Episode Description

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Katie Ford - a veterinary surgeon, speaker, and founder whose work around imposter syndrome has quietly helped thousands feel less alone.

We talk about what it’s like to build a life that looks successful on paper, while privately carrying self-doubt, perfectionism, and the fear of being found out. About the masks we wear to cope, the cost of holding it all together, and the slow, often uncomfortable work of learning how to see your own worth.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered whether they truly belong in the room — or felt like confidence was something other people were given, not something they’re allowed to grow into.

Show notes

A calm, honest conversation about imposter syndrome, burnout, identity, and the quiet shift from proving yourself to trusting yourself.

Themes explored

1. Feeling like an imposter - even when you’re capable
2. The pressure of being “the clever one”
3. Perfectionism as protection
4. Burnout and emotional armour
5. Being seen by the right person
6. Learning to belong to yourself

Key Takeaways

1. Feeling like you don’t belong doesn’t mean you don’t - it often means you care deeply.
2. You don’t become worthy by achieving more - worth was already there.
3. Coping mechanisms can harden us without making us broken.
4. Self-kindness can feel unfamiliar before it feels safe.
5. Belonging doesn’t come from certainty — it comes from staying with yourself.
6. Sometimes the work isn’t becoming someone new, but remembering who you already are.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. Katie Ford Vet
2. Vet Empowered
3. Katie Ford Vet Instagram
4. Books by Kristin Neff