I coach people to make positive life changes through mindset, movement, and nutrition. The movement and nutrition work is critical — your body and energy are foundational—but the real magic happens when we dive into mindset, especially around self-worth and confidence.

Here’s the hard truth: there’s a confidence gap between men and women. Women are incredible at so many things—but truly knowing that we are worth it, whatever “it” looks like for you right now, is often not our strongest suit.

Men don’t let their doubts stop them as often as women do. A Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for a job or promotion when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them. What doomed them was not their actual ability, but rather the decision not to try — Jack Zenger

What Real Confidence Feels Like

Real, lasting confidence isn’t just about positive thinking, vision boards, or daily affirmations (though those help). True confidence comes from subconscious self-worth — knowing, at your core, that you are worthy of change, growth, and success.

Neuroscience backs this up: our brains respond to repeated thoughts and feelings, forming neural pathways that reinforce our self-image. When we embody confidence internally, our brain and body respond as if that confidence is already real, shaping our behaviours and outcomes. ([Dr. Joe Dispenza, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself])

The Inner Work That Changes Everything

No amount of “I think I can” will get you your dream career, your ideal health, or the life you’re craving—if you don’t truly believe you’re worth it. Confidence that sticks comes from:

1. Acknowledging your worth: Start by honestly identifying your strengths, values, and what makes you uniquely capable.

2. Feeling it in your body: Confidence isn’t just a thought—it’s a physiological state. Stand tall, breathe fully, and notice the sensations of strength and calm that come with claiming your worth.

3. Acting from your inner belief: When you take aligned action from a place of real self-worth, momentum builds quickly. The brain responds to action + belief, creating lasting change.

If you try to take steps toward your goals without that inner belief, the change often doesn’t stick. But if you move forward with quiet, unshakeable confidence—built from genuine self-worth—you become magnetic. You attract opportunities and momentum because your brain, body, and behaviours are fully aligned with the person you’re becoming.

How to Start Building Inner Confidence

• Pause and reflect: What change do you truly want to make? Do you feel, at your deepest level, that you are worth it?

• Sit with your feelings: Visualise yourself succeeding, not just in your mind but in your body. Let your nervous system experience what confidence feels like.

• Take small aligned actions: Act from this state of worthiness. Even small steps send powerful signals to your brain and reinforce new patterns of self-belief.

Doing this inner work can be confronting but it’s also deeply empowering. It’s about moving past self-doubt, rewiring your mind, and embodying the confidence you’ve always wanted to have.

Your Challenge

Right now, take a moment to answer honestly:

• What is it you want to change?

• Do you truly believe you are worth it?

• Can you feel yourself as the person who’s capable of achieving it?

If not, now is the moment to do the inner work. Because the truth is: you are completely and utterly worth it…you just need to believe it, deeply and fully.

Image:  Bas van Est