Podcast Summary: F.I.R.E.D UP with Krista Mashore
Episode 961: How To Be Dangerously Confident
Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Krista Mashore
Episode Overview
In this empowering solo episode, Krista Mashore dives into the topic of confidence in entrepreneurship—how to cultivate it, why waiting until you “feel ready” is a fallacy, and actionable steps you can use to become “dangerously confident” in your business pursuits. Krista draws from her own challenging beginnings and transformative career experiences to deliver hard truths and a practical framework for building confidence, even when fear is present.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Myth of “Feeling Ready”
-
Confidence is not about feeling ready (00:10 - 03:45)
- Krista debunks the idea that readiness precedes confidence:
"Confidence has nothing to do with feeling ready and everything to doing it scared." — Krista ([00:02])
- Confidence is built by doing things despite fear, not by affirmations or waiting for self-assurance.
- Krista debunks the idea that readiness precedes confidence:
-
Krista’s backstory as proof
- Details her journey from foster care, group homes, and feeling unloved to building a $68 million business in under 8 years.
-
"When I turned 18, they kicked me out of the house because the money quit coming in. You have your story too." — Krista ([01:49])
2. Evidence over Affirmations
-
Taking Action Creates Confidence (03:50 - 07:35)
- Affirmations alone aren’t enough ("I did that in my 20s. It didn't change anything." [02:42])
- Confidence comes from keeping promises to yourself and stacking small wins.
-
"Your brain builds identity based on proof that you give it." — Krista ([03:02])
-
Early struggles with public speaking
- Recalls being terrified to speak in front of 20 real estate peers, even messing up her own name ([03:37])
- Despite anxiety, she pressed on for the sake of her bigger dream to help others.
-
"I would literally shake with afraidness... But my dream is to help people, to make an impact... And in order to do that, I had to speak on stages." ([04:00])
3. The Power of Visualization: The “Manifesto”
-
Writing a future version of yourself (07:40 - 10:20)
- Krista’s manifesto: a written narrative imagining her future success, composed when she was still scared and inexperienced.
-
"I’m a loving, loyal, supportive wife, mother and friend... I am a leader. I positively affect every life that I touch. I make a difference in the world." ([06:34])
- Faith in vision over immediate reality leads to real change.
-
Examples of evidence:
- Eventually spoke at major events: Tony Robbins & Dean Graziosi’s challenge, Russell Brunson’s Funnel Hacking Live, etc.
4. Learning by Failing Forward
- Sharing a memorable “fail” (10:22 - 13:00)
- Fell on stage in front of 300 people and forgot her memorized speech.
- Afterward, instead of quitting, Krista looked for opportunities to improve.
"It was terrible, but I did not stop. I kept going until I got better and better and better." ([10:56])
- Emphasizes progress isn’t about immediate success but “the vision of my future self stepping into the reality I wanted to create.”
5. Krista’s Entrepreneurial Confidence Framework
Three Key Steps: (13:08 - 18:47)
-
Track truth, not feelings
- Focus on data, not emotion. Collect evidence of growth (views, comments, engagement).
-
"Confidence doesn't come from hype, it comes from data." ([13:11])
-
Make it stupid small
- Break tasks into the tiniest possible actions.
- Example: Helping timid student “Caroline” go from video-texting friends to recording public educational videos, growing her skills incrementally.
"Don’t try to eat the whole elephant in one bite." ([15:31])
-
Take fear with you
- Fear is not the enemy, it’s proof you’re doing something new.
-
"When I step on stage, my mouth is dry, my heart’s racing. Within minutes it fades. Not because I...eliminated the fear, but because I walked straight through it." ([17:12])
6. The Business Case for Confidence
- Confidence & enthusiasm drive sales (18:55 - 20:30)
- If you want prospects to feel confident in you, show up confidently, even if you have to “do it scared.”
-
"Confidence sells. Enthusiasm sells." ([19:37])
- Summarizes: stack the reps, track the wins, break it small, do it scared, don’t be afraid of mistakes.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Confidence comes from evidence and evidence comes from doing, especially when you don't feel like it." — [03:00]
- "It was terrible, but I did not stop. I kept going until I got better and better and better." — [10:56]
- "Track your wins. Break your goals into tiny, winnable steps. And don't wait to feel fearless. Do it scared." — [18:02]
- "Fear is proof that your brain is working and fear is proof that you're moving forward. You don't get rid of it, you carry it with you." — [17:45]
- "Confidence sells. Enthusiasm sells. So the more you appear that way, the more you are going to win." — [19:37]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:02 — Krista reframes confidence as “doing it scared,” not feeling ready
- 03:02 — The process: confidence comes from small acts, not affirmations
- 04:00 — Real estate public speaking: first experience with fear
- 06:34 — Krista’s “manifesto” vision for her future self
- 10:56 — Story of failing on stage, but persisting
- 13:11 — Confidence framework introduction: “Track truth, not feelings”
- 15:31 — “Make it stupid small”: start with micro actions
- 17:45 — Fear as a sign of growth: “Take fear with you”
- 18:02 — “Do it scared”—the path to results and confidence
- 19:37 — The real business value of outward confidence and enthusiasm
Conclusion & Call to Action
Krista wraps up with an urgent reminder for entrepreneurs:
- Build confidence by taking intentional action, stacking small wins, and bringing your fear along for the journey.
- “Do it scared” is not just a motto but the critical path to growth in business and beyond.
- For practical next steps, Krista plugs her upcoming resource on “the five leadership skills every entrepreneur needs.”
This episode is a motivating guide for anyone feeling held back by fear or imposter syndrome, packed with real-life examples and tactical strategies to fuel both personal growth and professional success.
