Battling Impostor Syndrome: Keeping it real on the Grill

Impostor Syndrome and BBQ: Who the Hell Am I to Teach You?

Alright, let’s get this out in the open… I’ve got this annoying little habit of second guessing myself. Call it impostor syndrome, self-doubt, or plain old overthinking, but some days I catch myself wondering, “What the hell am I even doing here?”

I love BBQ. I love the fire, the smoke, the meat, and the occasional whiskey that goes along with it. But sometimes, when I’m about to share something on @ollies_q, I stop myself. Because there’s this little voice in my head saying, “Mate, you’re not a pro. Why would anyone give a shit what you think?”

Staying in the Safe Zone

That voice has kept me in a comfort zone. You’ve probably noticed, I don’t personally feature much on my Instagram. To the point where a friend of mine sometimes refers to my account as “Faceless Q”. I post plenty of my BBQ cooks, my gear, and my BBQ Shack, but rarely me. I told myself, “People are here for the food, not my face,” but deep down, I think it was more the fear of criticism or rejection. The internet can be a brutal place… we’ve all seen it.

I admire those BBQ creators who confidently share “how-to” guides, I watch plenty of them on YouTube and Instagram. When it comes to making them myself though, I hold myself back. Asking, “Who am I to tell people what to do? I’m nobody. What if I stuff it up?” Spoiler alert: I’ve stuffed up plenty. The truth is, I’ve let this stop me from creating content I’d probably enjoy making, and that others might find helpful.

But, I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. I’ve spoken to mates who’ve said the same thing about their hobbies and stuff. We all get caught up in this idea that we’re not “good enough” to share what we know.

Here’s the Truth: I’m Not a Pro

That’s the thing I’m having to remember: no one starts as an expert. Sure, there are BBQ pros out there who’ve been doing this for decades, but not everyone in the BBQ community is at that level. In fact, a lot of people are just starting out. And when you’re a beginner, sometimes you don’t need the most advanced tutorial or the fanciest techniques, you need someone relatable.

That’s where I remind myself that my journey still counts. I’m not a professional pitmaster. I don’t have trophies on my shelves (unless you count the custom apron I got for Christmas one year that says “King of the Grill”). But I’ve been doing this long enough to know my way around a smoker, and I’ve learned a few things that could probably help someone else who’s just starting out.

When I think about the content I consume, I don’t just follow the experts, I follow people who are real. People who share their wins, their mistakes, and everything in between. That’s what will make the BBQ community so much better. It’s not about who’s “best,” or “the best” way to cook something, it’s about sharing what we know, connecting over a shared love of fire, meat, and the occasional whiskey.

There are people out there who’ve never fired up a smoker, who don’t know how to set up their grill for two zone cooking, or what the hell a stall is, or who’ve been overcooking chicken breasts for years because they’re terrified of raw chicken. And if I can share something that helps them, even in the smallest way, then maybe I don’t need to be a “pro” after all.

Time to deal with it… BBQ isn’t about perfection. It’s about standing outside in the backyard, beer in hand, surrounded by smoke, and hoping for the best. (And maybe a little bit about not setting anything on fire.)

The Beauty of Being Relatable

I think what makes BBQ so great is that it’s for everyone. You don’t need fancy gear or a culinary degree to cook a killer feed. You just need patience, a bit of know-how, and the willingness to fail a few times. And hey, I’ve got plenty of experience in the failing department.

What I’m realising is that people don’t just want to learn from the experts, they want to hear from the guy who’s been in their shoes. Maybe there’s a person out there scrolling through Instagram who’s trying to figure out how to use their smoker for the first time? That person doesn’t need perfection; they need encouragement.

By sharing where I’m at right now, I’m not pretending to have all the answers. I’m just saying, “Hey, here’s what I’ve figured out so far… maybe it can help you too.” And honestly, I think that’s enough.

Taking the next step

So, what does this mean for @ollies_q? It means I’m going to push myself out of my comfort zone, little by little. Maybe that’s showing up on screen more often. Maybe it’s posting a quick tip or trick that’s helped me along the way, now matter how basic I think it might be.

I’m not aiming to be the most polished or professional BBQ creator out there. I just want to share what I love and keep connecting with people who love BBQ as much as I do. And who knows? Maybe by stepping out of my comfort zone, I’ll help someone else feel confident enough to start their own journey.

Let’s Have a Chat

What about you? Have you ever held back from sharing something you’re passionate about? Drop a comment, send me a message, or yell at me through the smoker if you’re close enough. I’d love to hear your story and maybe even learn a thing or two from your journey.

And hey, thanks for being here. Whether you’re a BBQ rookie, a seasoned pro, or just someone who likes looking at meat pics, I appreciate you sticking around. Now, let’s get back to the fire.

Cheers,

Ollie