Facing Imposter Syndrome in a Career Change

When I decided to go back to school in my late thirties to pursue a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy, I knew it would be a challenge. What I didn’t expect was the wave of imposter syndrome that came with it.

For fifteen years, I had built a fulfilling career as a yoga teacher. I founded Spira Yoga School, trained teachers, led workshops, and cultivated a strong community in Northern California. I was confident in my role, grounded in my knowledge, and passionate about what I did. But stepping into a classroom surrounded by younger students, many fresh out of undergrad, made me question everything.

I remember sitting in my first clinical medicine lecture at Baylor University, staring at the screen filled with Latin terms and complex diagnoses, thinking, “What am I doing here?” I felt like a fraud. I worried I was too old, too far removed from academic life, and that my background in yoga wasn’t “clinical” enough to belong in this space.

Imposter syndrome is sneaky. It doesn’t just whisper doubts, it shouts them! It made me second-guess my answers in class, hesitate to speak up during labs, and feel like I had to prove myself twice as hard. I kept comparing myself to others, forgetting that my path was different, and that different doesn’t mean less.

One turning point came during lab when working with community participants. A community member with chronic pain mentioned they had tried yoga before but never felt truly supported. I drew on my years of teaching and guided them through breathwork and gentle movement. The relief on their face reminded me: I do belong here. My experience wasn’t a weakness; it was a strength.

I started reframing my thoughts. Instead of seeing myself as an outsider, I began to view myself as someone bringing a unique perspective to the field. My yoga background gave me a deep understanding of movement, mindfulness, and breathwork, tools that complemented my clinical training beautifully.

Now, in my second trimester of the program, I still have moments of doubt. But I’ve learned to pause, reflect, and remind myself of how far I’ve come. And interestingly, this experience has given me a deeper appreciation for what it’s like to pursue yoga training later in life, something I've witnessed from the outside as a teacher trainer. Now I understand the vulnerability, courage, and determination it takes to step into a learning space where you feel like the odd one out. It’s made me more empathetic as a teacher and more grounded as a student.

If you’re navigating a big transition and feeling like an imposter, know this: your journey matters. Your experience is valuable. And you absolutely belong.