Imposter Syndrome, Diet Dr. Pepper, and the Not-So-Perfect Yogi Life

By Kristin Cambron Steele

Imposter syndrome isn’t just for big moments. It sneaks into our everyday lives—into parenting, work, relationships… even teaching yoga.Yes, even we yoga teachers feel like frauds sometimes.

There are weeks I’ve barely made it to my mat, let alone led a class with “grounded presence.” I’ve felt like I was failing at everything: trying to be a present parent, a productive employee, a thoughtful friend—and somewhere in there, remembering to do a sun salutation that didn’t end in me groaning on the floor.

And let’s not forget the yogi guilt.We're “supposed” to eat clean, meditate daily, and basically glow from the inside out. But me? I’ve been surviving some weeks on stress, stale granola bars, and an embarrassing amount of Diet Dr. Pepper. I know it’s not healthy—it’s practically a can of carcinogenic sugar water—but sometimes, in the middle of overwhelm, it’s my tiny rebellion. My fizzy little secret vice.

Pair that with weight fluctuations, time off the mat due to stress and injury, and suddenly I’m asking:“Who am I to be teaching this?”“Where did my practice go?”

But then, I return. Slowly, awkwardly, sometimes tearfully—but I return. And every time I do, I’m reminded that yoga isn’t about being the “ideal yogi.” It’s not about how flexible you are, how perfect your diet is, or how often you hit your hand stand.

Yoga is about coming home to yourself—again and again—with grace, honesty, and patience. It's about self-forgiveness through hard seasons. It's about recognizing that growth doesn’t happen only in the easy times—it happens when we stay present through the struggle. When we wobble in tree pose, but don’t give up. When we sit with uncomfortable emotions instead of numbing out. When we fall off the path and still choose to come back. Whether you’re a parent trying not to lose your cool, an employee questioning your worth, a friend wondering if you’re doing enough, or a yogi in a Diet Dr. Pepper phase—you’re not alone. We all have our hills and valleys.

Yoga reminds me: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. And even if I stray from my values or my practice for a while, I can always return—to the mat, to my breath, to love.

So here’s to showing up imperfectly, loving ourselves anyway, and remembering that the strength to start again is a victory all its own.

Namaste Friends—and maybe a little carbonated caffeine in your corner too.

Love,

Kristin