Imposter Syndrome - Propel Women

Julie Dokken @ art School feeling like an imposter

Imposter Syndrome is something I know all to well. It's hard to say, but it may be the one issue that kept me bound and complacent for most of my life. It's an awful feeling to be in a room of your peers, and be overcome with the feeling that you shouldn't be there and everyone knows it. The pressure to run out of the room and never return is for real! But you know what else is for real? ~  The desire to live! ~ The desire to be used in a unique and special way by the Lord. ~ The desire to make a difference in this life. ~ The desire to not let fear control your story. 

After observing a room full of people one day I realized that no one was paying attention to me at all. Everyone was way more concerned with themselves and how they were appearing, to judge or notice me. I became free that day. The belief that I was virtually invisible to others opened the door for me to exist and grow and learn, and by the time anyone knew I was there I had developed some confidence and was ready to step out. It truly happened just like that and I still use this method to this day to overcome Imposter Syndrome.

Click this link for an even better article on Imposter syndrome

                                          Imposter Syndrome - Propel Women: Propel.

Lynda Suttles / Personal Trainer / Fitness Coach / Entrepreneur

Lynda Suttles: Personal Trainer & Fitness Coach 

Julie:  You were a barber for 24 years. You have 2 children and have been married to your best friend Greg for 25 years this October,  but at 39yrs old something happened. Tell us what that was and how it changed  the direction of your life.

Lynda:  Around 2010  I realized I just wasn't happy. I was miserable. I was depressed, and I was about 20 lbs over weight. I just felt empty inside. I didn't feel like I belonged - like I had any identity. I was a mom and a business owner and everything seemed to be going good - I had nothing to complain about, but I wasn't happy, so I decided to go see a doctor. My doctor asked me 3 questions.

  1. What do I do for me time?
  2. What did I eat on a daily basis.
  3. Did I get any exercise.

 Julie:  Those are 3 very pointed and powerful questions I think all women need to ask themselves! It's so common for us as women to believe it's selfish to invest any of our precious time in ourselves.

Lynda:  My answer was - I didn't take any time for myself because I was always working and  busy with my children and their needs and helping my husband with whatever he needed. I ate very unhealthy because I just didn't know how to eat healthy. I ate out of convenience more than anything, and I didn't take time for exercise because I was too busy.
  A few days after my Dr Appt. I had insomnia and I was up eating cheese puffs and I saw an infomercial  about  P90X.  I heard the people talk about their transformations and I was really inspired so I took out a credit card and ordered it. I committed to it 100%..  I got results just doing the workout and I lost 20lbs. I thought - this is amazing, and I wanted to go for it and take another round of P90X, but the diet part I felt I needed accountability. I needed accountability to stick to it and I needed to learn how to eat better because I really had no idea how to do it. I just knew how I was eating was bad.
 I started looking online and I found a coach on Youtube. I joined her First Challenge group on Facebook and I really enjoyed the accountability and the support. I made it through the first round of P90X with the support group, and having a coach, and thats when I knew that being a coach was something I wanted to do. I could see myself being a coach and helping others get the results that I did.  I signed up as a coach and started doing it in my spare time.

Julie:  Are you still a Shakeology coach?

Lynda Suttles: www.Shakeology.com/LyndaLean

Lynda:   Yes. I am still a Shakeology coach and I still receive a commission if anyone orders from me but my coaching is free. You do not have to order Shakeology, I will help you anyway. And yes, after 41/2 years I'm still on Shakeology. I won't go without it not even a day . It really does make me feel better.  I'm regular, I have energy and I crave healthy foods.

Julie:   So how did all this transition into the major life change it has become?

Lynda:   Well as I was coaching and helping other people I began to make money. It just came natural. It was something I really enjoyed doing.  After 31/2 years I really started seeing the potential of it as a career. I had already replaced the income I was making cutting hair and I realized I didn't have to cut hair anymore.  So I put my shop up forsale and became a full time coach!  Now I'm a certified personal trainer and I work one on one with people to help them reach their goals.

Julie:   So you totally reinvented your life! Awesome! Whats in the future for Lynda?

Entrepreneur/ Fitness Guru/ Life coach

Lynda:  I'm training right now to compete in a fitness competition this summer in Nashville. It's just all about training and trying to keep my nutrition on point.

Julie: Are you happy?

Lynda:  Yes, because my happiness comes more from helping other people than it does from an "inner-thing". I am happy because I'm doing what I want to be doing . I have freedom that I never had before. I'm not locked in a building with set business hours. I can work from anywhere as long as I have  phone connection and a battery charger!

Julie:  Any encouraging words?

Lynda:  Just don't be afraid to chase your dreams. If there's something speaking to you and you feel like  something bigger is suppose to be happening in your life, go after it. Whatever it is, God is putting that desire in your heart for a reason. You should go for it!

Please check out Lynda's website ~ www.teamleanlife.com
Also her Facebook page ~ Lynda Suttles (coach Lynda)

                        The Paralyzed Man/Woman:  John 5 

  It says that Jesus said, "Take up your bed and walk.", and the man got up, picked up his mat and walked. That’s how I see it. Jesus spoke - and the man, compelled by supernatural power, got to his feet and began to walk. But what if the man had to believe? What if he, in that moment, got challenged with many fears?  His legs had not worked for 38 years. (Sounds a lot like middle age). What if he failed to be healed?  What if he had to push himself up to his hands and knees with his body falling under the strain? He would look stupid. That would be embarrassing. He was probably dizzy from the equilibrium change. What would his sick friends around the pool think? 

  And then it happened. After much struggle, he stood. A miracle for him. He had never used his legs. Here comes the first step. It’s shaky. Then another. Now the ne-sayers are applauding and want a piece of the action.They want to be his best friend because Jesus has given him a miracle and he’s going to be famous now. Now he’s walking. No ones more surprised then he is.

  Now lets relate this to the call we all have to do something beyond ourselves, but we're paralyzed. We have never done anything outside of what's expected.  We stay in the status quo. But Jesus has always known we could walk in new things if we just believed and he’s coming to visit us. He’s asking why are you still paralyzed? Like the man at the pool of Bethesda, we give our excuses and blame others. But Jesus insists -  Get up and walk in that which I’ve called you. We’re instantly hit with multiple fears -  what will people think; I’m too old; I’m too young; I’ll look stupid trying; what if I fail; I just need to stay in my boundaries and not draw attention to myself. But the fact that JESUS said to get up means ~ YOU CAN WALK IF YOU TRY ~ Yes, you have to try! You have to look foolish or awkward for a moment. You have to struggle to stand. You have to press past the dizzy head and the weak muscles and stand. Then you have to take the first step. By now you have peoples attention. They didn’t believe you would even try. They thought you had settled for your mediocre life like they did.  No one ever expected you’d start that business or that charity, or go on the mission field or adopt a child at your age, or change jobs or cities etc... You are a BELIEVER now. A real one.    

Encouragement to wait on God

              The hardest part to getting what you really want is waiting for it.

   You can't sow your seeds of faith by asking - and then go purchase or seduce something or someone that doesn't answer the question: "Is this what I just asked God for? Is this really what I was hoping for?"

    Wait : To stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or event.  To remain in readiness for a purpose. Used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen. 

                                                 

If you don't wait - then you don't see God - and you go in your own strength.

These pictures were taken while on my anniversary in the Smokey Mountains. 6 years ago I experienced first hand the end of waiting for a partner to help me in this life. From the most unexpected place came my helper, and lover, and friend. I could not have done what God did if I had all the time in the world. Only my Father could make something work so perfectly. I have learned to wait. It is still hard. But it is harder enduring a bad decision and it just waste time. There are other things I wait for now. There always will be. But I know I will marvel at what is done for me and I will declare God's great works on the earth. Happy Holidays 

Nova Pearson Kopp. No Ordinary Woman

                   NOVA PEARSON KOPP

          MRS.  GEORGIA   UNITED STATES 2015  

 I’ve known Nova most of my life. We attended the same high school, and although she is a year my junior, our circles crossed often and still do. She was a beacon then- a shinning light of happiness and encouragement, always smiling and always talking to anyone and everyone. She made you feel good. 
  Fast forward 2 decades, and Nova has honed her skill of motivation and transformation. Of her own confession, life has not been perfect. She has experienced  profound loss and disappointment - her Father committed suicide after years of mental illness when she was 14  yrs old; but what she has not done, is give up! 

  I have been fortunate to follow Nova on Facebook and talk to her in person and she has some excellent advice to share.  And by the way, Nova was 49 yrs old when she was crowned Mrs. Georgia  United States 2015. 

Nova, when and where and under what circumstances did you have the epiphany that changed your life?

   I was a 20 something - single mom, making 7 dollars an hour. My car was so junky, I had to borrow my bosses BMW to run an errand for him and I realized, ”He works the same hours as I do and yet he makes so much more. Why?” After concluding it was education, I went back to school. This was not easy because, after my Fathers death, I struggled in High School and I did not do well. This was when I began to change my mindset - I got my Bachelors and then decided to get my Masters, and I graduated Class Scholar! I believe, "If they can do it, so can I"!

  From there I decided to change my BRAND, and I surrounded myself with positive mentors. People who could help me rewire my thinking so I can achieve my goals - goals I always write down.

  I discovered simple truths that I apply to this day - you need to follow a road map to get where you want to go.  Quit destructive cycles in your life and find out what your triggers are - those things that cause you to make the bad decisions.  

 2. How do you overcome the fear and voices that tell you, you can't or shouldn’t?

   Your goals need to be achievable. I mean how do you swallow an elephant - one bite at a time! Follow the SMART model. As you achieve goals, you begin to believe in yourself.  Rewire your thinking. Thoughts are like channels in the brain. If you don't like them, then change the channel! Your thoughts become your road map! 

3.Any future plans and goals?  

   I would like to write a book that will help women. My heart is to see all women and girls know and reach their potential. I would love to be a motivational speaker of transformation for all women because I am passionate about helping women and children who have experienced traumatic events in their life. 

 4.Any last words you'd like to leave us with?

 Live in the "present". The present is a present from God.

                   

                          Avondale, Jacksonville Florida

                                                        Autumn