How Tracy Learned to Trust Her Voice (and Stop Letting Her Inner Critic Lead)
What happens when you stop doing what’s expected — and start listening to yourself instead?
That’s what Tracy discovered inside The Confident Manager Academy. Like many women in management (and even though Tracy is self-employed, the experiences are almost the exact same!), that’s what Tracy discovered inside The Confident Manager Academy. Like many women in management, she came into the programme with a clear goal: to grow her confidence and shape her personal brand after publishing a memoir based on a deeply personal, traumatic period in her life.
But what unfolded was something much deeper.
“As I worked my way through the course, grew in confidence, quietened my inner critic and truly got real and honest about what my personal and professional values were, EVERYTHING shifted.”
Her biggest aha moment? Understanding The Confidence Gap — the term used to describe the disconnect between competence and confidence that disproportionately affects women, often not because they lack ability, but because they’ve been conditioned to question it.
Inside CMA, we dedicate an entire module and additional training to this exact issue — exploring how systemic bias, internalised pressure, and outdated workplace structures impact women’s confidence at every level.
We don’t just talk about self-doubt. We talk about where it comes from — and what we can actually do about it.
Tracy also learned about something unique to The CMA: The Confidence Ecosystem — my original framework that helps you understand all the moving parts that influence how you see yourself at work. It’s not just about mindset. It’s about the environment, the expectations, the emotional labour, and the inner critic trying to manage it all.
“I really reflected on my past jobs and positions and realised how I was viewed and how I viewed others from this angle. It’s something that has stuck with me and helped me view how I present myself professionally moving forward.”
She also got personal with the voice in her head — the one many women try to silence or ignore. In The CMA, Tracy learned how to name her inner critic and challenge the chatter rather than blindly believe it.
“It was challenging, but I believe it’s just like a muscle — the more I do it, the more confident I become at trusting myself.”
And here’s the shift that still gives me chills:
What started as a journey to build a personal brand became a much braver pivot. Tracy realised she was chasing what was expected of her — not what her heart and soul truly ached for. Now, she’s pursuing a long-held dream with clarity, calm, and confidence.
“Sarah has helped me find my voice again and cheered me on to back myself.”
That’s the magic of The CMA. Not more noise. Not more pressure. Just space to get clear — and brave enough to trust it.
Tracy’s tagline for CMA? A transformative leadership experience that helped me grow and trust my own voice.
