Imposter Syndrome (Episode 51)

Have you ever felt that you simply did not belong? Have you ever felt like you simply did not “fit” in endurance sport? If you have never felt this way, you are in the minority. Based on the research done in this area, most people, regardless of gender, have felt as if they are inadequate, did not measure up, and emanate some type of “phoniness” in sport.

Imposter syndrome has been studied since the 1970s and it continues to be studied in academic spaces. We can’t help but see all of the connections and parallels to endurance sport — wondering if you belong, wondering if you have experienced enough to “truly” be an athlete, wondering if you can live up to the standards of the sport or your own. Adding the qualification that you are “slow” or that you are not a “real” runner, all come from a place of feeling inadequate, that you are, essentially an imposter

During this podcast, we grapple with what imposter syndrome is, and how we can try to construct endurance sport contexts to help minimize such feelings. We are not suggesting that every minoritized person grapples with imposter syndrome. However, we wonder how anyone can avoid such a challenge given that all athletes have set a goal — whether it’s to win the entire race or simply to show up at the start line.

For those who have never felt that pangs of imposter syndrome, make sure you listen in. Your empathy and ability to understand such a feeling can equip you to help create spaces where sense of belonging increases and as a result, participation of all people increases as well.

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