Fake as in “fake it till you make it.”
I told someone to fake it today, and his story, along with mine, needs to be told in a way that might help you, might give you a little golden light to go about your day.
I’ve been dealing with a lot of flaky people in a certain area of business. I can’t get customer service representatives to message back or help with issues. It’s been frustrating. And let’s be real, if you do manage to get any customer service these days, it’s usually a bot. And don’t act like I’m the only one who starts yelling at the computer or phone, because I know you do too. We are human. This is what humans do! We want to interact.
Then I met this incredible human being, kind, patient, and someone who actually made me feel like he cared and wanted to help. That level of authenticity and kindness ignited a new friendship. He’s done so much for me, and I told him he needed to come to Nashville for a photo shoot. He keeps saying he’s blown away by my kindness, but the truth is, I’m thinking the same thing about him.
As we talked more, I found out why he’s so kind. He shared with me that he used to weigh 440 lbs. He’s lost a significant amount of weight and is on a powerful journey toward health and wellness. But in his heart, he still sees himself as that man who was often overlooked.
For anyone who has battled addiction, trauma, or hardship, understand this: when a new group of people meets you, we don’t see your past. We see the person you present to the world today. You can literally wake up tomorrow and choose to step into a new version of yourself. And while the past might still whisper, you can push forward, one step at a time. Fake it till you make it.
Every single day that our eyes open and our feet hit the floor is a gift. The greatest gift. Life itself. If we truly appreciated that in its purest form, so many of the things we stress about wouldn’t hold the same weight. While health and fitness are crucial—and you know they are at the core of my life—what truly drives me is confidence. Helping others feel good about themselves. That’s my purpose.
I told this incredible man to remember the windshield in front of him and the rearview mirror. There’s a reason the windshield is massive compared to that tiny rearview mirror, because what’s ahead is far greater than what’s behind. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Eventually, you’ll arrive, and you won’t even remember how, but you will.
The book and movie The Secret illustrate this beautifully. Imagine driving in the dark with your headlights on. You can only see a few feet in front of you, but you keep going, trusting the road ahead. You don’t need to see your destination to know you’ll get there. That’s the power of having a vision.
Now, I want to share something personal. I was never overweight. I haven’t battled substance addiction or the kind of setbacks that make for dramatic redemption stories. But I do have my own voice of doubt. My own imposter syndrome. And I know many of you, no matter how powerful or successful, struggle with it too.
When I was about six or seven, there was an Easter bonnet decoration contest in my neighborhood. I was so excited. I scoured the house, gathering every little thing I could glue onto a hat. I thought I had a masterpiece. I rode my bike to the park, eager to sign up. But when I arrived, I saw these elaborate, intricate bonnets. Even as a child, I wondered—how did the other kids make such perfect creations? I felt a pit in my stomach. When they announced the winners, I stood there with my little, homemade, “ratty” hat. No prize. The other girls laughed at my creation. It crushed me.
It wasn’t until years later that I realized something: those kids didn’t make their hats. Their parents did. I made mine. And that was the real prize. Fast forward to today, I do a lot of DIY, and I’m damn proud of that. But every now and then, when someone in business ignores me, ghosts me, or doesn’t take me seriously, I feel like that little girl again—standing there with her hat. I know many of you have your own “ratty hat” moments.
Imposter syndrome is real. No matter how much therapy we have, no matter how many motivational podcasts we listen to, we all have past wounds that creep in. But here’s the truth: tomorrow is a new day. That tiny rearview mirror is nothing compared to the wide-open road ahead. There are new friends, new relationships, and new opportunities waiting for you. It’s absolutely glorious.
A friend of mine, someone you’d never expect to doubt herself, is a powerhouse in every sense of the word. She’s a best-selling author, a respected attorney, a devoted mother, and a straight-up “She.E.O.” who commands boardrooms and bedtime stories with equal brilliance. And yet, on a heartfelt phone call one day, she admitted something that stopped me in my tracks: even she struggles with imposter syndrome. Despite her accolades, her intellect, and the lives she’s changed, there are still moments when she wonders if she’s enough. That kind of vulnerability from a woman who seems to have it all reminded me just how sneaky and universal this feeling can be. She told me about a podcast that helps her feel seen, strong, and centered when that inner voice of doubt starts to whisper. I’m sharing that same resource with you here, because if she needs a reminder of her power now and then, maybe we all do.
And if that little voice of doubt starts creeping in, just remember, you’re not alone. But also remember, you can always do what generations of strong people before you have done: Fake it till you make it.
Because, let’s be honest, a lot of what you see out there, online, in entertainment, is just smoke and mirrors. But you? You’re the real deal. And the world is waiting to see you shine.
#GoldyKnows #GoldyLocks #GoldysCorner
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