If the answer is no, then stop saying it to yourself.

You can stay connected to movement without demanding more from yourself.

Here are a few things I often recommend to clients:

• A 10-minute walk without your earbuds

• A "no-watch" run where you just move by feel

• A nighttime stretch session instead of a strength workout

• Playing outside with your kids or dancing in the kitchen

These aren't shortcuts. They're lifelines.

Some of my best thinking happens on no-pressure runs. They remind me why I started in the first place.

Turning Imposter Syndrome Into a Signal, Not a Stop Sign

Imposter syndrome is challenging — but it doesn’t have to control you. Instead of letting it stop you, use it as a signal.

When you feel like a fraud, it often means you’re doing something that matters — you’re pushing outside your comfort zone or stepping into authority. That discomfort can be evidence that you’re growing.

So take it as a cue to dig deeper: remind yourself why you’re qualified, why you should be doing this, and what progress you’ve already made. Don’t wait for the feeling to go away — for most of us, it won’t disappear on its own. The cycle breaks with consistent work: practicing the interrupts, leaning into action despite the doubt, and building evidence of competence over time.

You already care — that’s why this stings. Let that care be fuel, not a judge. Keep showing up, keep building, and remember: feeling like an impostor doesn’t mean you are one. It means you’re growing.