Sarah’s Story: Finding Confidence and Breaking Through Self-Doubt
Sarah walked into Boss Babe Academy last year with uncertainty. She was only able to attend one day, but even in those few hours, she felt something different—something she hadn’t experienced before. For someone who had spent much of her pre-teen years battling negative thoughts and self-doubt, stepping into a space filled with encouragement, support, and possibility felt like a new beginning.
“I feel like a very negative person,” Sarah shared. “I’ve been really down on myself and feeling stuck where all I think about is bad things.” But despite the mental battles, there was something in her that craved change—something that made her take a chance on Boss Babe Academy again this year.
A Moment of Confidence
Sarah’s breakthrough moment came during the Women of the World Fashion Show, a benefit for the Boss Babe Academy that happened on International Women’s Day in Colorado Springs. At first, she was hesitant. “I was nervous. What if I fall? What if something goes wrong?” These thoughts, so familiar to her, almost held her back. But then, something shifted. The energy in the room, the encouragement from the other girls, and the rush of stepping onto the runway all collided into one powerful realization: she could do this.
“I felt confident for once,” she said. “I went home and read what I had written in my diary before the show. It was full of doubts, but after the show, I thought—how could this be me? I did so well. I just thought positively.”
What Girls Like Sarah Need
Sarah knows she isn’t alone in her struggles with confidence and mental health. She sees it in her friends and in other girls around her. If she had the chance to shape Boss Babe Academy for those who are scared to take the leap, she’d encourage them to walk in with an open mind.
“For girls who feel negative about themselves, I’d say—leave your past at home for just a second,” she advised. “Just let yourself go and start fresh. You don’t have to be someone else, but you can give yourself permission to try.”
She believes in a balance of hands-on learning and personal growth—activities that push girls outside of their comfort zones but also allow them space to reflect and process. Whether it’s workshops on posing for the camera, learning business skills, or simply having honest conversations about self-worth, Sarah sees Boss Babe Academy as a place that can transform lives.
Looking Ahead
This year, Boss Babe Academy is doubling in size, expanding to 60 girls and moving to the U.S Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Sarah knows this means more girls like her will have the opportunity to step into their confidence, challenge their negative thoughts, and rewrite their personal narratives.
She’s not the same person she was last year, and she knows that in one, five, or ten years, she’ll continue to grow. But today, Sarah is learning to see herself as a “boss babe” in the making—someone who is strong, capable, and worthy of success.
For the girls who are too afraid to sign up, she offers this: “I know what it feels like to doubt yourself. I know what it’s like to be scared. But sometimes, all it takes is one moment—one chance—to realize you are so much more than your fears.”
