Why Feeling Like an Imposter Is Normal and How to Use It to Your Advantage
“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will."
– Suzy Kassem
Why High Achievers, Including Athletes, Often Experience Imposter Syndrome
If you’ve ever stood on the podium, signed to a team, or hit a game-winning shot and still thought, “I don’t deserve this”, you’re not alone. That feeling has a name: Imposter Syndrome, and it’s surprisingly common among high achievers, including athletes.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is the persistent belief that your success is due to luck or timing rather than ability, coupled with a fear of being “found out” as a fraud. Psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes first identified this phenomenon in 1978 among high-achieving women, but decades of research show it affects people across all fields. Studies estimate that 70–82% of professionals experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers.
Why High Achievers Are Especially Vulnerable
Ironically, the more successful you are, the more likely you are to feel like an imposter. Here’s why:
High Expectations: Elite performers operate under relentless pressure to deliver results. In sports, every game is a public test.
Comparison Culture: Athletes constantly measure themselves against teammates, opponents, and even social media narratives.
Advancement: Moving to a higher team or being named a Captain, can create feelings of inadequacy leading you to constantly question “Did I really earn this?”
Research confirms this pattern. A Korean study of 413 athletes found significant correlations between imposter tendencies and achievement goals, showing that fear of failure and self-doubt can shape performance orientation.
Why It’s Normal
Imposter syndrome thrives in high-stakes environments where performance is constantly evaluated. For athletes, the combination of public scrutiny, perfectionist tendencies, and the unpredictability of sport creates fertile ground for self-doubt. In fact, feeling like an imposter can signal that you’re pushing boundaries and striving for excellence, a paradoxical badge of ambition.
Athletes Who’ve Spoken Out
Even household names aren’t immune:
Serena Williams admitted in a Time essay that despite her 23 Grand Slam titles, she wrestled with doubts about belonging at the top level: “Even the best competitors have a voice of doubt inside them”.
Michael Jordan, often hailed as the greatest basketball player ever, famously reframed failure as fuel: “I’ve failed over and over… and that is why I succeed.” His quote underscores how pervasive self-doubt can be—even for legends.
Will Brennan, MLB outfielder, revealed that during his breakout season he questioned whether he deserved his spot: “I may have looked calm on the outside, but on the inside my heart was racing”.
These examples prove that imposter feelings don’t discriminate, they often intensify with success.
Research shows that imposter syndrome can actually drive improvement and growth when managed well. Here’s how:
It Increases Effort and Performance Under Pressure
A recent study by MIT Sloan professor Basima Tewfik found that employees who frequently experience impostor thoughts work harder and perform better when facing high workloads. When individuals feel others overestimate their abilities, they often respond by putting in extra effort to meet expectations. In Tewfik’s field study, those with stronger impostor feelings received higher performance ratings from supervisors during periods of role overload because they viewed challenges as opportunities rather than threats. [mitsloan.mit.edu]
It Fuels Motivation and Continuous Learning
Psychology research suggests that self-doubt can act as a motivator for skill development. A correlational study found a significant positive relationship between achievement motivation and impostor feelings, meaning high achievers who experience impostor syndrome often strive harder to validate their success. This drive can lead to greater mastery and resilience, as individuals push themselves to improve and avoid complacency. [kuey.net]
It Promotes Growth Mindset
Experts argue that impostor thoughts are often signals of growth, not failure. When you feel like an impostor, it usually means you’re stepping outside your comfort zone, taking on new roles or challenges. This discomfort encourages learning and adaptability, which are essential for long-term success. [reflection...ecouch.com]
For Parents Coaching Their Kids
If you’re a parent stepping into the role of coach, it’s completely normal to feel like an imposter, especially if you don’t have formal training or years of experience. You might think, “Who am I to lead this team?” That self-doubt is a classic sign of imposter syndrome, and it often shows up when we care deeply about doing a good job.
Instead of resisting those feelings, lean into them. Embrace the discomfort as proof that you’re invested in your child’s growth and the team’s success. Use it as motivation to learn, ask questions, and model humility. When kids see you navigating uncertainty with confidence and curiosity, they learn that leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about showing up, adapting, and growing together.
Bottom Line
If you’re a high-achieving athlete who sometimes feels like a fraud, you’re in good company. Those doubts don’t mean you don’t belong, they mean you care deeply about your craft. Recognize the pattern, seek support, and remember even champions hear that inner critic. What sets them apart is how they respond.
While unmanaged impostor syndrome can lead to anxiety and burnout, moderate levels can be a performance enhancer. It pushes you to prepare thoroughly, stay humble, and continuously improve - qualities that often separate good performers from great ones.
I am not a doctor or professional, and this is just my opinion.
