Today, we break down the science of confidence, why self-doubt isn’t always the enemy, and how understanding your specific doubt pattern can unlock lasting self-trust, without becoming someone you’re not.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr Shadé Zahrai, behavioural researcher, award-winning peak performance educator, and one of the leading voices on confidence, self-image, and self-doubt.

This is not about hype or surface-level confidence. It’s about rewiring how you see yourself.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

* Why confidence is trainable, not fixed

* The role self-doubt actually plays in growth and performance

* The 4 Self-Doubt Types and how they show up in behaviour

* How to diagnose your own self-doubt profile (including mine, live)

* The everyday habit that quietly erodes confidence

* How posture, environment, and physicality shape self-belief

* How to tell the difference between useful self-doubt and self-sabotage

* Why your self-image is the blueprint for your entire life

* Practical tools to build confidence in real time

* How to set boundaries with negative people without losing yourself

When you change how you see yourself, your behaviour follows.

Confidence isn’t something you chase, it’s something you build.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

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Link to free quiz online

Link to BIG TRUST

TIME STAMPS

(01:43) Introduction / Background

(12:06) What is the role of self-doubt?

(17:26) Self Doubt Profiles

(25:48) Diagnosing Erika’s doubt profile

(30:22) Tools for improving self doubt

(47:49) This everyday habit is ruining your confidence

(53:28) Do you need to change your environment to achieve?

(57:53) Setting boundaries for loved ones who are negative

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG!

RESOURCES

▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon

▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge

▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 Instagram

📱Tiktok

MY FAVOURITE STUFF

💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Confidence today feels different.

We’re navigating a world where AI can outperform humans, social media is increasingly curated (and often fake), and comparison is no longer occasional, it’s constant. Even the most grounded, capable people are quietly questioning themselves.

In this episode, we explore how to stay confident when nothing online feels real anymore and how to use social media without losing yourself.

Joining me is journalist, speaker, and mother Danae Mercer, who has worked at the highest levels of media and still found her confidence shaken by the online world. Together, we unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface of confidence in 2026, and what actually helps.

This isn’t about deleting social media or fearing AI. It’s about learning the new confidence skill this era demands.

💭 If You’ve Been Thinking…

“I don’t feel as confident as I used to”

“Everyone online seems ahead of me”

“I know better, but I still feel affected”

“I want my confidence back”

then this conversation is for you!

And if this episode resonates, share it with someone who might be quietly feeling the same way.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

📸 Instagram

TIME STAMPS

(01:20) Introduction

(06:40) How do we remain confident in the age of AI content?

(18:23) Tools to find confidence

(23:32) Do things you’re bad at

(26:20) What's the line between being sucked in by social media and enjoying it?

(29:26) The Proteus Effect

(44:01) Consequences of phone use and emotions

(47:01) Why did you start posting content?

(51:14) What would you immediately change on social media

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG!

RESOURCES

▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon

▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge

▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 Instagram

📱Tiktok

MY FAVOURITE STUFF

💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.