# When ‘Shy’ Becomes Your Identity: How Confidence Gets Lost Along the Way

An episode of [Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1769667587), 6 Jan 2026, 17 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/688b450bc6d705dd3a2f1a3e/e/69481fee921dd3db0b28ff61/media.mp3

In this bonus episode, Lisa Hopper reflects on how being labelled - and later labelling herself - as “shy” slowly became an identity, shaping her confidence, choices, and sense of self without her even realising it. What began as a single childhood experience quietly influenced how she showed up in relationships, work, money, and life. This honest conversation explores how easily confidence can be misunderstood, how victim thinking can keep us stuck, and why true confidence often begins with questioning the stories we’ve carried for years. Lisa also shares a deeply personal experience around mental health and medication, highlighting the importance of separating who we are from what we’re experiencing - and why awareness can be the turning point. This is a shorter, reflective bonus episode, but one that will resonate if you’ve ever thought: “I’m just shy,” and wondered where your confidence went. --- Work with Lisa Hopper & receive 25% off, use discount code: JSZ23D8 Full details & claim your offer here --- Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa --- Connect with Lisa Instagram: Follow Lisa Facebook: Follow Lisa YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them.