From perfectionism at age ten to coaching CEOs who quietly wonder if they belong, Gary exposes how comparison, credentials and hidden shame steal confidence. Join this lively conversation as Gary gets brutally honest about the sneaky scripts that fuel imposter syndrome. He also shares personal stories of betrayal, resilience and finding freedom through vulnerability, purpose and service. If self-doubt ever whispers you’re not enough, this episode gives you the means to silence it and step into who you’ve earned to be.

TIME-CODED TOPIC GUIDE

0:00 — Matt intro and North Carolina series setup

02:30 — Who is Gary Frey, background, business history

06:10 — Defining imposter syndrome and where it came from

09:45 — Perfectionism, early childhood patterns, high achiever psychology

14:20 — CEO coaching, the silent epidemic among leaders

19:30— The Tana Green story and the power of admitting “I don’t know what I’m doing”

24:40 — Education, credentials, comparison, hiding flaws, internal shame

28:55 — Why sharing your story sets others free

REMAINING TRANSCRIPT:

• Wheel of Insights – random fun questions for Gary
• Gary’s Insights to Live By
• Final Thoughts

SOURCES:
• GaryDFrey.com
• LINKEDIN.COM/IN/GARYDFREY

NOTABLE QUOTES:

1. “I didn’t even know the term imposter syndrome until five years ago, but I’d been living it since I was ten.”

2. “High achievers often think they’re the only ones who don’t know what they’re doing. That’s the great lie.”

3. “The imposter wants you focused on how others perceive you. Freedom comes from focusing on serving others.”

4. “Some of the most successful leaders I’ve coached whispered the same words: I don’t know what I’m doing.”

5. “Realizing you’re not alone is a weapon. Shame loses power when it’s shared.”

6. “Purpose always silences fear. When I’m focused on serving you, I don’t have time to worry about me.”