Feeling like a fraud despite your accomplishments? You’re not alone.

In this vulnerable and empowering episode, Sarah breaks down the psychology of imposter syndrome and how it shows up in every area of MindBodyBehavior—from supervision to health coaching to business building.

From her fear of public speaking in 2018 to launching this very podcast, Sarah shares how she learned to feel the fear and do it anyway.

In This Episode, Sarah Burby:

• Defines imposter syndrome and why it intensifies with success

• Breaks down the 5 types of imposter syndrome (and reveals her own struggles)

• Shares her journey from vomiting before presentations to confidently hosting this podcast

• Explains the “imposter loop” that traps us in perfectionism

• Reveals why her mentor refused to review her course again (and how it changed everything)

• Discusses how her upbringing shaped her adult relationship with achievement

• Offers practical tools for making space for fear while still pursuing your dreams

The 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome:

• The Perfectionist – Unrealistic standards, focus on flaws, avoids delegation

• The Expert – Fear of being exposed, constantly chasing more training

• The Soloist – Believes asking for help signals weakness

• The Natural Genius – Expects to master things instantly, struggles when challenged

• The Superwoman/Superman – Feels the need to excel in every life domain

Quotes From This Episode:
"Some days I wake up and I’m ready to freaking go. And some days I wake up and think—who put me in charge?"

"If I never did the thing that made me scared and uncomfortable, who knows where I’d be today?"

"If I said yes to this right now, I’d be reinforcing your behavior of seeking approval from me. It’s good enough. You know it’s good enough."

"I need to do this thing that feels wildly uncomfortable… because I know I need to get at least decent at public speaking."

"When was the last time you looked back at something you did well and just said: yeah. I did that?"

Sarah’s 5-Step Challenge:
After this episode, challenge yourself to:

1. Define imposter syndrome in your own words

2. Identify all the areas where it shows up in your life

3. Map out your personal “imposter loop”

4. Choose one scary thing to do this week—and visualize the outcome

5. Celebrate one thing you’re proud of from the past week

Resources Mentioned:

• Valerie Young – Psychologist who defined the 5 imposter types

• Relational Frame Theory and comparison frames

• Sarah’s “Beating Burnout” CEU course

• MindBodyBehavior supervision program

• Board-approved Health Coaching CEU cohort

• Amplify business-building program

Connect With MindBodyBehavior:
MindBodyBehavior Website⁠

BCBA Supervision Program Outside ASD⁠

32 CEU Board Approved Health Coaching Program⁠

Amplify Building Business Program⁠

Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Social Media: ⁠@mindbodybehavioranalyst

FREE Resource: Looking for a free CEU? Check out Understanding Imposter Syndrome from a Behavior Analytic Lens here.

Hashtags:
#ABARedefined #ImposterSyndrome #BehaviorAnalysis #BCBA #HealthCoaching #MindBodyBehavior #Perfectionism #RelationalFrameTheory #PublicSpeaking #Confidence #BehaviorChange