Where does Vibrating Therapeutic Apparel CEO Amira Idris, biomedical engineer and pitch competition star, turn for motivation? We asked and she answered.

NPR podcast How I Built This

One of my favorite podcasts to listen to when I’m seeking inspiration and motivation. It is intriguing and inspiring to hear the stories behind well-known entrepreneurs’ successes. I learned about this podcast from my friend Manuela Restrepo when it was on its third episode, and I’ve been hooked ever since. The very first episode was an interview with Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. When I listened to her story, I could relate! She talked about her failures, her successes and difficulties. This was also true with the other entrepreneurs that are guest on the show. Guy Raz, the host of the podcast, does a great job interview his guests. The podcast is very engaging, entertaining, educational, and inspiring.

Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead by Tara Mohr and Lean In For Graduates by Sheryl Sandberg

These are two books I would recommend for ANY woman seeking to overcome self-doubt and self-criticism and to become more successful. Both books address some of the challenges women face, which to my surprise were from women themselves who were consciously and unconsciously playing to societies standards of how a woman “should act.” From reading these books, I learned to identify my inner critic and use it to realize my capabilities, take bold steps, shamelessly promote myself and speak up when I have ideas.
These books include examples of influential women, including the authors themselves, who are still working everyday to “lean in” and “play big.”
To follow these books, I am currently in the process of reading The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance — What Women Should Know by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman. Another great book so far.