What if fear wasn’t the enemy—but a signal that you’re onto something that matters? I’m thrilled to welcome back one of my favorite guests (and humans), Mary Marantz, to celebrate the launch of her new book Underestimated.

In this episode, we crack open the fears that keep so many of us stuck—especially the ones we whisper to ourselves. Mary shares why being underestimated shaped her, how fear masks itself in things like perfectionism and overthinking, and how we can stop self-sabotaging and start standing tall in our stories.

We talk about creative entrepreneurs, leadership, legacy, and the real work of showing up even when it’s hard. You’ll want to grab a notebook—and probably a tissue.

From Single-Wide Trailer to Yale—And Still Feeling Underestimated

Mary’s journey from a single-wide trailer in West Virginia to Yale Law is the kind of story you expect to see in a movie. But her book isn’t just about proving people wrong—it’s about how we internalize those underestimations and continue to doubt ourselves long after we’ve “made it.”

Why We Fear Success More Than Failure

I’ve been battling my own fears around visibility—not just showing up, but owning my space. I know I’m not alone in this. Mary explained how fear masquerades as perfectionism, people-pleasing, and procrastination. Her insight? Naming your fear makes it lose power. And success? It’s not the end of the underdog story—it’s just the beginning of new work.

Playing Small Isn’t Noble—It’s Costly

One of the biggest takeaways: staying silent or invisible doesn’t serve the world. Mary challenges us to consider the ripple effect of our courage—or our absence. The good news? We don’t have to become someone else to lead; we just have to stop disqualifying ourselves.

Connect with Mary

marymarantz.com

namethefear.com

instagram.com/marymarantz

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The post 202: Why Success Scares Us More Than Failure with Mary Marantz appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.