I’ve always called myself a nerd—and I’ve always been proud of it.
One of the first newspaper profiles written about me had a large quote highlighting how I defined the difference between a “nerd” and a “geek.” (For the record, I’m still not sure that my definition holds up today, but I do know this: I’ve always self-identified as a nerd.)
A friend shared that she had called her 12-year-old daughter a nerd, and the daughter took it like an insult. Quickly, my friend explained, “No! It’s good to be smart. It’s good to be a bit nerdy!”
Later, as her daughter read my book, she commented that she loved how I owned being a nerd as an aspect of my personality, and that it was cool. She had begun to see it in a different light (she still didn’t like that I call myself a dork on page 147, though. That’s fair.).
For me, being a nerd was never an insult. But her reaction reminded me that words carry baggage—especially for kids trying to figure out who they are. When her mom reframed it—“Look, you can be a nerd and fashionable. You can be a nerd and confiden,” she began to see the word differently. Then she read my book and saw what it's like to be a nerd in action. Sometimes, we need someone to model pride in an identity before we can claim it as our own.
The Power of Words
When I call myself a nerd, I’m signaling that it’s not something to hide. It’s something to embrace. Nerds are passionate. They dive deep. They care. And that’s cool.
The words you choose always carry some weight. I hate being called a jogger, for instance, I’m a runner (it’s safer).
My mom once said in an interview, “My kids aren’t overachievers. They’re just achievers.” She didn’t like the word “overachiever” because it implied something unnatural, like we were trying too hard or worse, that she had pushed us too hard.
To her, achieving wasn’t a badge of extra effort; it was simply part of who we were. Her refusal to label us as “overachievers” also normalizes our success in a good way. We don’t have to be “overachievers” to design success.
Why This Matters (Especially Now)
In an age where AI can strip away context and identities can feel flattened into data points, the words we use to describe ourselves matter more than ever. They’re not just labels. They’re part of our stories, and I should know, I used to start off a lot of stories with, “one time, at nerd camp…”
When I own the word “nerd,” I hope I’m showing the young girls in my life, and anyone else watching/reading, that it’s powerful to name and celebrate who you are. You can be a nerd and a leader. A nerd and a founder. A nerd and anything else you want to be.
Final Thought
If someone calls you a nerd, take it as a compliment. If someone calls you an “overachiever,” ask yourself if they’re really just seeing your passion and drive. The way we describe ourselves—and the way we let others describe us—matters. Because when you choose your words intentionally, you’re not just telling people who you are. You’re telling them what’s possible.
Thanks for reading! A few things…
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