Imposter Syndrome After 40: Your Secret Power

You know that voice in your head?

The one that whispers,
"Who do you think you are?"
"You’re not that fit."
"You’re too old to be wearing that bikini."
"You’re too muscular."

I’ve heard it too. From strangers. From people I know. And sometimes… from myself.

And it’s time we call it what it is: Imposter Syndrome.

Not the kind you hear about in corporate rooms or public speaking gigs.

But the kind that creeps in when you’ve worked your ass off, gotten stronger than ever, and still feel like you don’t belong in the body you built.

It’s All In Your Mind—But That Doesn’t Make It Any Less Real

Imposter syndrome isn’t about lack of ability.
It’s about doubting your own damn success, even when it’s right in front of you.

And for women over 40, this shows up in subtle ways:

• You downplay your physique because someone said you’re “too lean for your age.”

• You hide your progress at the gym because your friends don’t get your obsession.

• You shrink yourself in spaces that don’t know how to handle a confident, muscular woman in midlife.

I’ve been there. I built a body I’m proud of and still questioned whether I was “too much” for some people.

Until I realized people project their limits onto you because they haven’t surpassed their own!

Aging Doesn’t Diminish You. It Defines You.

We were raised in a time where women over 40 were expected to “age gracefully” aka fade quietly, shrink down, give up on themselves.

But F**K that!!

The truth is, you are who you decide you are.
Not who others say you are.
Not who you were before kids, career, life changes, or hormone shifts.

The woman you’re becoming now lifts HEAVY. She EATS. She takes up SPACE.

And she does it unapologetically.

I See the Comments. And I Still Show Up.

Yes, I wear the bikini.
Yes, I train to build muscle.
Yes, I’m strong as hell...mentally and physically!

And yes, I see the comments:

• “Why are you dressed like that at your age?”

• “You’re too masculine.”

• “What are you trying to prove?”

• "Put some clothes on."

Let me answer that...

I'm not dressing for you.
I'm not lifting for you.
I'm not proving anything to you.

I do it because I love it.
Because it saved me.
Because the gym is my therapy and muscle is my medicine.

And I know I’m not alone.

If You Feel Like You Don’t Belong—You Do.

To the woman reading this who’s already lifting 4-5x/week…
Who tracks her meals…
Who wants more from life and her body and is tired of justifying it...

You’re not broken. You’re not lost. You’re not wrong for wanting more.

You just haven’t heard enough voices like yours yet.

That’s why I’m writing this.

Because even now, there are moments where I question if I’m doing too much.

But then I remember I am who the f**k I say I am...

And so are YOU!!

You Can Start Owning It at Any Time

Imposter syndrome isn’t something you cure.
It’s something you outgrow.
One confident rep at a time.
One “yes I can” at a time.
One boundary, one outfit, one heavy-ass deadlift at a time.

So the next time that voice creeps in or some random person makes a comment about your body, your goals, or your grind...don’t shrink.

Remind yourself who the f* you are.

And walk into your power.