Anxious Tradeswoman

About Anxious Tradeswoman

A podcast about growth, realistic tools, practical strategies, and support. Whether you’re starting out, facing challenges, or looking to level up, Building Confidence brings you real conversations, practical insights, and inspiring stories to help you navigate your journey with confidence. Your host, Louise, is a heavy vehicle and plant mechanic by trade who started her apprenticeship at just 15 years old. Over the years, she has faced and overcome harassment, impostor syndrome, mental health struggles, and workplace challenges—while also achieving industry awards and experience in both large corporations and family businesses. Now a life coach and mentor for tradeswomen, Louise is here to share the lessons she’s learned so that her struggles weren’t for nothing—and so you can build the confidence to take charge of your own path.

Publisher

Louise Azzopardi

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jun 2023

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

174 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   You're Never Really Starting from Scratch - Building Confidence - Episode 173

   What if the fear of starting again is stopping you from trying something new? In this episode of Building Confidence, we're talking about something I genuinely believe: you're never actually starting from the beginning again. Whether you're thinking about changing jobs, leaving a workplace, starting a new career or taking a completely different direction in life, it can be easy to worry that if things don't work out, you'll end up back at square one. But are you really going backwards? After a conversation with one of my coaching clients about the fear of making the wrong career decision, I wanted to share a different way of looking at starting over. Because even when something doesn't work out the way you hoped, you haven't lost everything you learnt along the way. You still have the skills, knowledge, experiences, relationships and lessons that came from that chapter of your life. And sometimes the most valuable thing you learn is what you never want to experience again! In this episode, we discuss: Why you're never truly starting from square one The fear of making the wrong career or life decision Recognising the transferable skills you've gained along the way Why changing direction doesn't mean you've wasted your time Learning from difficult workplaces and challenging experiences How even the experiences we'd rather forget can teach us something Looking back at your achievements when you feel like you haven't made progress Giving yourself permission to try something new Remembering that personal growth doesn't always happen in a straight line I also reflect on my own apprenticeship and how, despite some difficult experiences, distractions and challenges with my confidence and mental health, I still achieved so much during that time. When I moved into my next job, I wasn't the same person who had started her apprenticeship years earlier. I had new skills, qualifications, friendships and experiences to take with me. And the same applies to you. You might be starting a new journey, but you're not starting it as the same person you were when you began your last one. So if you're worried about making a change because you're scared of having to start again, remember that everything you've learnt comes with you. You're growing more than you realise, even when it doesn't feel like it. Shewear proudly supports this episode. She Wear safety work boots that women have designed to fit and look good on women. Not only do they have specially designed work boots for women, but they also have a wide range of women's work wear from various brands in one spot! Get shopping at http://www.shewear.com.au

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   The Little Things That Build an Incredible Career - Hannah Legg - Building Confidence – Episode 172

   What if the little things you do today are what create your biggest opportunities tomorrow? In this episode of Building Confidence, I'm joined by Hannah, founder of HER Engineering, Machining and Maintenance, to talk about her incredible journey from apprentice fitter and machinist to multi-skilled tradeswoman, business owner and specialist working on some seriously massive mining equipment. Hannah's journey hasn't been without challenges. After struggling to secure an apprenticeship, she eventually became the first woman to qualify as a tradesperson at King's Engineering in 93 years. During her apprenticeship, she also experienced a life-changing motorbike accident that left her having to relearn everyday skills, including walking and speaking. But with determination, encouragement and the support of people who believed in her, Hannah continued building her career. We talk about her love of learning, gaining additional qualifications, discovering her passion for hydraulics and heavy mining equipment, and eventually taking the leap into running her own business. Throughout the conversation, one message keeps coming up: the little things matter. Whether it's asking another question, taking pride in sweeping the workshop floor, building relationships with experienced tradespeople or simply checking in on someone who's having a tough day, those little actions can have a huge impact. In this episode, we discuss: Hannah's journey into fitting and machining and becoming the first qualified tradeswoman at her workplace in 93 years Recovering from a life-changing motorbike accident during her apprenticeship The impact of mentors, family and coworkers who believe in you Why you should never stop learning after completing your apprenticeship Building additional skills in hydraulics, plant mechanics and auto electrical work Learning to ask for help instead of trying to do everything yourself Taking the leap from employee to business owner Building a professional reputation through consistency, initiative and quality work Why the little jobs, including sweeping floors, can demonstrate your work ethic Asking why instead of simply doing what you're told Building relationships with tradespeople who might initially seem difficult to approach Why small gestures of kindness can make a massive difference to someone's life Whether you're just starting your apprenticeship, looking to grow your skills or dreaming of starting your own business, Hannah's story is a reminder that you don't have to have everything figured out from the beginning. Keep learning, ask questions, take opportunities and don't underestimate the little things. They might just be what gets you where you want to go. Want to follow along Hannah's journey? Here is her website - https://herengineering.com.au/

3. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Teaching Men How to Work With Women - Building Confidence - Episode 171

   What if the people in your new workplace aren't rejecting you—they're just figuring out how to work with you? In this episode of Building Confidence, we're talking about something that doesn't get discussed very often: teaching men how to work with women. When you enter a male-dominated workplace as a tradeswoman, there's a lot of newness for you. New people, new systems, new expectations and a new workplace culture. But sometimes there's also newness on the other side—because you may genuinely be the first woman some of your coworkers have ever worked alongside. That uncertainty can sometimes look like people being distant, awkward or standoffish. And while sexism and unconscious bias absolutely exist, sometimes there may be something else happening too. Drawing on my own experience entering a workshop where the team had previously had a difficult experience with another woman, I talk about why I often give a new workplace a little time before deciding exactly what's happening. In this episode, we discuss: Why joining a new workplace can feel uncomfortable for everyone involved What can happen when your coworkers have never worked with a woman before Why being standoffish doesn't automatically mean someone doesn't want you there How previous workplace experiences can influence the way people respond to you Giving relationships time to develop before putting a label on what's happening Making the first move when coworkers are nervous about approaching you Staying true to your values and maintaining your boundaries Keeping sight of why you're there in the first place Recognising when the adjustment period has gone on long enough Why one woman's behaviour should never be used to represent all women This isn't about accepting poor behaviour, changing who you are, or taking responsibility for fixing workplace culture. It's about recognising what you can control: how you show up, how you communicate, the boundaries you set and the relationships you choose to build. Sometimes people need a little time to get used to each other. And some of the people who initially have their walls up may eventually become the people you learn the most from. If you would like help and support to implement this process you can book a coaching consultation here If you are business wanting to give your employees more tools to succeed you can book a business chat here Zadie proudly sponsors this episode. Zadie is a workwear brand made by tradeswomen for tradeswomen and is made to fit your hips, thighs and butt; check them out at https://www.zadieworkwear.com.au/

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

4,654

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

18 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

55

Social presence

0

YouTube

74

Engagement

77

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