Did you know that women typically apply for jobs only when they meet 100% of the qualifications, while men apply when they hit just 60%? Even more concerning, nearly 80% of women struggle with low self-esteem and shy away from self-advocacy at work.

This isn’t a competence gap. It’s a confidence gap.

I sat down with Confidence Coach Simone Knego to discuss how women can start chipping away at these statistics by building unshakeable self-confidence.

Simone is a best-selling author, two-time TEDx speaker, and the co-host of the podcast Her Unshakeable Confidence. But her journey wasn't a straight line. For years, she battled her inner critic of self-doubt rooted in past trauma and the pressures of comparison.

From raising six children to summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, Simone discovered that confidence isn't something you are born with; it’s something you build in the messy, chaotic moments of everyday life. In this episode, she shares the raw truth about the cost of under-confidence and the practical tools she used to go from unsure to unshakeable.

Simone teaches us:

• The REAL Method: A four-step framework (Respect yourself, Embrace your failures, Ask for what you want, Live without limits) to build lasting self-esteem.
• The "Control-Alt-Delete" Hack: A mental strategy to identify false narratives.
• How to rewire your brain: Why positive affirmations work scientifically and the specific "5 I's" Simone uses every morning.
• Reframing Imposter Syndrome: How to stop justifying your existence by dropping the word "just" (e.g., "I'm just a mom") and why feeling underqualified is often a sign of growth.

Like this episode? There's a whole community of Bold Movers over on Substack. Join us and build your bold moves muscle with us! https://kristenrocco.substack.com

Connect with Host Kristen Rocco

On Substack: https://kristenrocco.substack.com/

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenrocco/

Take the listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/hBBKkKFVfbfzCFREA

Connect with Guest Simone Knego

Website: simoneknego.com

Book: Real Confidence: A Simple Guide to Go from Unsure to Unshakeable at realconfidencebook.com

Simone's reflection on how climbing Mount Kilimanjaro changed her life: https://simoneknego.com/how-climbing-a-mountain-can-change-your-life/