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50 Empowering Self-Confidence Quotes to Inspire You

These powerful words can help you feel more secure in the skin you’re in.

By Brigitt EarleyUpdated 30 August 2024

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Imposter syndrome—a common psychological phenomenon that makes you feel like a fraud and doubt your abilities—can stop you in your tracks quickly. And according to research, it’s a very real condition, affecting a significant portion of the population across age groups and demographics. Ironically, it’s typically experienced by otherwise high-achieving individuals—like athletes—and can lead to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt, which can ultimately hold you back from your goals.

If these feelings start to creep in and threaten to thwart your own personal goals, athletic or otherwise, the right self-confidence quotes can help give you the boost you need to put one foot in front of the other with your chin up. 

“We need motivation to quickly counteract the negative self-talk in our heads,” explains Leslie Dobson, PsyD, a clinical and forensic psychologist. “Motivational quotes are a great distraction, and they direct our minds out of our internal world, forcing us to read or hear the quote, and giving us a positive emotion and feeling of hope to grab onto,” she explains. “When we do that, we increase our momentum, and in turn increase our motivation once again.” 

Below, more than four dozen self-confidence quotes to motivate and empower you, including many from Peloton's top-tier fitness instructors, who are experts in helping you bring your A-game.

50 Inspiring Self-Confidence Quotes

  1. “You did not wake up to be mediocre.” —Peloton instructor Robin Arzón

  2. “I am, I can, I will, I do.” —Peloton instructor Christine D’Ercole

  3. “There’s no limit to what you can do.” —Peloton instructor Adrian Williams

  4. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” —Arthur Ashe

  5. “You can’t hate yourself into change. Love yourself into greatness.” —Peloton instructor Emma Lovewell

  6. “We’re all about progress, not perfection.” —Peloton instructor Selena Samuela

  7. “You are a rockstar. Treat yourself accordingly.” —Peloton instructor Hannah Corbin

  8. “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” —Fred DeVito

  9. “Bring it. Build it. Become it.” —Peloton instructor Sam Yo 

  10. “Don’t be defined by other people’s expectations. Define your own strengths.” —Peloton instructor Susie Chan

  11. “Embrace the beauty of uncertainty. It’s a place of infinite possibility.” —Peloton instructor Tunde Oyeneyin

  12. “Confidence is the most important single factor in this game, and no matter how great your natural talent, there is only one way to obtain and sustain it: work.” —Jack Nicklaus

  13. “If you think you can’t, change your mind.” —Peloton instructor Denis Morton

  14. “Believe in yourself, and you’re halfway there.” —Peloton instructor Callie Gullickson

  15. “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” —Thomas Edison

  16. “What you have to give, the world needs.” —Peloton instructor Aditi Shah

  17. “Everything you could possibly ever want, have, or need is right here inside of you.” —Kristin McGee

  18. “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” —Helen Keller

  19. “Rise up and greet your higher self.” —Kendall Toole

  20. “The numbers do not define you.” —Peloton instructor Christine D’Ercole

  21. “Never give up because great things take time.” —Peloton instructor Adrian Williams

  22. “I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” —Anna Freud

  23. “You are not enough. You are everything!” —Peloton instructor Matty Maggiacomo

  24. “Don’t compare your chapter one with someone else’s chapter six.” —Peloton instructor Ally Love

  25. “Acknowledge the fear and do it anyway.” —Peloton instructor Emma Lovewell

  26. “Trust that you are doing it right.” —Peloton instructor Chelsea Jackson Roberts

  27. “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” —Michelle Obama

  28. “Put your crown back on your head and remember who you are.” —Peloton instructor Robin Arzón

  29. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

  30. “They can knock you down, but they can never knock you out.” —Kendall Toole

  31. “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” —Michael Jordan

  32. “You’re allowed to be a work in progress and a masterpiece at the same damn time.” —Peloton instructor Jess Sims

  33. “Inhale confidence, exhale doubt.” —Peloton instructor Alex Toussaint

  34. “Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do, and at some point, you will.” —Venus Williams 

  35. “Challenge yourself, and be determined to thrive.” —Peloton instructor Becs Gentry

  36. “If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won even before you have started.” —Marcus Tullius Cicero

  37. “Sometimes you have to fight more than once to win it.” —Peloton instructor Bradley Rose

  38. “Can I do this? Absolutely!” —Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby

  39. “Dream it. Believe it. Receive it.” —Peloton instructor Selena Samuela

  40. “The difference between try and triumph is a little ‘umph.’” —Marvin Phillips

  41. “Own your body. Challenge your mind.” —Peloton instructor Hannah Frankson

  42. “Look for balance but always be willing to fall.” —Peloton instructor Anna Greenberg

  43. “Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory.” —Arthur Ashe

  44. “Don’t let anyone dim your light. You were born to shine, baby!” —Peloton instructor Kirsten Ferguson

  45. “Experience your own resilience.” —Peloton instructor Mariana Fernández

  46. “Don’t rely on compliments for confidence.” —Peloton instructor Christine D’Ercole

  47. “I am Superman. And the only thing that can kill Superman is Kryptonite. And Kryptonite doesn’t exist.” —Shaquille O'Neal

  48. “Feel good. Look good. Do better! … Trust the process.” —Peloton instructor Alex Toussaint

  49. “Limits only exist in your mind. If you want, you can do so much more.” —Tobias Heinze

  50. “Self-confidence is contagious.” —Stephen Richards

How Can Self-Confidence Quotes Inspire and Empower You?

In our daily lives, we often encounter stress and engage in comparison with others, which can rear up imposter syndrome or leave us feeling stuck. “This can be emotionally draining, leading to a cycle where we’re not fully present or feeling good about ourselves,” explains licensed therapist Rachel Goldberg, founder of Rachel Goldberg Therapy in Los Angeles. “What a confidence-boosting quote does is first, it slows us down, creating a moment of presence and introspection.” 

When a particular quote really resonates with us, “it activates a part of our brain linked to self-processing and self-worth, enhancing our sense of competence and reminding us of our value,” Goldberg says. A 2016 study on positive self-affirmations found that this brain activity can actually predict changes in behavior consistent with the affirmation, such as engaging in physical activity, she adds. It’s important to note, however, that for this to be effective, we must genuinely slow down and connect with the quote, rather than just skimming it while multitasking.

For a consistent stream of confidence-boosting quotes that might resonate with you, check out the Peloton App. You’ll find tons of classes that are jam-packed with empowering quotes to help you crush your sweat session and realize your ultimate potential (both during and after your workout).

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized advice. It is not intended to replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician for questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. If you are having a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately.

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