Love Your Body, Love Your Career

Q: I want to come across as confident at work, but I often feel like I’m faking it. How can I “show up” without pretending?

A: When I started my very first job, the feedback I received was “You’re too quiet.” I’ll never forget the sting of that moment. I was naturally extroverted, but my fear of saying or doing the wrong thing in environments that determined my success kept me sitting on the sidelines. It was a hard pill to swallow, and I quickly realized I’d never be seen as the leader I knew I was without getting uncomfortable. But, just like muscle, confidence isn’t built overnight. You need to take small steps to build new capacity. 

In the beginning, speaking up in meetings felt as awkward as trying to squat with a barbell for the first time. I came to learn that, just like exercise, repetition and consistency mattered. I practiced using the social skills that felt more natural to me outside of the office: holding eye contact, leaning forward, finding opportunities to relate to others in the room, and preparing for meetings with at least one point to contribute. Over time, those small acts stacked like reps. Fast forward to today, and I’ve built and led four global teams, worked directly with C-suite leaders, and positioned myself for promotions outside of my direct skill set. None of it came from pretending. It came from practicing skills that were tied to the outcome I desired. 

Confidence grows like muscle: slowly, consistently, until one day you look up and realize you’re stronger than you ever imagined.

Q: I’ve been told I need to “look the part” to get promoted, but that feels shallow. Why does how I present myself matter so much?

A: Your presence is like your warm-up set: it signals what’s coming next. In the workplace, people form impressions before you even speak. That doesn’t mean that you have to conform or erase your personality. It means there are benefits to aligning how you look and carry yourself with the authority you want to project. As one of my earliest mentors once said, “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” 

Throughout my career, I’ve often found myself as the only, or youngest, woman in the room. Walking into those meetings, I knew I had two options: shrink back and hope to be accepted, or show up as if I belonged there. I chose the latter. That meant dressing with intention (without forgoing my personal style and flair), keeping my posture open, and speaking with clarity. Over time, my presence created respect before words even left my mouth.

Think of athletes before a competition. Their appearance, from their uniform to their body language, communicates readiness. In the same way, presenting yourself with intention during a meeting signals that you respect yourself and your role. Far from being shallow, it’s strategic. When you embody success, people trust you to deliver.

Q: How do I stop downplaying my accomplishments without feeling arrogant?

A: Executive presence isn’t just about how you look and speak; it’s also about what you’re willing to claim about yourself out loud. And there’s a big difference between arrogance and ownership. 

Fitness teaches this well. Fellow gym-goers won’t think you’re egotistical for celebrating a new PR—they know what it takes to reach a goal. In your career, it’s the same. Sharing your wins isn’t bragging; it helps set you up for the right growth opportunities, and provides proof your colleagues can’t ignore.

Early in my career, I didn’t understand how to “share, not brag,” so I simply avoided drawing attention to myself. Even after big achievements, I’d say, “Oh, it was nothing.” Unfortunately, that habit of minimizing my work meant others either overlooked it or, even worse, expected my best to be my norm. That led to a lot of late nights and was a fast track to burnout. When I began owning my results—presenting them as impact rather than ego—everything shifted. Instead of downplaying my role with phrases such as “I like to build teams,” I started saying things like “I scaled the team across three continents and reduced inefficiency costs by 15 percent.” This wasn’t arrogance. It was evidence, and evidence builds trust.

If you struggle with sharing your wins, try reframing them by doing the following:

• Replace “I was lucky” with “I worked strategically to…”

• Give credit generously, but don’t erase your role.

• State the outcome in measurable terms.

Owning your success allows others to see you clearly, and it inspires them to own their success too.

Confidence isn’t about pretending to be someone else. It’s about honoring the strength you already have, both in your body and in your career. When you love your body, you stop apologizing for taking up space and learn to respect your uniqueness. You can then bring that same grounded presence into every meeting and room you enter. 

I’ve gone from being the too quiet entry-level employee to building global teams and leading leaders. I can tell you this: the work you do on yourself—whether it’s in the gym, on your mindset, or in how you choose to show up in your relationships—is never wasted. When you show up strong, success follows.