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’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)

1. 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])

2. 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])

3. 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.