Is It Really Imposter Syndrome—Or Just Misalignment? (And Why Coaching Alone Isn’t Always Enough)

Richie Kyriacou
19 hours ago
3 min read

I work with high performers navigating imposter syndrome all the time. And yep, I’ve been there too—sitting with that sneaky feeling like I don’t belong, like I’m one misstep away from being exposed as a fraud. It’s common. But here’s what I’ve learned from years of coaching and my own lived experience:

Sometimes what we label as imposter syndrome... isn’t.

It can be something deeper. Something more aligned with your nervous system than your mindset. And if we only try to fix it with affirmations or logic, we miss the message it’s trying to send.

Imposter Syndrome or Misalignment?

Imposter syndrome often shows up when we’re growing. You’re stepping into new territory—a role, a challenge, a version of yourself that you haven’t quite got the hang of yet. That discomfort? It’s the gap between who you were and who you’re becoming.

That’s not a warning sign. It’s an indicator of expansion. Keep moving.

But here’s the plot twist: sometimes it’s not about self-doubt at all. It’s your gut telling you that the room you’re in no longer fits. That feeling of “I don’t belong” might not be insecurity. It might be intuition. Your nervous system isn't failing you—it’s flagging misalignment. And this is where most coaching misses the mark. Because you can’t mindset your way out of a body-level response.

Where Breathwork Comes In

Breathwork works directly with your nervous system. It taps into the part of you that doesn’t speak in words but sensations. This is what makes it such a powerful companion to coaching. Coaching helps you understand and reframe your thinking. Breathwork helps you regulate and release what words alone can’t reach.

Here’s a breakdown of how they complement each other:

Coaching	Breathwork
Clarifies thought patterns	Regulates the nervous system
Reframes limiting beliefs	Releases emotional tension
Aligns actions with values	Deepens self-awareness beyond words
Spotlights misalignment	Grounds insight somatically

The Science Behind the Shift

Breathwork boosts Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a sign of better stress resilience and emotional balance (source).
Stress decreases cognitive clarity, making decision-making harder (Psychological Science, 2022).
Integrated approaches using somatic tools like breathwork result in more sustainable change (Frontiers in Psychology, 2019).

Your body stores your history. To rewrite your future, you need more than mindset shifts. You need tools that speak your body’s language.

Real Clients. Real Shifts.

Let me show you what this looks like in practice:

“I used to think breathwork was fluff. But after just a few sessions, I noticed a huge difference. I felt calmer, more grounded in meetings, and stopped spiralling after setbacks. It’s now my go-to before big presentations.”— Director & Business Owner

“I came to Richie paralysed by indecision. Coaching gave me the strategy, but breathwork gave me the emotional reset. I finally felt aligned in my body and mind. That clarity changed everything.”— Senior Systems Analyst

“I was constantly in my head, trying to prove myself. Breathwork helped me let go of needing outside approval. I feel way more in sync with who I am, not just what I do.”— Entrepreneur

This isn’t just about performance. It’s about presence. When you shift the nervous system, confidence follows naturally.

So What Now?

If you’re stuck in a cycle of second-guessing yourself, it might not be imposter syndrome, it might be misalignment. It might be your body saying, “Hey—something doesn’t feel right here.” Let’s tune in. Not push through.

Here’s how we can work together: