How I Found My Confidence — Lessons from the Love Your Career Podcast
How I Found My Confidence — Lessons from the Love Your Career Podcast
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you build. And for many successful leaders, it didn’t arrive overnight. It came through setbacks, support, stretch moments, and showing up before they felt ready.
On the Love Your Career podcast, Lawrence Everest asks guests to reflect on their journeys — including the times they doubted themselves, found their footing, and grew into confident professionals and leaders.
In this blog, we explore the turning points, mindsets, and people that helped them find their voice.
1. Confidence Came from Competence
Many guests talked about how confidence didn’t come first — skill did. By developing real expertise in their roles, they earned confidence over time. The more they showed they could deliver, the more belief they had in themselves.
“For me, it was about learning my craft. The more I understood the business, the more confident I felt walking into any room.”
— James Lawrence, Lifestyle Fitness
“I had to become good at the basics before I could lead. Confidence followed capability.”
— Jo Matthews, Ten Health and Fitness
“People think confidence is loud. For me, it was quiet and earned — built through years of showing up and learning.”
— Dan Edwardes, Parkour Generations
2. Support From Someone Who Believed in Them
Almost every guest who spoke about confidence mentioned someone who saw something in them before they did — a manager, mentor, or friend who nudged them forward. Sometimes belief starts with borrowing someone else’s faith in you.
“A colleague once said, ‘You’re better than you think you are.’ I carried that with me for years.”
— Julie Allen, Active Net
“I didn’t apply for the role. My boss told me I should. That moment changed everything.”
— Sarah Watts, Alliance Leisure
“I had one mentor who kept putting me forward for stretch opportunities — even when I felt I wasn’t ready. That grew my confidence more than anything else.”
— Brad Rushton, SCL Education Group
3. They Took the Leap Before They Felt Ready
Confidence isn’t always about feeling prepared. Sometimes, it’s about doing it anyway. Many leaders found that the real growth happened after they said “yes” to something they weren’t sure they could do — and proved to themselves that they could.
“The confidence came after. I took the role, I did the work, and I looked back and thought — wow, I actually did that.”
— Chloe Kinch, Proinsight
“I was terrified. But I said yes. That moment changed how I saw myself forever.”
— Rebecca Passmore, PureGym
“Sometimes you have to back yourself before the evidence shows up.”
— Carl McCartney, Les Mills
4. Owning Their Voice in the Room
Confidence isn’t just internal — it’s also about presence. Some guests reflected on the moments they decided to stop minimising themselves, start speaking up, and claim their space in the room — even if their voice shook.
“I used to apologise before I spoke. One day I decided to stop. That was the start of everything changing.”
— Sophie Lawler, Total Fitness
“The turning point was when I stopped seeking permission to contribute. I realised I had value to offer.”
— Andy King, Consultant
“I used to feel like I needed to earn the right to speak. Now I realise — if you’re in the room, you belong there.”
— David Monkhouse, Consultant
5. Time, Repetition, and the Courage to Keep Showing Up
Confidence doesn’t always arrive with one big win. For many, it builds slowly — through repetition, resilience, and continuing to show up even when they doubted themselves. The more they acted with courage, the more that courage turned into confidence.
“You don’t build confidence in theory — you build it by doing the hard things, over and over again.”
— Eve Sukhnandan, PureGym
“It took years. It’s a muscle — you train it like anything else.”
— Neil Randall, Urban Gym Group
“I still get nerves sometimes. But I trust myself to figure it out. That’s what confidence really is.”
— Huw Edwards, ukactive
Final Thoughts
Confidence isn’t linear. It’s built over time, through doubt, repetition, small wins, and brave moments. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the top, you’re not alone if you’re still working on it.
And if you don’t feel ready yet — say yes anyway. Your confidence might be just one brave step away.
🎧 For more inspiring stories, tune in to the Love Your Career podcast or explore more at loverecruitmentgroup.com.
