Get Connected

5409 Overseas Highway
Unit 74
Marathon, Florida 33050

©2025 –   Amy Morin, LCSW. All Rights Reserved

271 — How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Finally Start Trusting Your Inner Strength with Dr. Shadé Zahrai

December 8, 2025
Mentally Stronger Dr Shade Zahrai Amy Morin

Do you ever feel like self-doubt is holding you back from reaching your goals? What could you accomplish if you trusted that you had the inner strength to handle challenges?
 
We often think success will erase self-doubt, but in reality, self-doubt often grows with increased responsibility. But learning how to manage self-doubt could be the key to creating a better life.
 
My guest is Dr. Shadé Zahrai, a renowned expert in leadership, negotiation, and career advancement. She’s also the author of a new book called Big Trust.
 
Some of the things we discuss are:
 

  • The surprising ways self-doubt can actually help you achieve your goals
  • The biggest mistake most of us make in dealing with self-doubt
  • The four key weaknesses that self-doubt attacks—and how to strengthen them
  • Practical strategies to detach from negative thoughts and take decisive action
  • The connection between your thoughts, body, and environment—and how it shapes your mindset
  • Why waiting to feel confident is a myth, and how to embrace the power of self-trust
  • The two mindset tools that will help you conquer any challenge
  • Why trying to be like others will stifle your voice and diminish your worth

 

Key Takeaways:

 

  • Redefining Self-Doubt: Self-doubt is a recurring thought pattern that can become a tool for growth if approached with the right mindset.
  • Big Trust Framework: Develop “Big Trust” by enhancing self-acceptance, agency, autonomy, and adaptability.
  • If-Then Planning: Utilize proactive problem-solving by anticipating potential obstacles and planning responses to build confidence and reduce anxiety.
  • Mind/Body Connection: Acknowledge the connection between mind and body to combat doubt through posture and physical actions that promote confidence.
  • Environment Influence: Your social circle influences your beliefs and outcomes in some surprising ways.

Notable Quotes:

"Doubt never really goes away. It actually just scales with responsibility."

"The key is not how do I eliminate self-doubt, it's how do I make sure I'm not internalizing it."

"Confidence is the result of self-trust, and the way to gain it is by taking action and proving to yourself that you can handle whatever comes your way."

"Imagine doubt like clouds in the sky. It comes, it goes. It’s a thought you have, but you don’t have to believe everything you think."

"Having big trust means approaching opportunities with the belief in your worth, your skills, and your ability to influence outcomes and handle emotions."

Timestamp Summary

0:00 Harnessing Self Doubt to Build Confidence and Achieve Goals

4:48 How to Harness Self Doubt for Personal Growth and Success

7:54 Overcoming Self Doubt Through Acceptance, Agency, and Adaptability

16:34 How to Build Confidence Through Self Trust and Action

17:59 Overcome Self-Doubt Through Action and Big Trust Energy

26:54 Why You Need an If-Then Plan

35:58 The Link Between Mental Strength and Building Trust in Yourself

Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me.

Sponsors

OneSkin — Get 15% off OneSkin with the code STRONGER at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.oneskin.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Quince — Go to  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/stronger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns!

Hollow Socks — Buy 2, get 2 free at  ⁠⁠hollowsocks.com⁠⁠

BetterHelp — This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try and get 10% off at  ⁠⁠betterhelp.com/mentallystrong⁠⁠

Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shopify.com/mentallystronger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Lola Blankets — Get 35% off your entire order at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lolablankets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by using code STRONGER at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets.

AirDoctor — Head to  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today!

Uncommon Goods — Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncommonGoods.com/Stronger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 15% off

Did you enjoy this episode?

Leave a podcast review on