How did you overcome imposter syndrome? Forbes 30 Under 30 | Matthew Cicanese (1 of 5)
National Geographic Explorer and Forbes 30 Under 30 winner Matthew Cicanese shares how he overcame imposter syndrome to submit his application with just five days left. His secret: suspend the disbelief, because the clock is ticking and you only get one shot.
Show Notes
In This Episode
Adam and Alicia talk with Matthew Cicanese about his battle with imposter syndrome — and how he pushed through it to apply for Forbes 30 Under 30. Matthew reveals that the application took 14 hours to complete via a massive Google Form, and he submitted it while packing for a 1,000-mile move during COVID. His approach: suspend the disbelief and just do it, because the deadline won't wait.
Key Takeaways
- Imposter syndrome is a double-edged sword — healthy self-scrutiny can become paralyzing perfectionism if you obsess over every detail
- Sometimes the best strategy is to "say screw the imposter syndrome" and just submit — especially when the clock is ticking and you have one shot
- After applying, Matthew forgot about it entirely — a powerful coping mechanism for the waiting process in any high-stakes situation
- Success often comes in the eye of the hurricane — Matthew's biggest breakthroughs arrived during his most chaotic personal moments
About Matthew Cicanese
Matthew Cicanese is a National Geographic Explorer, storyteller, and photographer who educates people on how to tell stories and explore their world with a fresh perspective, a mindful heart, and a curious lens. He is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree with over a decade of experience in visual storytelling.
Connect
- Hosted by Adam Matossian and Alicia Jones
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