We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Simone Knego a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Simone , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my life was deciding to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This wasn’t just about climbing one of the world’s highest mountains; for me, it was a chance to confront years of self-doubt that had held me back in so many ways. As a mother of six, constantly juggling responsibilities at home and at work, I’d often felt unsure of my own worth, frequently questioning if I was “enough” in all the different roles I played.

When the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro came up, I knew it wasn’t just about reaching a physical summit. This was my chance to tackle a mountain that was both literal and metaphorical. I didn’t fully grasp what I was signing up for, but I understood that if I could overcome the challenges of this climb, I might finally quiet the self-doubt that had lingered for years. I needed to realize what I was capable of.

Standing at the base of that mountain in Tanzania, I was filled with nerves and excitement. Kilimanjaro is no small feat; it stands 19,341 feet tall, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Every day, I faced freezing temperatures, physical exhaustion, and an inner voice that nagged at me, questioning if I had the stamina or courage to keep going. There were no luxuries on the trail. I was climbing in every sense—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

The final night was the most challenging. We began our last ascent at 11 p.m., hiking in total darkness, my body aching and my mind exhausted. Every negative thought I’d ever had about myself came rushing to the surface, amplified by the altitude and fatigue. But as I climbed, I kept reframing those doubts, pressing forward one step at a time.

When the sun finally rose, casting a beautiful light over the peaks, I realized I’d made it. Standing at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment I’d never felt before. It was more than just reaching the summit; it was a moment of clarity and self-respect. For the first time, I truly believed in my own strength and worth.

This climb didn’t just change how I saw myself—it changed my life. This is why I’m so passionate about helping other women realize what they’re capable of. We all have those inner voices telling us we can’t, but I want to show others just how powerful they are when they push past that doubt.

Simone , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Simone Knego— an international speaker, podcast host, coach, and the author of *The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You*. I empower women to build unshakeable confidence so they can create a life filled with purpose and fulfillment. My mission is to help women see their true potential and embrace their unique strengths. My journey into this work was born from my own experience with self-doubt. As a mom of six, balancing a full career and family life, I spent years wrestling with that persistent feeling of “not-enoughness.” Outwardly, everything looked like it was in place, but on the inside, I often questioned my worth and capabilities—something I’ve realized so many ambitious, high-achieving women can relate to.

One of the most transformative experiences for me was summiting Mount Kilimanjaro at age 42. Standing at the top, I found a level of clarity and confidence I’d never experienced before, which shifted my perspective on what I was capable of. That moment inspired me to create the REAL Method, a powerful framework to guide women in building genuine self-respect and resilience. This method and my book are rooted in lived experiences, not just theories, and focus on practical, real-life strategies for overcoming self-doubt and connecting with one’s true self.

Through my coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements, I’m passionate about helping high-achieving working moms who thrive professionally yet often feel overwhelmed or disconnected in their personal lives. I guide them to prioritize their own voices, establish boundaries, and embrace failure as a part of growth. I’m incredibly proud when clients tell me that my work has helped them uncover their voices, set meaningful boundaries, and truly believe in their worth.

For anyone considering working with me or exploring my resources, my goal is to help you cultivate unshakeable confidence, embrace your own extraordinary, unordinary self, and trust that you are enough—just as you are.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The driving mission behind my journey is to empower women to see themselves through a lens of strength, worth, and resilience. My work as a confidence coach, speaker, and author is all about helping women—especially ambitious, high-achieving working moms—find the courage to embrace their unique qualities and overcome self-doubt. For many of us, it’s easy to get caught up in the expectations and pressures of life, often feeling like we’re falling short, even when we’re achieving so much.

Through my REAL Method (Respect Your Reflection, Embrace Your Failures, Ask Yourself What You Want, Love the Woman in the Mirror), my goal is to guide women in building genuine self-respect, embracing their individual stories, and creating a life that feels fulfilling and authentic. I want them to see that they don’t have to be perfect to be extraordinary. My own experiences, from raising a beautifully diverse family of six kids to overcoming personal challenges, have shown me the transformative power of self-acceptance and resilience. Every time I connect with women who are ready to take that step toward self-empowerment, I’m reminded why I do this work. It’s about helping them unlock a confidence that feels unshakeable, so they can live a life driven by purpose, joy, and fulfillment.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of my most challenging—and humbling—moments of resilience was bringing my newly adopted son, Noah, home from South Korea. We had just met the day before, and I was both excited and anxious about our 18-hour flight. I’d planned everything, even getting a first-class seat for us to share so he could lie down comfortably. But as soon as we boarded, Noah began to scream—a piercing cry that nothing I did seemed to soothe. For hours, I stood in the galley, rocking him, holding back my own tears, trying everything I could think of to comfort him, despite feeling completely out of my depth. My heart broke as I thought, “How can I help this poor baby who’s just had his world turned upside down?” Yet I kept going, determined to do everything I could for him.

After ten exhausting hours, a flight attendant kindly offered to comfort him in what she called “the Korean way.” She took him on her back, gently bounced, and he fell asleep within moments. In that moment, I realized that resilience isn’t just about handling everything alone; it’s about having the courage to keep trying, to seek solutions, and to accept help when we need it. Now, I encourage other women to embrace this truth: real strength often lies in facing challenges head-on, and sometimes, it’s in letting others support us along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://simoneknego.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simoneknego/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerSimoneKnego
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoneknego/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@her_unshakeable_confidence
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/her-unshakeable-confidence-podcast/id1667058474