When I was promoted to VP, it looked perfect from the outside—more pay, more power, more prestige. Inside, I was full of doubt, anxiety, and fear of being “found out.” I tried to fake it, but the more I faked it, the less confident I felt.

I worked 60+ hour weeks, said yes to everything, avoided asking for help, drank too much to take the edge off, and survived on 5–6 hours of sleep. Eventually, it broke me—but it also woke me up.

I invested in myself, rewired my sense of worth, and built a better way to lead. Today, I help new executives do what I wish I’d known back then.