Trusting Yourself: Kirsten Duncan's Journey from Fearful to Fearless

 In this episode of Pivot to Joy, host Dele Downs Kooley sits down with coaching client, Kirsten Duncan—healthcare leader, speaker, and now published TEDx presenter—to explore the journey of embracing fear and uncovering the unexpected gifts that lie on the other side of discomfort. Kirsten opens up about her transformation from living with anxiety and self-doubt to rebuilding trust in herself after major life transitions. She discusses how watching and listening to others’ stories, especially TEDx and podcasts, provided a roadmap back to courage and self-worth. With practical advice for listeners—especially women in corporate spaces—Kirsten shares strategies for facing fears, building self-trust, the value of authentic networking, and why mindset is the foundation for resilience. 
 
If you want inspiration to step through your own fears or are curious about how to translate setbacks into growth and even joy, this episode is for you! 
 
Timestamps: 
[00:02:43] Kirsten’s TEDx journey: “Embracing fears, Discovering the unexpected” 
[00:03:32] Overcoming the fear of self-trust 
[00:05:15] Kirsten’s background and what inspired her TEDx talk 
[00:08:37] Defining fear, and why it holds power 
[00:10:23] Common fears for women in corporate settings 
[00:13:49] Practicing what you preach: Kirsten’s own job leap 
[00:16:22] Practical strategies for facing fear 
[00:19:30] The decisive role of mindset and attitude 
[00:22:31] Daily practices for courage and resilience 
[00:26:40] Advice for women in corporate to move beyond fear 
[00:30:54] Leadership: Creating cultures that encourage risk-taking 
[00:32:35] The value of mentorship and approachable networking 
[00:39:16] Networking reimagined: Connection over pitch 
[00:41:50] Why the message of overcoming fear resonates 
[00:44:25] Leaving a legacy of courage for others 
[00:45:34] How facing fear creates joy 
[00:47:27] How to connect and support Kirsten’s work 
 
Quotes: 
“My biggest fear was learning to trust myself and that deep within myself, I actually had some of these answers and I had the ability to face some of these fears.” 

“I think one of the biggest fears is that we don't think that we're good enough for the job, that we don't have enough skills for the job, that we're not going to be able to execute.” 

“Coming with a mindset, a can-do mindset, a positive mindset, a mindset where you're thinking about the perspective and rather than, you know, there's a saying of, you know, this didn't happen to me, this happened for me.” 
"I had written in reminders that would pop up as calendar reminders. You are worthy, you are strong, you are courageous. Because I didn't believe those things about myself yet, but I felt that I needed to be saying those things and affirming those things." 
 
Resources: 
- Connect with Kirsten Duncan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-duncan/ 
- Listen to Kirsten's TEDx Bellevue Women talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P65DDz0g2CQ 
 

If today’s episode resonated with you, follow along on your favorite social media and explore resources to elevate your voice, refine your story, and build a powerful personal brand.  And remember sharing is caring. SHARE with your friends – because transformation is even better when we do it together! 
 

Connect with me: 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley 
•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching
•Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dele.kooley.coaching
• Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com 
 

 Additional Resources: 
• Journaling Worksheet & Complete Show Notes: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast 
• Special Offer: Mention this podcast and receive $250 off any coaching program! 
 

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