Carlos, Co-Founder
But behind the business attire and confident façade was a harsh reality: a fear of rejection that kept me second-guessing, staying quiet, shying away from more responsibility, people-pleasing, and missing out on opportunities I knew I wanted. Sound familiar?
For years, I avoided rocking the boat, held back in meetings, and lived for external validation. The result? I was invisible in rooms where I should’ve been leading, stuck on a path that didn’t feel like mine, and missing out on the roles, relationships, and rewards I worked so hard for.
Then, I decided to rewrite the script. I dived into resilience training, studied neuroscience, psychology, ancient philosophy, and anything that could help me (and others like me) reject the fear of, well, rejection. That journey led me to the U.S. Army Resilience program, where I got certified to teach soldiers and leaders how to face judgment, stress, and adversity head-on. It led me on a path of continuous testing and personal experimentation—at work, in ultra running, and in combat sports. And eventually, I created True Progress Lab to bring those same principles to leaders who are ready to step up.
When you eliminate the need for constant approval, you become unstoppable.
You’ll either be judged because you put yourself out there or ignored and invisible for staying on the sidelines.
Stefanie, Co-Founder
In fact, I started my career as someone who’d much rather sit quietly in the corner than speak up. Like so many others, I let the fear of rejection (yep, the dreaded FOPO: fear of other people’s opinions) hold me back.
Back in my high-pressure global HR days in Washington, DC—think of it as a corporate Olympics—I had all the technical skills but none of the confidence to assert myself. I was “smart but too quiet” and “not assertive enough.” And guess what? That kept me stuck. I watched others climb the ladder—not because they worked harder or got better results, but because they spoke up, took space, and led with confidence. Meanwhile, I was in the background, full of ideas but too afraid to share them.
One day, I decided enough was enough. I started to figure out what separated the ones who thrived from the ones who just worked hard. It wasn’t talent or smarts—it was courage. The courage to take risks, speak boldly, and shrug off the fear of what other people might think.
Fast forward to now, and I’ve transformed that journey into my mission with True Progress Lab. Our goal? To help brilliant professionals like you stop holding back, start showing up, and get noticed for the leaders you truly are. We’ll help you kick FOPO to the curb, master executive communication, and build the confidence to not just sit at the table—but lead it.
In addition to my years of experience coaching high-level professionals, I am also MBTI certified, which allows me to bring a deeper level of self-awareness to the individuals and teams I work with. I’ve conducted dozens of successful workshops, in-person and virtually, with global audiences, helping teams enhance performance, manage stress, and resolve conflict more effectively. My workshops are designed to help participants understand their unique personality types, leverage their strengths, and navigate challenges with more clarity and confidence.
