I've been holding onto stories, truths, and lessons that deserve to be shared - not just for me, but for anyone who needs to hear them. Sometimes the hardest stories to tell are the ones that hold the most power. They're raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically real. That's what Fiercely Unfiltered is all about— creating a space where vulnerability meets strength, where silence is replaced with courage, and where every story is told with purpose. This isn't just a podcast. It's a conversation. It's healing. It's growth.
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I've been holding onto stories, truths, and lessons that deserve to be shared - not just for me, but for anyone who needs to hear them. Sometimes the hardest stories to tell are the ones that hold the most power. They're raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically real. That's what Fiercely Unfiltered is all about— creating a space where vulnerability meets strength, where silence is replaced with courage, and where every story is told with purpose. This isn't just a podcast. It's a conversation. It's healing. It's growth.
Why Confidence Crumbles Before Puberty Even Starts
Fiercely Unfiltered with Kelly Renee
17 minutes
4 months ago
Why Confidence Crumbles Before Puberty Even Starts
Did you know that many girls as young as nine struggle with body image? In this episode of Fiercely Unfiltered, host Kelly Renee dives deep into the hidden scars we carry, not the ones you can see, but the emotional ones that quietly shape how we see ourselves. From her own memories of feeling different in fifth grade to her guilt as a parent navigating her son’s painful struggle with acne, Kelly explores how early comparisons, body image, and societal expectations plant seeds of self-doubt far too young.
She doesn’t just speak from experience; she speaks with brutal honesty about what it’s like to grow up feeling out of sync with your body and how those insecurities evolve as we age. Kelly reflects on the judgment we face, sometimes even from ourselves, and how we can reclaim our power by showing up, choosing self-compassion, and not letting other people’s opinions define us.
Whether you’re a late bloomer, a parent, or just someone who’s ever looked in the mirror and wished for “more,” this episode is a raw reminder that everyone carries unseen pain, and it’s never too late to embrace your worth. Because at the end of the day? The fiercest thing you can be… is unapologetically you.
Key Takeaways
How confidence struggles start early, often in elementary school
The decision I made for my son that still haunts me, and what it taught me
Girls are taught to compare before they even understand their worth
Boys battle invisible insecurities too, just in silence
Confidence is built by doing what you said you'd do
You’ll never be too much for the right people, stop shrinking to fit in
In This Episode
(00:01) Introduction & invisible pain
(01:11) Puberty & early body image struggles
(02:20) Late development & boys’ challenges
(04:13) Parental guilt & societal pressure
(05:18) How comparison starts young
(06:35) Coping mechanisms & adult self-acceptance
(07:51) Combating negative self-talk
(08:59) Changing bodies & childhood awkwardness
(10:22) Embracing uniqueness & building confidence
(11:28) Dealing with criticism & self-belief
(12:31) Parenting, mistakes, & empathy
(13:40) Universal struggles & perspective on pain
(15:02) Gratitude for struggles & resilience
(16:05) Kindness, non-judgment, & closing
Notable Quotes
[05:08] "It's sad that we always want what we don't have. People with big boobs want little boobs. Tall people wish they were shorter. People with thin hair wish they had thick hair." — Kelly Renee
[05:41] "They say 90% of females in the world are unhappy and wish they could change something about their body. And girls as young as nine years old have confidence and self-body issues." — Kelly Renee
[08:56] "I wish this was a class they taught in school. Self-confidence, comparison, and being happy with the body you live in." — Kelly Renee
[04:48] "It's sad how in society your confidence is shaken before you even know what confidence is." — Kelly Renee
[10:39] "If people say, 'I've never met anyone like you,' take it as a compliment." — Kelly Renee
[12:19] "You're never going to be like everyone else. God created us all different for reasons. So lean into your superpowers, lean into who you are and be the best person you can be." — Kelly Renee
Resources and Links
Fiercely Unfiltered
Fiercely Unfiltered with Kelly Renee
Kelly Renee
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Fiercely Unfiltered with Kelly Renee
I've been holding onto stories, truths, and lessons that deserve to be shared - not just for me, but for anyone who needs to hear them. Sometimes the hardest stories to tell are the ones that hold the most power. They're raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically real. That's what Fiercely Unfiltered is all about— creating a space where vulnerability meets strength, where silence is replaced with courage, and where every story is told with purpose. This isn't just a podcast. It's a conversation. It's healing. It's growth.
