Welcome back to Unshakable Confidence. I’m your host, Coco Duan—former Fortune 500 senior executive turned life and leadership coach for high-achieving women who secretly struggle with self-doubt. If you’re ready to lead powerfully and live authentically, you’re in the right place.
In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most important (and often misunderstood) habits for building unshakable confidence: your ability to embrace discomfort.
Most of us avoid discomfort—whether it’s saying no, hitting the gym, or having a hard conversation. But avoiding discomfort actually trains your brain to fear it more. And over time, your world shrinks. You feel stuck, anxious, and small.
But here’s the good news: the opposite is also true.
Every time you choose the hard thing, you’re not just growing your courage—you’re rewiring your brain and expanding your life.
I’ll walk you through the science of why discomfort feels unsafe, how to work with your nervous system (not against it), and how I personally build my tolerance for discomfort every day in four key areas: physical, mental, social, and relational.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why avoiding discomfort is the invisible trap that keeps high-achieving women stuck
- How to rewire your nervous system through “micro-bravery”
- 4 types of discomfort that strengthen your self-trust and expand your life
- Real-life stories from my journey—CrossFit, meditation, public speaking, and more
- Why embracing small, tolerable discomfort is the key to long-term joy and freedom
Mentioned in this episode:
- My 10-day silent meditation retreat and how it changed my life
- The science behind strength training, cold exposure, and intermittent fasting
- How public speaking went from my worst fear to one of my greatest joys
- The power of saying no, setting boundaries, and ending one-sided relationships
Coco Duan helps High-Achieving yet Self-Doubting women executives build their Grounded Confidence to become unstoppable in achieving their goals.
- For VIP, step-by-step, systematic support, apply now for Coco’s transformative “Build Your Grounded Confidence” VIP Coaching Program.
This is your chance to work directly with Coco and unlock the tools, strategies, and mindset shifts you need to thrive. Once you apply, Coco will personally reach out to invite you to a free consultation call to explore how this program can help you achieve your goals.
- I’m offering a Free 45-Minute Consultation Call to explore how I can guide and support you in creating the life you truly desire.
👉 Email me at Coco@nullCocoDuanCoaching.com with the subject line: “Consultation.”
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