Leap Before You Look

Cara Moeller Poppitt, BComm'06, BA'06, is no stranger to big, bold changes. As a University of Calgary grad, she’s always been driven by curiosity, resilience and the desire to empower others.  

Now a global thought leader, international speaker and the author of a new book, Big Freakin' Change, set for release this June, published by Page Two and distributed by Macmillan, Poppitt is inspiring individuals to step out before they’re ready, embrace transformative action and level up their lives. Her core message? Readiness is not a state of being, but the feeling that comes after you take action. 

Her journey from UCalgary to the global stage has been one of constant change, adaptation and grit — qualities she first honed at just 17. 

At that young age, Poppitt took a bold step, moving to Mexico alone to pursue dance. She didn’t speak the language, had limited resources and relied on a bicycle to get around — but she was determined. That year of exploration led her to additional work in the Dominican Republic and later traveling across Europe, reinforcing a lesson she carries to this day: growth comes from action, not waiting for the perfect moment. 

“I was so happy. I was going to learn all the Latin styles and become a performer,” she says. “That one year was pivotal for me — it really taught me to just go, trust myself and figure it out,” 

That willingness to leave her comfort zone would later define her career. After her travels, Poppitt pursued a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Bachelor of Commerce in marketing at UCalgary — an unconventional combination at the time. But, for her, understanding both human behaviour and business strategy made perfect sense. 

“Business is all about connection. When you understand the psychology of people and the psychology of business, you can do great work,” she says. 

Poppitt put that philosophy into action as the founder of two award-winning companies: Soul Connexion, a leading dance studio, and a syllabus company, serving studios internationally, Studio Fine Arts Club. She has helped to guide more than 10,000 entrepreneurs to success and ranks among the top two per cent of female entrepreneurs in North America. Her accolades include being named Global TV’s Woman of Vision and CIBC’s Student Entrepreneur of the Year for Western Canada which she received while attending University. She started her first dance business while being a full-time student which operated through World Health Clubs.  

Through it all, Poppitt credits her time at UCalgary for planting the seeds of self-discovery, creativity and growth that would later shape her career. 

“Business is all about connection. When you understand the psychology of people and the psychology of business, you can do great work,”

Women and Risk: A Key Part of the Confidence Equation 

Poppitt recognizes that risk-tolerance plays a significant role in building confidence, particularly for women. “Women have less risk adversity,” she explains. “It’s evolutionary; we are programmed to be caretakers, to take care of more people and we often don’t put ourselves first.” 

Her own career is proof of what happens when women push beyond these expectations.  

“Opening my own business was a huge leap. I signed a million-dollar lease commercial lease for Soul Connexion at 26, knowing that, if it tanked, it would be horrendous,” Poppitt recalls. “Everything I was told not to do, I did, because that was the expectation for me to get a commercial space.” 

Beyond financial risks, she also had to challenge perceptions. “People often saw me as just a ‘dance girl’ trying to run a business. But no — I’m a businesswoman who also loves dance,” she says. Poppitt’s ability to step into this identity, despite external skepticism, became a defining moment in her entrepreneurial path. 

The influence of strong women in her life also played a key role in shaping her mindset.  

“My grandmother was a very strong woman. She had five kids, worked, exercised every morning, did her hair and makeup, and always told me, ‘Take care of yourself and have God in your life, and things will work out,’” Poppitt says. That resilience and discipline stuck with her. 

While the landscape for women in leadership continues to evolve, change remains slow. 

“It’s going to take 286 years for full gender equality to be established, according to the UN,” Poppitt points out. “We still have a long way to go, but, if we understand why we are the way we are, then hopefully it will motivate more people to take action.”  

Her own journey into entrepreneurship was a direct confrontation with these barriers.  

“People often saw me as just a ‘dance girl’ trying to run a business. But no — I’m a businesswoman who also loves dance,” 

Confidence Through Action: Key Takeaways from Poppitt’s "Get Unstuck" Model 

Poppitt’s "Get Unstuck, Cycle of Change" model is the cornerstone of her philosophy, an eight-step framework emphasizing that confidence follows action — not the other way around. If you’re waiting to feel ready before taking a big step, Poppitt says, “you’ll be waiting forever.”  

Instead, she encourages readers to take bold actions, even when fear or uncertainty loom large. 

“The premise of my new book is that readiness doesn’t exist,” Poppitt explains. “How could you be ready for something you haven’t experienced before? Our brains are wired for safety, not growth. Fear isn’t something to eliminate — it’s something to embrace and move forward with.”  

Here’s a high-level breakdown of the model: 

Acknowledge You're Stuck 
Many people see being stuck as a negative, but feeling stuck isn’t a failure — it’s an alert that something more is available to you. “Feeling stuck means you’re on the verge of something bigger,” says Poppitt. 

Identify the Type of Change You Want 
Using the eight dimensions of wellness, Poppitt helps individuals pinpoint the exact area they want to change and understand why it’s important. “Most people focus on the outcome, but the key is understanding the feelings attached to the change,” she says. 

Manage Your Mindset 
Change starts in the mind. This step focuses on identifying limiting beliefs and replacing them with updated ones. “We think we should just be fine, but mental health is like physical fitness — you have to work on it daily,” Poppitt says. 

Build Momentum with Small Steps 
Many people take an all-or-nothing approach, leading to burnout and failure. Poppitt encourages small, manageable steps that create lasting confidence. “You don’t have to go all-in,” she says. “Start within your comfort zone, build muscle memory and develop habits that stick.” 

Invest in Yourself 
This step is about intentional self-investment — different from self-care. “It’s not just about getting a massage; it’s about asking yourself, ‘What do I need to move forward?’” Poppitt says, adding high-achievers often forget to pause, reflect and refuel. 

Act Boldly 
Here’s where the “big freakin’ change” happens: stepping outside of your comfort zone and making a bold move. “This is where fear and doubt come in,” Poppitt says. “But, by this point, you’ve developed the confidence to charge forward.” 

Enjoy the Journey 
Whether the change leads to success or failure, the real win is flexing the courage muscle. “You don’t need more confidence to act — you need courage,” Poppitt says. “Every time you take a step, you realize you’re capable of more.” 

Unlock Confidence 
Many people believe they need confidence first, Poppitt says, but it’s actually the last step in the process. “The confidence crisis today is because we have the model backwards,” she says. “We wait to feel ready before acting, but it’s the action that builds confidence.” 

“The premise of my new book is that readiness doesn’t exist,” Poppitt explains. “How could you be ready for something you haven’t experienced before? Our brains are wired for safety, not growth. Fear isn’t something to eliminate — it’s something to embrace and move forward with.” 

Looking Forward 

Poppitt’s keynote at the upcoming Launch Your Career Conference on March 4th will offer attendees a deeper dive into the Get Unstuck Cycle of Change and practical strategies for stepping into their next chapter with confidence. Big Freakin' Change launches on June 17, providing readers with an actionable road map for transformation. 

You can purchase Big Freakin’ Change where all books are sold including Indigo, Barnes & Noble and Target and enjoy inspiration on the run on her podcast Big Freakin’ Change.  

Feeling stuck? Poppitt challenges you to take one bold step today. Whether it’s applying for a job, starting a project or making a long-overdue change, confidence will come with action. As she puts simply: “Don’t wait to feel ready — take the first step. The confidence will follow.”