There’s a quiet fear I hear from so many women—especially in midlife.

It sounds like this:
“I should be further along by now.”
Or worse:
“I guess I’m starting over.”

In this week’s conversation on Penny for Your Shots, I sat down with Julie DeLucca-Collins, and what unfolded was one of those grounding, exhale-worthy reminders that so many of us need to hear:

You’re not starting from zero.
You’re starting from experience.

The Myth of “Starting Over”

Somewhere along the way, many women internalize the idea that if we pause, pivot, or change direction, everything we’ve done before somehow stops counting.

Julie and I both know how damaging that belief can be.

Julie spent years in education and corporate leadership before being laid off during the pandemic—a moment that could have been framed as loss or failure. Instead, it became a catalyst. Not because she suddenly became brave or fearless—but because she trusted herself enough to take the next step.

That’s the part we often miss.

Confidence isn’t loud.
It’s not hustle.
It’s not having everything figured out.

Confidence is trusting yourself while you’re unsure.

You’re Carrying More Than You Think

One of the most powerful themes in our conversation was how often women discount the skills they already have.

Managing a household.
Advocating for your kids.
Navigating careers, caregiving, leadership, relationships.

Those aren’t “gaps” in your résumé. They’re proof of capability.

Julie shared stories of women who believed they had to shrink their ambitions because they’d stepped away from traditional career paths—only to realize they were already doing complex, high-level work every single day.

You don’t lose your skills just because your title changes.

You carry them with you.

Confidence Grows in Community

Another truth we kept coming back to:
Women aren’t meant to do this alone.

Julie talks about the idea of believing mirrors—the people who can see your strength when you can’t. The friends, mentors, and communities that reflect back your capability, not your doubts.

So many women are generous with encouragement for others… and painfully harsh with themselves.

Sometimes confidence doesn’t come from digging deeper inside yourself.
Sometimes it comes from borrowing belief until yours catches up.

The Brave Move Is Often Small

One of my favorite moments in the conversation came when Julie talked about bravery—not as big, dramatic leaps, but as small, human choices.

Showing up even when you’re scared.
Taking the next step without certainty.
Doing the thing imperfectly.

The brave move doesn’t have to be loud.
It just has to be honest.

A Gentle Reminder (If You Need One)

If you’re standing in a season of change—career, business, identity, or life—and wondering if it’s too late or if you’ve somehow fallen behind, let me say this clearly:

Nothing you’ve lived, learned, or survived has been wasted.

You are not starting over.
You’re building on everything.

And that matters more than you think.

Connect with Julie and explore her work here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julie_deluccacollins/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goconfidentlyjulie/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jdelucca 

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliedeluccacollins 

🎙 Julie’s Podcast: https://www.goconfidentlycoaching.com/podcast 
🎤 TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/WrcJisG_wmc 
🔗 Resources & Quick Links: https://www.goconfidentlycoaching.com/quicklinks