Feeling like a fraud? Nathan and author Jay Gurden break down imposter syndrome for pet pros and share practical ways to quiet the doubt and show up with confidence.

Imposter syndrome is rife in the pet industry - even among brilliant, ethical professionals. In this candid chat, Nathan and bestselling author Jay Gurden (Conquering Confidence: Recognising & Combatting Imposter Syndrome) unpack why pet pros feel like frauds, how social media fuels comparison, the five imposter types and the simple, evidence-based tools you can use to build confidence without burning out.

✅ The real-world signs of imposter syndrome in pet businesses

✅ The five imposter types (Perfectionist, Expert, Soloist, Natural Genius, Super-Being)

✅ Why social media comparison spikes self-doubt and how to protect your feed

✅ Simple confidence tools: objective wins lists, feedback “reviews treasure chest,” and reframing thoughts

✅ How boundaries, community and micro-resets support resilience

✅ When to ask for help and why connection beats isolation

• Comparison is the thief of joy - curate your feed and your circle.
• Keep objective evidence of your wins (qualifications, results, testimonials).
• Build a reviews/feedback vault for low-confidence days.
• Progress over perfection: done > perfect.
• Boundaries and community are essential buffers against burnout.
• Ethical, caring practitioners are not imposters they’re exactly who the industry needs.

• Email Nathan: hello@nathandunleavy.com
• Nathan’s site: https://nathandunleavy.com/
• Jay’s sites: https://www.goodguardianship.com/ | https://jaygurden.com/
• Jay’s Facebook (writers’ mentorship info pinned): https://www.facebook.com/goodguardianship
• Jay’s Imposter Syndrome FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/124746796350145/