The Confidence Gap Is Real—But So Is Your Power

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What’s holding women back from fully stepping into leadership?

It’s not a lack of talent. It’s not a lack of ambition.

It’s often something quieter—but just as powerful: self-doubt.

In the latest episode of XFactor, I sat down with someone who doesn’t just understand the mindset behind leadership—he lives and breathes it. Ricky Mendez is a speaker, coach, and fierce advocate for mental fitness and women’s empowerment. And our conversation? It was electric.

Mindset Fitness Is a Leadership Muscle

Ricky introduced a concept that stuck with me: “mindset fitness.”

“We train our bodies, we watch what we eat—but we let our thoughts run wild. Mindset fitness means training your thoughts before they train you.”

Just like any other skill, confidence and clarity come from consistent practice. It’s about starting your day with intentionality. Visualizing success. Reframing setbacks. And surrounding yourself with people who reflect back your strength.

The Confidence Gap: It’s Time to Call It Out

We talked about the confidence gap—a real and persistent challenge for women in leadership.

Ricky said it best:

“Confidence comes from going and doing. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to show up.”

Let that sink in.

So many of us are waiting to feel “ready,” polished, or perfect. But leadership isn’t born out of perfection. It’s born out of courage, action, and resilience.

Speak Up. Even If Your Voice Shakes.

This conversation reminded me of something I’ve been saying more and more lately:

If we don’t speak up, who will?

And more importantly—who are we waiting for permission from?

You don’t need permission to share your story. To pitch your idea. To apply for the role. You just need to stop waiting and start speaking.

And if you’re worried about being judged—Ricky has a reframe for that too:

“Judgment is a filter. It shows you who’s for you and who isn’t. Either way, you win.”

From Mentorship to Sponsorship

One of the most important shifts we unpacked was the difference between being a mentor and being a sponsor.

✅ A mentor guides you.

✅ A sponsor opens doors for you.

As women, we need more sponsors—and we need to become sponsors for one another. Because change doesn’t happen when we’re just giving advice. It happens when we use our influence to create real opportunities.

Let This Be Your Mindset Reset

If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself…

If you’ve ever stayed quiet in a meeting when you knew you had value to add…

If you’ve been playing small when you know you’re meant for more…

Let this episode be your reframe, your reminder, and your permission.

🎧 [Listen to the full episode here] and share it with a woman who needs to hear it.

You’ve Got This. And We’ve Got You.

Let’s keep doing the work. Let’s keep speaking up. Let’s keep sponsoring one another forward.

Because the world doesn’t just need more women in leadership.

It needs more authentic, courageous, mindset-fit women owning their power—and lifting others along the way.

Let’s grow,

Wendy

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