Hilary Swank on How to Overcome Sexism: 'Just Don't Be Afraid' (Video)

Hilary Swank believes that the best way for women to overcome sexism is to focus on their own success and block out the external voices feeding their doubt.

“Women are constantly objectified and trivialized,” Swank said in an interview with HuffPost Live. “I think we get caught up in the idea that if we don’t look a certain way, we won’t be loved. If we don’t act a certain way, we won’t be successful.”

The Oscar-winning actress explained that the best way for women to support each other is to be an example and rise above those external pressures. Women can’t let their fears or the expectations of society stop them from reaching their goals and finding success, she said.

Also read: Helen Mirren Calls Hollywood Ageism 'F-king Outrageous' at Wrap's 1st Power Women Breakfast in NYC

“Some women might say, ‘I want to be an entrepreneur.’ Some women might say, ‘I want to run this charity group.’ Some might say, ‘I want to be a mom.’ Whatever that is for you, and whatever form that takes, you have to take a step forward into that and just don’t be afraid,” Swank said.

But Swank went on to say that those fears don’t just apply to women. Men are often subject to the same kind of scrutiny.

Also read: Helen Mirren Uncensored on Hollywood 'F-ing Outrageous' Ageism, Sexuality, Royalty and Fear (Video)

“I think we all have our fears of what we’re supposed to be or how we’re supposed to act,” she said. “It’s quieting those voices and saying, ‘That’s not going to define me.'”

Watch the video.

Helen Mirren, Melissa Arnot, Rachel Sklar and Baby Ruby Join TheWrap's Power Women NYC (Photos)

Helen Mirren makes herself laugh -- and the rest of the room too
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Mirren with Ruby Sklar, the 10-week-old project of digital activist Rachel Sklar
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Mirren
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Producer Paula Wagner, Waxman and Shelley Zalis, CEO Ipsos OTX
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Thought leaders from digital companies joined the event
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Tony winner Mirren chatted cheerfully with fellow guests
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Helen Mirren and Tamara Tunie bond over breakfast
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"Law & Order- Special Victims Unit" actress Tamara Tunie
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TheWrap's Sharon Waxman with Paula Wagner and Shelley Zalis
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From left: Sharon Waxman; Rachel Sklar, founder, the Li.st, Change the Ratio; Shelley Zalis, CEO Ipsos, OTX; Whitney Bouck, SVP at Box; Joanna Pena-Bickley of IBM; Gayle Troberman of iHeartMedia
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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Mountain climber Melissa Arnot, the first woman to climb Mount Everest five times, the western women's world record holder for Everest summits, interviewed by Waxman
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Arnot with Waxman
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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Creative Future CEO Ruth Vitale, a co-host of the breakfast
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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TheWrap magazine
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An auction raised thousands of dollars for the Joyful Heart Foundation
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Gayle Troberman, EVP/Chief Marketing Officer of iHeartMedia
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Joanna Pena-Bickley, Global Chief Creative Officer, IBM Interactive Experience
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Rachel Sklar, founder of the Li.st and Change the Ratio
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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Rachel and Ruby Sklar
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A&E CEO Nancy Dubuc, sponsor of the breakfast
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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President of Broadway League Charlotte St. Martin, producer Paula Wagner and, to her left, American Theater President Heather Hitchens
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Patina Miller, star of "Sister Act" on Broadway and Tony Award Winner for "Pippin"
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Waxman
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Jill Wilson, SVP at SGN gaming company, talked about the importance of mentoring women coders
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Claudia Kozma Kaplan, Joanna Pena-Bickley, Shelley Zalis, Laura Molen, Gayle Troberman, Marjorie Schussel and Marta Martinez socialize at the event
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Shauniquea Eure and Jade McQueen from Box, Inc, with Jill Wilson, SVP at SGN
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From left: Sharon Waxman; Rachel Sklar, founder, the Li.st, Change the Ratio; Shelley Zalis, CEO Ipsos, OTX; Whitney Bouck, SVP at Box; Joanna Pena-Bickley of IBM; Gayle Troberman of iHeartMedia
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Tunie
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Arnot with Waxman
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Liz Gately, Head of Programming for Lifetime, talks with Waxman
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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Jill Wilson, SVP at SGN gaming company, with Shauniquea Eure of Box, Inc
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TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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Paula Wagner with Waxman
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Filmmaker, "Sense the Wind," Christine Knowlton
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Maria Fairchild and Kristen Conklin of Salvatore Ferragamo
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Wagner
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Helen Mirren and Tamara Tunie pose for photos together
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Wagner bonds with Sklar
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Liz Gately, Head of Programming for Lifetime, converses with fellow guests
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Bea Arthur of In Your Corner poses with Jane Barratt of GoldBean
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Heather Hitchens of American Theatre Wing at TheWrap's Power Women NYC breakfast
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Vicky Vlachonis, author of "The Body Doesn't Lie"
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