Denise Coursey

I’ve been practicing martial arts for more than two decades. I have two black belts. I was president of an asset management company, and I left that career to launch my own business. I’ve helped many women and men improve their minds, bodies, and lives through karate — and some to find new career paths along the way.

That paragraph isn’t for you; it’s for me. I’m not bragging. I did those things. Those are facts -- facts that I sometimes need to remind myself of. By “sometimes,” I mean almost every day.

Imposter Syndrome. The struggle is real. For women and men. 

How did I break free? It all started with a 12 x 12-inch piece of pine board, a tough-love sensei  -- and my fist crashing through that board.

That was more than 20 years ago. From that point on, whenever I doubted myself or was afraid to take the next step in my career, I’d say to myself, “I broke a board with my fist. I can do this.” (Sometimes I included an expletive or two.)

Breaking that board was not the hardest thing I’ve done in the dojo or in my career, but it was the first “impossible” thing. And after that, every time I faced a situation that I was certain was impossible -- whether in the dojo, my career, or my life -- I knew that nothing was beyond my reach.

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This blog is about my journey. From white belt to 3rd degree black belt. From executive assistant to executive.

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It’s my hope that these stories and lessons will help you break through a few boards on your own.