You thought the win would make you feel bigger. Instead, it made you feel smaller.
I’ve felt it in every chapter; Navy promotions, corporate climbs, tutoring milestones, even stepping back into coaching. I’d hit the goal, but the high never stuck. What should’ve felt like proof felt like fraud.
That’s the Identity Comedown. Success didn’t change me. It exposed me.
Your wins aren’t too small. Your self-concept is.
Episode Summary:In this episode of Daily Power Boost, we’re unpacking why victories sometimes leave you hollow instead of whole. We’ll explore the nervous system’s resistance to unclaimed identity, how celebration without integration backfires, and what it takes to turn success into self-trust instead of self-sabotage.
✦ In This Episode
* Why big moments often trigger shame, guilt, or collapse
* The difference between celebration and integration
* Three laws of the Identity Comedown, and how to rewrite them
* How to expand your self-concept so wins actually stick
✦ Reflection Prompts
* Where have I shrunk right after a big moment?
* What story about myself didn’t update with my last win?
* If I fully owned this success, how would I move differently?
✦ The Boost (Action Step)
* Name the Win – Write down a recent success you minimized.
* Translate the Win – Instead of “I did this,” write: “I am the kind of person who…”
* Embody the Win – Take one aligned action from that identity today.
✦ Book Your No-Cost Identity Clarity Call
If your biggest wins still feel borrowed, book your No-Cost Identity Clarity Call, and let’s name the story that hasn’t caught up yet. Together we’ll align your self-concept so success feels natural, not like a costume.
✦ On the Next Episode
Marriage as a Mirror: Why Your Partner Reveals What You Hide
Because sometimes the clearest reflection of your leadership isn’t in the boardroom, it’s across the dinner table.
✦ If Today’s Episode Sparked Something…
* Forward this to someone navigating a post-success slump
* Subscribe for rhythm-based identity shifts
* Join the R.E.A.L. Mastery™ Hub
* Message me to apply for Beyond the Boost sessions
✦ Engage With Me Online:
* Instagram: @coachshawnmichael
* TikTok: @coachshawnmichael
* YouTube: @coachshawnmichael
* LinkedIn: @coachinguatemala
✦ References & Influences
* The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks - on the upper limit problem
* Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield - on crossing thresholds of identity
* Transforming Your Self by Steve Andreas - on updating self-concept
* Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges) - on why the nervous system resists sudden visibility
