Years ago, I used to believe I could give a human information, and they would make a transformation. This is untrue and inaccurate, and this podcast explains why. I also tell some Punxsutawney stories.

I'm baaaaack!

In what has been a stellar start to 2023, I have taken a hiatus to figure out what currently is sucking my joy. This episode is about the importance of joy, and why "proving to yourself you can" is so important.

One of The Four Agreements (from the book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz) is “don’t take anything personally.”

Yet, when people remain unhealed in an area, something you say MAY touch them in a way that’s triggering. They may feel intense anger for you and your very being.

This is a transformation reality.

Today's podcast guest is a person who has made a deep impact on my life, Sabrina Stanley. Her "anything is possible for anyone" attitude has led her to win 14 of the last 15 ultramarathons she's run, including two Hard Rock 100 victories. She’s the only American (male or female) to win Grand Raid, revered as the toughest 100-miler in the world. We explore so much in this episode, from mindset to mental health, negative thought spirals, valuing one's self, interpersonal relationships, and female empowerment. I enjoyed this conversation so, so very much.

People spend their lives waiting to do things until they feel they’re 100% “ready.” Yet, you’re never going to be 100% ready. The first time you do something, no matter how great you think you are, is probably going to be awkward as hell.

The world celebrates those who celebrate themselves, and who are willing to share their gifts with as many people as possible.

We have this idea that we should:

1. Learn to do the thing
2. Do the thing in secrecy
3. Talk about what we did and gain all the approval once it’s done

That’s actually not how it goes. It actually looks more like this:

1. Start doing the thing
2. Learn as you go
3. Speak proudly the whole damn way through.

At the end of 2018, I ran my first marathon.

26.2 miles. 4:19:58 was my time as an ex-smoker who recently escaped obesity. That’s slightly under 10-minute miles. I was proud.

People on the outside saw this as this huge 180-degree turn. But for me, it was simply a series of one-degree shifts.

If you ask anyone who has made significant progress in any area of life, they’ll tell you that the smallest actions lead to the greatest results.

The key is to NOT ONLY make one-degree shifts but to also recognize what those one-degree shifts are.

Keeping up appearances, whether it’s with your body image or otherwise, is an unwinnable battle. It’ll never be enough. Someone will always have more, look “better,” own “more.” None of it is relevant to vibrancy or happiness. And what’s worse is, it keeps you from being free.

Many times, when people are stuck in a lifestyle that doesn’t serve them any longer, the thing they view as their “identity” is the very thing that’s keeping them stuck.

When we think about “identity,” we’re really just thinking about our story that we tell ourselves about our lives. Many people do not want to give up their story, because they feel giving it up will invalidate their very real experiences. Thus, many people live their whole lives in victim consciousness, unable to expand.

Changing what you perceive to be as your “identity” does not take away any validity from any part of your life. It simply allows you to have a better, freer future.