Breaking Free from Self-Doubt: Somatic Tools to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Have you ever looked confident and successful on the outside while quietly battling self-doubt on the inside? You’re not alone—and it’s not all in your head.
In this powerful episode of Happiness On Tap, host Leann Herron sits down with Charmian Johnson, a former global law partner turned somatic, trauma-informed coach who helps high-achieving women overcome self-doubt, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome.
After nearly 30 years in law—appearing calm and capable while inwardly feeling never enough—Charmian retrained to understand how stress and trauma live in the body and shape how we think, feel, and show up. She now teaches a science-backed, body-based approach that helps women rewire these patterns, regulate their nervous systems, and build grounded, lasting confidence.
This episode is your permission slip to stop overworking, stop overthinking, and finally step into your worth—with calm, clarity, and self-trust.
We discussed:
0:00 - Greetings and introduction of Charmian Johnson
2:09 - How Charmian went from global law firm partner to somatic trauma-informed coach, and what was the turning point that made you step away from law to pursue this path
8:34 - What is somatic trauma-informed coaching
10:29 - Charmian's why and who she works with
11:29 - Why imposter syndrome isn’t just a mindset issue but a physiological pattern wired into the nervous system
12:24 - How chronic stress and unresolved trauma keep women stuck in survival mode, fueling overachievement and perfectionism
18:27 - Simple practices people can use (Bilateral Stimulation) to trigger a sense of well-being and calm in their body
22:34 - Common patterns experienced by high-achieving women
24:16 - The hidden link between success and self-criticism—and why so many women feel like they don’t belong, even when they’ve earned their place.
27:43 - Leann shares her story with abandonment, self-blame, the value of learning how to sit with the feelings as they come up in adulthood, and the power of self-confidence and education
32:28 - This is not all there is; you can have tools to change your path
35:40 - Learning to listen to the parts of us that are begging to be heard
39:43 - Charmian and Leann share various grounding practices to calm the nervous system
49:31 - Why it’s absolutely possible to rewire lifelong patterns of self-doubt and what the healing process really looks like
54:02 - Celebrating your personal growth wins
1:00:51 - Charmian’s parting message on hope and change
Key Takeaway
True confidence doesn’t come from thinking your way out of self-doubt—it comes from feeling safe in your own body. When you regulate your nervous system, you silence the inner critic and step into calm, grounded power.
Episode Resources:
Guest:
Charmian Johnson is a former global law partner turned somatic trauma-informed coach. She specializes in helping women release the grip of imposter syndrome and perfectionism.
For more information on Charmian Johnson please visit:
Charm Johnson Coaching - Free 30-minute consultation
Website:
https://charmjohnson.thementalwellbeingcompany.com/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charmian-johnson-4a99725b/?originalSubdomain=uk
About your host:
Leann Herron is a Certified Life and Holistic Health Coach, a passionate advocate for women’s health and empowerment. Leann guides women to release stress, reclaim their energy, and create lives that truly fulfill them—body, mind, and spirit.
For more information on Leann Herron please visit:
Finding Resilience with Leann - Free 45-minute consultation
Website:
https://findingresiliencewithleann.com
Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/findingresiliencewithleann
LinkedIn:
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