I've never understood that "hiding your light under a bushel" thing. I competed with males all through school and afterwards, and if there was a downside to that, I'm not aware of it. (I did get the "play down your strengths" lecture at home, and ignored it.) I've encountered my share of sexism, but confronted it or shrugged it off. I do, however, greatly regret not studying more of what would be called STEM subjects now. It's never too late to be who you actually are.