Brave Moves: Confidence, Mindset & Business Growth for Women Entrepreneurs

 Why is it so hard to walk away from something that isn’t working? Behavioral psychology explains it through the sunk cost fallacy and loss aversion, two cognitive biases that quietly influence our decision-making in business, relationships, and life. In this episode of Brave Moves, we explore how to recognize these traps and make braver, smarter choices. 

In this episode of Brave Moves, I share something unexpected that taught me a lot about confidence, decision-making, and personal growth, learning how to play poker.

When I first sat down at the table, I thought poker was all about reading other people. But I quickly learned that it’s really about understanding yourself, your emotions, your patience, and especially your relationship with loss and letting go.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken from poker is recognizing the sunk cost fallacy, which traps us when we keep investing time, money, or energy into something just because we’ve already started. Sound familiar? We do it in business, relationships, and even in our goals.

I also talk about loss aversion (that natural human tendency to fear losing more than we value winning) and how optimism bias can trick us into believing things will magically get better if we keep holding on.

Here’s the truth: sometimes, the bravest move you can make is to walk away. To stop forcing something that’s no longer serving you. To take responsibility for the next step, and trust yourself enough to start fresh.

This episode is a reminder that failure isn’t final, and walking away isn’t weakness — it’s clarity.

💭 My takeaways:

• The sunk cost fallacy makes it hard to walk away.
• Loss aversion clouds decision-making.
• We often fear failure more than we should.
• Optimism bias keeps us stuck in hope instead of action.
• It’s braver to walk away than to stay out of fear.
• Taking personal responsibility brings freedom.
• We only grow when we stop letting judgment define our choices.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to trust yourself, take control of your decisions, and make the brave move to walk away when it’s time.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Learning and Growth
02:36 Understanding the Sunk Cost Fallacy
05:47 The Impact of Optimism Bias
08:31 Embracing Change and Making Brave Moves

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...

Most of your daily decisions and emotional reactions are influenced by your unconscious mind. Neuroscience shows that negative thought patterns and subconscious beliefs can quietly shape your confidence, behavior, and results. In this episode of Brave Moves, we explore how to identify and rewire the thoughts you don’t even notice. 

I talk about how these unseen thoughts can quietly drain your mental battery, why awareness is the first step toward change, and how small, intentional habits can help you rewire the patterns that no longer serve you.

I share what I’ve learned from mentors like Coach Corinne Crabtree and how practices like mindfulness, journaling, and affirmations can help us make the unconscious conscious, giving us back the steering wheel to our own lives.

If you’ve ever wondered why you keep repeating the same patterns or feeling stuck even when you’re “doing everything right,” this episode is for you. It’s time to uncover what’s been running in the background, and take a brave move toward awareness and growth.

💫 In this episode, I cover:

• How your unconscious mind controls most of your behavior
• Simple practices to uncover hidden thoughts and fears
• The connection between mindfulness, journaling, and mental clarity
• How affirmations can help you reprogram old patterns
• Why self-awareness is the real key to lasting confidence

🎧 Tune in now — and start rewiring your mind, one brave move at a time.

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...

Ever feel like you start your day fully charged and end up drained before lunch, even though you’ve done everything right?

In this episode of Brave Moves, Julie shares a simple story about her phone battery that turns into a powerful reminder for all of us: it’s not always about how much we recharge — sometimes it’s about what’s running in the background that’s quietly draining us.

Through a relatable and honest reflection, Julie explores how our mental “apps” — the thoughts, habits, and subconscious loops we leave open — can sap our energy and confidence. She challenges you to take a brave look at what’s truly depleting your emotional battery and start closing those invisible tabs that keep you stuck.

Tune in to learn:
   •   Why feeling drained doesn’t always mean you need more rest
   •   How subconscious thoughts and habits quietly drain your focus and joy
   •   A simple habit you can practice today to “close your mental apps”
   •   How to identify what gives you energy versus what quietly steals it

 Join the conversation: What’s draining your battery that you might not even notice? Share your thoughts with Julie on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/julie_deluccacollins/

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...

In this episode of brave moves I share with you 
 one of my favorite concepts to help be being to reality the dreams and visions for my life. 

There are so many times in which we get caught up in a messy middle or give into the promise of temporary pleasure by compromising the greater payoff we can gain in the future. 

I hope this episode inspires you and gives you a few ideas on how to make small brave moves for your life today.  Please tag me on Instagram as you get ready to make you own #bravemoves toward your future self. 

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...

In this episode, I talk about the importance of living life without letting fear hold us back. Fear is a natural part of being human, it’s not something to eliminate, but something to understand and move through. I share a few personal stories, including one about reconnecting with my mom, and how those moments reminded me that bravery doesn’t mean we’re never scared, it means we move forward with the fear.

I also dive into the power of intention and how small, courageous actions can lead to real growth and fulfillment. My hope is that this conversation inspires you to take your own brave steps toward the life you truly want.

💫 In this episode, I share:

• The perspective shift that comes when you count your days, and choose to make them count.
• Why creating joyful memories is a true act of courage.
• How to live in the present without being haunted by “what’s next.”
• A simple mindset reminder to help you build a meaningful, joy-filled life.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

🌐 Connect with Me

• 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/goconfidentlyjulie
  
  
• 💬 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goconfidentlyjulie/
  
  
• 💌 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://juliedeluccacollins.substack.com
  
  

💪 Take the Next Brave Step

• ✨ Download: The 10-Day Brave Moves Challenge & Journal — build your confidence one small habit at a time → [insert link to your PDF or opt-in page]
• 💬 Join the conversation: What brave move are you taking this week? Tag me on social @Julie_DeLuccaColllins and use #BraveMoves so I can cheer you on!
• 📚 Read my book: Confident You: Simple Habits to Live the Life You Have Imagined → [Amazon link]

💖 Related Resources

• 🎥 Movie Mentioned: Strictly Ballroom (1992) — where the quote “A life lived in fear is a life half lived” first inspired me.
• 🧠Watch my TEDx Talk HERE

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...

A few weeks ago, I went on a girls’ trip to Cape Cod, Sandwich, Massachusetts, to be exact. It was one of those perfect weekends filled with laughter, sunshine, wine, and conversation that remind you what really matters in life.

While we sat on the beach, my friend Melissa, whom I’ve known for more than 30 years, started telling stories of all the adventures we’ve shared over the decades. From Mexico City to Spain to Canada, we laughed until our stomachs hurt, reliving each ridiculous and beautiful memory.

And as we talked, something hit me: life really is made up of these moments.

I recently read that most Americans live about 27,000 days. When I did the math, I realized that I’ve already lived about 20,000 of them. That number shook me. It created this sense of urgency — not fear, but awareness — of how precious our time truly is.

So here’s my brave move for you today:
Stop worrying about what you haven’t done yet. Stop worrying about getting older or being enough. Instead, focus on creating the moments that make you come alive — the kind that turn into stories you’ll tell with joy years from now.

Because at the end of the day, what truly matters isn’t how many days we’ve lived, but how many memories we’ve made.

💫 In this episode, I share:

• The perspective shift that comes when you count your days and choose to make them count.
• Why creating joyful memories is an actual act of courage.
• How to live in the present without being haunted by “what’s next.”
• A simple mindset reminder to help you build a meaningful, joy-filled life.

🎧 Tune in to this episode of Brave Moves — and take a moment to remember that your best stories are still waiting to be written.

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...

In this episode, I discuss the journey to confidence and the importance of self-reflection. I share the concept of 'believing mirrors', people who see the good in us and support our growth. We need to surround ourselves with positive influences. Friend, find your own believing mirrors to help on your journey to self-discovery and empowerment.

Takeaways:

• Confidence is a strategy that can be developed.
• Self-reflection is crucial for personal growth.
• It's important to recognize when we are not being our true selves.
• Leaving a negative situation can lead to self-exploration.
• Believing mirrors help us see our potential and goodness.
• Surrounding ourselves with supportive people is essential.
• Negative thoughts are a natural tendency of our brains.
• We should actively seek out positive influences in our lives.
• Believing mirrors can help us achieve our audacious goals.
• Every day is an opportunity to take brave moves towards our dreams.

Please share this episode with someone who can use inspiration for a Brave Move. 

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...

In this conversation, Julie DeLucca-Collins shares valuable life lessons learned from her dog, Yogi. She emphasizes the importance of facing fears and taking brave steps, even when scared. Through Yogi's experiences with navigating stairs, she illustrates how we can learn to confront our own challenges and embrace bravery in our lives. The message is clear: show up scared, take that first step, and keep moving forward for personal growth.


Takeaways

• Yogi's behavior teaches us about facing fears.
• We often avoid things that terrify us.
• Bravery is about showing up despite fear.
• Taking the first step is crucial for progress.
• Daily challenges can be faced with courage.
• It's okay to feel scared while moving forward.
• Personal growth often requires brave moves.
• We can learn valuable lessons from our pets.
• Embrace the discomfort of new challenges.
• Do it for yourself, not just for others.

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply show up.

In this deeply personal first episode of Brave Moves, I share the story of my dad’s final days,  and the unexpected words that changed how I saw courage forever. When my dad said to me, “You are so brave,” I didn’t believe him. I didn’t feel brave. I just showed up, uncertain and heartbroken. But that moment became the foundation for everything I've learned (and now I teach) about confidence.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why bravery isn’t about fearlessness, it’s about presence.
• How small acts of courage become the building blocks of confidence.
• The truth about showing up when you don’t have a script or a plan.
• Why community and connection matter when we feel most afraid.

Brave Moves is about finding strength in the small steps, the ones that don’t feel big or shiny, but change everything over time.

This is an intimate reflection on loss, courage, and what it truly means to live, and lead, with confidence.

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...

What if confidence isn’t about being fearless, but about moving forward while you’re still scared?

In this first episode of Brave Moves, we’re kicking things off with the truth about confidence — it’s not something you’re born with, it’s something you build through small, consistent actions.

You’ll hear how to:

• Start before you feel ready
• Reframe fear as a sign of growth
• Take one small step that builds momentum
• Create tiny habits that strengthen your confidence every day

This show is your daily reminder that brave doesn’t mean bold or loud — it means choosing to show up for yourself, even when your voice shakes a little.

🎧 Listen in for inspiration, motivation, and practical steps to help you make your next brave move — today.

If you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though.

Support the show

For more about the Recalibrate Retreat, visit my website.

Get $150 off your FACTOR Meal Plan. 

Brave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.

If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.

Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!

Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.

If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching p...