My story is one filled with self-doubt, anxiety, imposter syndrome and a particularly clingy fraud complex.  Not exactly the dream team but, once upon a time, they kept me safe.  And stuck. Really, really stuck.

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Hi, I'm Janelle and it's lovely to meet you. I grew up in a tiny country town of 1200 people in southern Australia.  It was a 'sporty' town, proudly boasting a basketball stadium, netball courts, some gloriously retro 80s squash courts and an oval that doubled as the football and cricket ground. I could usually be found at one of them, sporty kid that I was, or on one of my ponies, because I was also a devoted horse rider and keen competitor. 

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When I was 14, I won an event that qualified me to ride at the Royal Melbourne Show.  It was an open event - I’d be competing against adults - and to little me, from a town of 1200, it felt monumental.  So monumental, in fact, that fear took over. I froze. I never entered the arena. I felt like such an impostor, even though I’d qualified for the event.  I should have ridden in proudly, head held high.  But I was too afraid of being judged, being so visible, of failing.  It just didn’t make sense.

 

Looking back I can now see how this moment in time changed everything for me.  Not consciously.  Not with anyone telling me it would.  It just did.  

 

Because from that moment on, I started making a habit of stepping into arenas I had no business being in.  And not because my old mates Fear, Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome had packed their bags.  Oh no.  They were alive and well.  I just started inviting them in.  Pulled out chairs, poured them a wine, tipped Twisties into a bowl and said 'Fine, you can come.  But, I'm going anyway.' ​

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They were there when I applied for university - despite never finishing high school. (I mean, who did I think I was? I ask you!)

 

They came with me when I kissed my parents goodbye, threw on a backpack, and boarded a one-way flight to Europe -  terrified, pretending not to be, chasing places I’d only seen on maps.

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They cackled when I applied to be a cook on overland camping tours throughout the northern hemisphere. (Actual quote from my best friend at the time: 'Wait, you? I hate to burst your bubble, but you can't cook!')

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They tightened my chest when I returned to Australia five years later and had to start all over again.

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They made my voice wobble during a dream-job interview. I was so nervous, I asked if I could start one of my answers again.

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They whispered 'You're going to be found out' when I landed my first leadership role - zero training, no mentor - and warned me my desk phone was going to ring at any moment with my boss at the other end, advising 'We’ve realised you have no idea what you’re doing and we are going to have to let you go.'

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They kept me awake at night, with worry, when I bought my first property solo.

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When I married the man of my dreams and became an instant parent to his two young children, the commentary was swift. Apparently, my track record of never making it past the 18-month mark in past relationships meant I had no business knowing anything about love - let alone nurturing it. And becoming a stepmum? Hilarious, they thought. I’d never even kept a pot plant alive, let alone raised a child.

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And when I founded Sky High Coaching - when I created its courses, events and programmes myself - Imposter Syndrome truly had its moment in the sun.  Take a bow, IS. You really outdid yourself.

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They followed me back onto planes to learn from the world’s best coaches, begging me to stay small and silent.  'Just sit here quietly', they said. 'No one wants to hear from you. You have nothing to offer. Everyone here is better than you.'

 

They howled when I wrote Become Extraordinary without any formal writing training.  (They’re still loud about that one, by the way.)

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Every time I said yes - every time I stepped forward - the voices grew louder.  Telling me I wasn’t ready.  Wasn’t smart enough.
Didn’t have the right credentials.  Too young. Too old.  Too much. Too little.  Too shiny. Too loud.  Not enough.

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And yet…I did it anyway.

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I stepped into rooms where everyone else looked like they belonged.  And every single time, I felt like the imposter.  But I showed up. Even when I didn’t feel ready. 

 

I kept going with my shaking hands, wobbly knees, and that voice still whispering, 'Who do you think you are?'

 

And slowly, something extraordinary happened.

I found my footing.  I figured it out.  Doors opened.  Opportunities arose.  The perfect people appeared at the perfect time.  

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So… how did all those 'too big' arenas work out?  Well…

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I was accepted into university - and graduated Dux of the course.

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I have travelled to so many countries and had incredible experiences - jumped off a mountain in Switzerland attached to a parachute, canyoned in Austria, cooked under the midnight sun in Scandinavia, safaried in Africa, sipped wine from a balcony overlooking Red Square, sat atop a bus driving up the Khyber Pass, encountered bears in Canada, picnicked under the Eiffel Tower, been robbed by bandits in Bulgaria, led a group from the Istanbul earthquake in 1999.  Learned more about people, spirituality, religion and how we humans ‘work’ than I ever thought possible. Met extraordinary people.  And, some average ones.  Made friends for life. 

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I excelled in my role as a ‘camping cook’, made memories and more lifelong friends and - can you believe it - became the trainer for new cooks.  This one still makes me laugh and shake my own head!

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Within a few years of returning to Australia I’d hired my first coach (25 years ago!) and experienced coaching, landed another dream job, purchased my first property, thrown myself into the dating game (OMG, so many great stories from that experience), was back playing netball and started running (which led to completing a half marathon)!

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I nailed the dream role after that wobbly interview - and was promoted not long after.

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I found mentors, hired coaches, and grew into my leadership.  Led high-performing teams. Coached and mentored individuals who’ve gone on to do incredible things (my favourite part). 

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Sold my first property so my hubby and I could renovate the one we bought together.  I'd never renovated anything before, let alone a 100-year old house!  The result was stunning - and $200K under budget!  

Celebrated 11 years of marriage this year, with my Handsome Hubby, our two beautiful Bonus Kids, and Ziggy - our highly anxious but undeniably adorable border collie.

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I’ve studied with some of the best coaches on the planet. Sat in rooms where everyone else looked like they belonged - and built lifelong friendships in the process.

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I’ve built Sky High Coaching into a 6-figure business (and still growing).  Coached, mentored and led hundreds of clients.  Spoken on stages. Launched courses. Created global events.  People still tell me they’ve read and loved my book.  In 2017 I was named by My Entrepreneur Magazine as one of Australia’s top ten women entrepreneurs.

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And I’ve done it all without a blueprint.  Without someone else's 5-step formula. No magic roadmap.

I never felt ready.  I rarely felt qualified.

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But I moved forward anyway.

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I learned how to sit in the unknown.  To trust my gut, not just logic.  To fly by the seat of my pants - and back myself to figure it out mid-air.  What's that saying?  Build the parachute on the way down. 

To lead intuitively.

To create success that feels like me - not anyone else’s version.  To leverage my deep understanding of self-doubt, Impostor Syndrome and Fraud Complex. 

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I’ve learned the art of authentic intuition by living it.

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​And still, even now, the self-doubt pops up.  Right now, I’m a new Insight Timer teacher.  I’m building my podcast.  I’m stepping into new arenas… again.  And sometimes, that same old voice still whispers, 'Who do you think you are?'

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But here’s what I know:

If there’s something you want, there’s always a way.
And if there isn’t? You create one.

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This is what I help my clients do.
It’s not just about dreaming big - it’s about moving, too. Big steps, small steps - the size is theirs to choose.
To stop waiting until they feel ready.
To build a life, career or business that’s deeply aligned.
To lead boldly, live bravely and trust themselves completely.  Even when they’re scared.  Especially when they’re scared.

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I’m not here to tell you what to do. This is important. 
I’m here to help you hear yourself more clearly - and act on what you already know deep down to be true.

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These days, I live in a tiny seaside village that feeds my soul.  I walk by the ocean.  I do Pilates because it makes me feel strong (and the women there are a delight). Walk my dog, Ziggy.  Drink wine by the fire in winter.  Play on my paddle board in summer.  Travel (now without a backpack or the economy seat).  Seek adventures. Cheer on my footy team. Meditate.  Laugh with my friends and family.  

I read, reflect, laugh loudly, and move toward whatever lights me up.  I'll never stop seeking, learning and evolving (and that can be awfully hard too!)

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I still follow the pull - the one that leads to extraordinary things.

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My clients are high performing.  Current, new and emerging leaders.  Entrepreneurs.  Elite athletes.  Creatives.  They are all out in the world making a difference.  Driven, passionate and very, very human.

 

 you’re ready to stop asking for permission…
If you’re done holding back…
If there’s a part of you quietly wondering if more is possible…

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Come closer.

Not because the fear will disappear.
Not because the doubt will suddenly go quiet.
But because you’ll learn how to walk forward with them - to build your own dream team that includes courage, clarity, and yes… a little self-doubt at the table. 

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You already know the way.  You just can't see the path yet. I'll help you unlock the gate and walk beside you while you take the steps.