Why Relatable Mentors are Better Than a Celebrity + Examples
- Michael Petkovic
- Mar 25
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 11
Who Should You Take Advice From?
We live in an age where self-improvement content is everywhere.
Hell, I'm just as bad as the next person trying to shove "how to be better" advice down your throat.
But from social media celebrities to best-selling books, someone is always yapping at you to do something with your life.
Generally speaking, it's the ultra-successful—the guru billionaires, elite athletes, and world-renowned entrepreneurs who share their stories. And like most of us, they achieved their success from humble beginnings.
And while these stories are inspiring, they often feel unattainable and detached from everyday struggles.
How can one relate to a billionaire telling you about a personal challenge they've faced when the life they live is in no way like your average Joe?
On the other hand, a relatable mentor—someone just a few steps ahead of where you are in life can offer practical, achievable guidance because they've recently been where you are and are much better placed to advise on how to level up to where they are.
So, instead of looking at Mt Everest as your inspiration, focusing on something a little more realistic to your situation might be a better place to start.
In this article, we explore the power of learning from those who have recently experienced realistic progress and why positive psychology mentoring from someone in a similar boat can be a game-changer for your personal growth.
The Allure of Celebrity Success Stories
In case you've been living under a rock, then you've probably missed the wave of celebrities sharing their rags-to-riches back stories for clout.
Then the stories of entrepreneurs who slept in their cars, and endured years of toil to then build multi-million dollar empires.
Or how about the athletes who overcame impossible odds under extreme pressure to achieve greatness?
These narratives can be motivating, but also misleading because while they show you their path to success, it's a long way down the path from where a normal person is.
Sure, they might have all started from the bottom, but where they are now is completely unrelatable.
The Problem of Survivorship Bias
A 2021 study found that people tend to focus on successful outliers while ignoring the thousands who followed the same advice and failed.
This phenomenon, known as survivorship bias, skews our perception of what’s realistically achievable, so it's easy to see there's a disconnect between following the advice of someone who operates in completely different circles because, more often than not, it's not going to work out how you'd hoped.
And while that might sound like a bit of slap in the face, it suggests there might be some benefit to dialling back your expectations to build a more tangible roadmap to your self-improvement.
Do Relatable Mentors Really Understand Everyday Challenges?
While successful people have surely faced adversity (they wouldn't be where they are without some dirt under their nails), their resources, connections, and circumstances are often vastly different from the rest of us.
A Harvard Business Review article explains that extreme success often involves unique privileges that make following a similar path to your favourite celebrity or ultra-wealthy mogul out of reach.
While it's great to look up to some of these people, it is possible that trying to follow in their footsteps is not going to help you with your own journey to success.
The Case for a Relatable Mentor
Why Learning from Someone Just Ahead Works
A relatable mentor, someone who has achieved small but meaningful progress has been where you are especially in recent times and understands your struggles firsthand.
They know what it takes to pick themselves up, put one foot in front of the other and begin their transformation journey. They can relate more closely to the struggles of someone who is lost and doesn't know where to turn.
Research in this area supports the approach of working with someone more closely connected to your position in life:
A 2022 study from the Journal of Applied Psychology found that peer mentoring was more effective than traditional top-down mentorship in improving motivation and retention.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect, first studied in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, suggests that those who have recently learned a skill may be better teachers than experts, as they still remember learning struggles.
Unlike celebrity advice that often emphasises massive risk-taking requiring financial backing or the appropriate resources to facilitate this, relatable mentors offer incremental, achievable steps.
Their guidance is based on realistic changes rather than radical overhauls.
The Psychology Behind Relatable Role Models
Social Learning Theory: Learning Through Observation
Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory explains how we learn best from those who resemble us. Watching someone similar to us succeed makes it easier to believe that we can too.
The Proximity Principle: Influence from Your Circle
A 2020 study from the University of Pennsylvania found that people are more influenced by those within their immediate social and professional circles than by distant role models.
This means the people around you can be your best mentors.
How to Find the Right Positive Psychology Mentor
Not all mentors are created equal.
Here’s how to find someone who can genuinely help you grow:
Look for someone who is where you want to be in the next 1–3 years, not someone who is decades ahead.
Make sure the mentor is someone you can gel with. They don't have to be your best friend, but they do need to be able to build a solid mentor-mentee relationship where you can be challenged in a respectful way.
Seek mentorship within communities and peer networks, where guidance is realistic and directly applicable.
Use mentorship platforms like MentorcliQ and MicroMentor to connect with relatable mentors.
It’s About What Resonates with You
Sure, both celebrity success stories and relatable mentors have value and ultimately it comes down to what resonates with you.
Inspirational figures can spark motivation to make improvements, but practical guidance comes from those who understand where you've been because they've recently been in the same boat.
At the end of the day, the best mentor is the one whose journey resonates with you. Growth isn’t about mimicking billionaires—it’s about learning from those who are just ahead, applying their insights, and making steady progress toward your own goals.
Looking for a relatable mentor to help change your perspective on life?
I've been through some big personal and professional changes over the last few years that have helped me move forward in life—and I think they might be able to help you, too!
But before you commit to anything, why not book a free and completely confidential clarity call?
It's an hour-long chance to talk about whatever is on your mind, or for you to ask for advice—no strings attached.
Give it a go today—what have you got to lose?
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