Why Do High Achievers So Often Feel Like Frauds?

Leanne Sklavenitis

5d • Wins!

This is something I recognise in people all the time… especially in capable, driven people.

From the outside, they’re doing well. Holding things together. Achieving things. Helping everyone else.

And yet internally? They’re questioning themselves constantly.

“Am I actually good enough?”

“What if people realise I’m winging it?”

“Maybe I just got lucky.”

It’s amazing how many high achievers quietly carry imposter syndrome.

And honestly, I think part of it comes from caring deeply. You want to do well. You hold yourself to high standards. You focus on what you haven’t done yet instead of everything you already have.

What I’ve noticed over the years, both in the fitness industry and through speaking and coaching, is that the people who doubt themselves the most are often the ones pushing themselves to grow.

Meanwhile, the people with the least self-awareness are often the most confident in the room 😂

But here's what I think is important… Confidence doesn’t usually come before you do the thing.

It comes from continuing to show up. From repetition. From experience. From backing yourself enough to keep going, even when you feel uncomfortable.

And feeling uncomfortable doesn’t mean you’re a fraud. It usually means you’re stretching yourself. The goal isn’t to completely eliminate self-doubt. I don’t even know if that’s realistic. It’s to stop letting that doubt make your decisions for you... Because if you wait until you feel 100% confident before you try something new, speak up, back yourself, or take the next step… you’ll probably stay stuck for a very long time.

Have you ever struggled with imposter syndrome, even when you were actually doing well? And what helps you quiet that inner critic when it kicks in?

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