Dr. Ivan Joseph is tackling a double-sided problem: people—especially those from marginalized communities—are battling self-doubt in systems that are stacked against them, while many well-meaning allies feel unsure how to move from guilt and outrage to meaningful, sustained action. In this episode he focuses on how to build real self-confidence and belonging, and how to turn tiny “1%” daily choices into both personal breakthroughs and tangible social change. 

In today’s conversation Ivan Joseph explores what it means to build genuine self-confidence and belonging in a world still shaped by systemic racism and bias. He shares his journey from growing up in Guyana and a tough Toronto neighbourhood to becoming a national championship coach, PhD sport psychologist, and university vice president—yet still hearing the “twice as good” mantra every Black kid knows. He and Dr. Wells dive into allyship, protests, and why performative, “tourist” activism isn’t enough; instead they talk about micro-behaviours, access to education, and the power of 1% changes that compound over years. 

They finish by unpacking Ivan’s core work on self-confidence—self-talk, affirmations, gratitude letters, and his “You Got This” letter—and how those same tools help us stay in hard conversations about race, leadership, and change.

You will learn why Ivan defines self-confidence as a skill—the genuine belief in your ability to accomplish the task at hand and handle adversity—rather than a fixed personality trait, and how that belief drives performance in sport, work, and life. You will learn how he separates negative feedback that tears you down from critical feedback that still supports your growth, and why curating who you listen to is essential for high performers. 

You will learn the practical tools he uses with teams and executives: writing a “You Got This” letter listing your past wins, using three daily affirmations, and writing gratitude letters that boost optimism and rewire how you respond to setbacks. You will also learn his 1% approach to social change—simple daily acts like who you sit beside, who you greet, and where you offer free access to your work—that expand belonging and opportunity, especially through education.

You will discover that confidence and allyship both grow the same way: through repeated reps under tension, not one-off grand gestures or viral posts. You will discover how changing the words you use with yourself—shifting from “I can’t” to “I’ve got this, and here’s the proof”—reshapes your beliefs, your behaviour, and ultimately the impact you have on the people and systems around you.

Many people feel stuck between self-doubt (“Who am I to do this?”) and overwhelm about injustice (“It’s too big; nothing I do matters.”). Dr. Joseph’s work bridges that gap by offering concrete mental tools to build self-confidence and a clear roadmap of small, intentional actions so listeners can both pursue ambitious goals and contribute to a more equitable world—without burning out or checking out.