Thriveology Podcast | Success | Personal Development | Self-improvement | Thrive | Resilience | Thrive Nation

There is one reason I shared the Thriving Body Series:  so you can build a thriving body.  I have noticed that we live in a culture of body-shaming or body-ignoring.  We live in a world focused on "what you look like," compared to some ideal created by media.  So, many people feel inadequate -- leading to giving up or dysfunctional lifestyles. Others simply pretend they don't inhabit a body.  That is no better.  People act as if their physical body doesn't count, ignoring the fact that their body is what takes them through life in this world. What if the focus was on being healthy and well?  As well as possible, and healthy as possible, given the limits of each person's own body.  Might that be a better "third way?" During this series, I tried to focus on some big rubrics of a thriving body:  eating to nourish that body, exercising to build that body, resting to recharge that body, de-stressing to reduce the wear-and-tear on the body. Now, we wrap the series up.  Let's put it together and build a thriving

"I'm so stressed out," has become a very common refrain.  But what does that mean?  Have you paused for a moment to wonder, what is behind that idea? We all have moments of feeling a bit overwhelmed and frazzled.  We all have times when we react to some event.  Our body comes along for the ride.  Adrenaline spikes, headaches strike, stomachs get upset, palms get sweaty. . . our body goes into Fight/Flight mode.  Not a pretty picture, and not very fun. We all have our coping strategies.  Some are helpful and healthy, others -- not so much.  Some people crawl under the covers and hide from those events.  Others rely on a few choice substances to forget those events or at least numb the body. But some have found other, healthier, ways to face the events, understand their response, and move through the responses.  They experience the same event but learn to move through healthily and helpfully. Let's talk about the truth of stress -- and how to deal with stress effectively , but healthily. Your Thriving Body

Do you get the rest you (and your body) need?  Most people don't. Research on sleep reveals that almost 50% of people say they do not get enough sleep. And your body takes a toll for this.  Slower healing, chronic disease, fuzzy thinking, physical decline, and even weight gain, all have been tied to a lack of adequate sleep. Here is the painful truth:  if you are skipping on sleep, you are most likely just borrowing that time from the end of your life.  The more chronic your sleeplessness, the higher your chances of suffering from sleep-related health issues. So, let's talk about why you need sleep and how to get it.  And how to better quality sleep, the you do sleep. Listen below to hear about how to rest your thriving body (and you can catch up on the Thriving Body Series in the links below). Your Thriving Body Series: Introduction Fueling Your Thriving Body Fueling You Thriving Body, Pt. 2 Moving Your Thriving Body    

Two podcasts ago, I covered fueling your thriving body (how to eat to thrive). That raised some questions.  So this week, I answer your questions. Let's talk some more about the best sources for energy when you are fueling that thriving body. And I can tell you some more of the reasons I have chosen the approach I follow. It may not fit for you.  But just last night, I was chatting with several people who adopted my strategy when they saw the changes in my life.  To a person, they have become healthier and more resilient.  Several were able to drop prescriptions.  Several reported having symptoms disappear -- things that had kept them from being active and involved (thriving, I would say). Listen below for the 2nd part of Fueling Your Thriving Body. Your Thriving Body Series: Introduction Fueling Your Thriving Body Moving Your Thriving Body

We addressed how to fuel your thriving body (how to eat) last week.  That is a fundamental building block of a thriving body. But what about building that thriving body?  That is all about exercise. I look for the M.E.D. (Minimally Effective Dosage) of exercise.  What is the minimum you need to do, in order to get your body in shape? It takes FAR less time than you might imagine.  In fact, many people OVER-exercise and miss the mark of building a thriving body.  They end up tearing it down, all in the effort of building it up.  (I see this mistake all the time.) If you are wanting to get started, but can't imagine fitting one more thing into your day, how about as little as 7 minutes? Let's talk about what to do to build your thriving body.  Listen below. Your Thriving Body Series: Introduction Fueling Your Thriving Body

Last week, we started a new series, Your Thriving Body.  My focus is on how we build a thriving body.  Not a "beach body," not a six-pack.  Not any particular body shape.  But a thriving body. We all have limits and limitations.  But how can we best live a thriving life, physically? This became important to me when I was sick, realizing that I had neglected an important part of thriving:  your body has to take you through life. With that in mind, we look at how you fuel your body.  I want to share my own journey of understanding the foods that best nurture my body.  We may not agree on all the pieces.  But I want to share my approach -- and the "why" of my approach. Fueling your body, nourishing it, is about experimenting with what works best for you.  So, lets chat about that!

Somehow I missed it.  I was cruising through life, doing my thing, working hard, and trying to move forward. What did I miss? That my body was what took me through life. And it was quite a rude awakening.  Like a doctor telling you and your wife that you were headed for total disability -- and then death. That will wake you up! (Well, it woke me up, for sure.) Here I was, learning about thriving and resilience, and my body was NOT thriving.  I was overweight, out of shape -- and almost out of time! You can hear the whole story in this week's podcast.  But clearly, I did not die (at least, not yet).  And I began to recover my lost health.  I got serious about this body that had to carry me through life.  And I learned a few lessons along the way. In this new series, I want to share some of what I learned. (NOTE:  I am not a trainer, dietician, or physician.  This information comes from my own studies and experience.  I hope it is useful.  But it is not intended to replace the advice of experts.)

People get stuck for several reasons: The Past The Future Your Energy None of the 3 have to keep you stuck.  First, you have to identify the source of "Stuck," and then decide how to move through it. Unstuck becomes a choice -- but only after understanding the Stuck.  Stare at the Cost-Benefit and decide if you are just choosing to be stuck.  Or if you are ready to move beyond it. As we wrap up the Get Unstuck series, I provide some specific steps to take in order to be free from the pains of the past, the anxieties of the future, and a lack of energy.  Join me as we move beyond Stuck. GETTING UNSTUCK SERIES Intro To Getting Unstuck How You Get Stuck You Are Not As Stuck As You Think Give Up Your Goals & Get Unstuck Loops Shift Your Perspective When Fear Has You Stuck The KNAC Protocol For Getting Unstuck 4 Steps To Changing Limiting Beliefs

Within you, lurking just below the surface, there are some beliefs that are limiting you.  Your Limiting Beliefs influence your thoughts and your perspective.  They mold your paradigm and keep you held hostage. You can break free from those beliefs.  You don't have to be held hostage.  There is a simple 4-step process that will allow you to defeat and destroy those beliefs, once and for all. Here are the 4 C's steps: C-onscious C-hallenge C-hange C-ommit And once you know the secret to uncovering the beliefs, you just apply the steps, one-by-one.  The limiting beliefs dissipate, replaced by your aspirational beliefs. Try them out and tell me what you think! GETTING UNSTUCK SERIES Intro To Getting Unstuck How You Get Stuck You Are Not As Stuck As You Think Give Up Your Goals & Get Unstuck Loops Shift Your Perspective When Fear Has You Stuck The KNAC Protocol For Getting Unstuck

You here it all the time: "Knowledge is power." Not true.  Knowledge is just information.  Perhaps it is information that is digested and understood.  But it is still information. For knowledge to be power, something else needs to be applied:  Action.  Action, based on knowledge, then becomes power. But here's the hook:  Action that is important is always accompanied by fear.  If there is no fear, it is routine, normal, and just an action.  If you are stuck, you are probably stuck because you know you need to go to the next step, and the next step is scary. So, you need Courage.  Courage is from the heart, facing fear, and taking action.  It is not action with no fear.  Any action taken, in spite of fear, shows courage. Together, the KNAC Protocol helps you to guide yourself through change, and helps you to get unstuck. Listen below to master the KNAC Protocol. (And here are links to the earlier segments of this series:) Intro To Getting Unstuck How You Get Stuck You Are Not As Stuck As You Think Give

Are you anchored, waiting for the next opportunity to sail?  Or are you stuck? Sometimes, we have to set anchor for a bit, let the tide change, wait for a storm to pass, or wait for a new day. Sometimes, we set the anchor so well that we end up stuck. Time to weigh anchor and depart.  Time to seek the next port. Let me suggest three A's to help you weigh anchor and get sailing: A- Acceptance A- Awe A- Appreciation No need to stay stuck.  Grab the tools you need and anchors aweigh!

Fear.  It hits us all.  And I'm not talking about a "fright," a startle from something around you.  But fear.  True fear. We all have it.  But it doesn't have to keep you stuck. The real problem is our relationship with fear.  We learn to avoid fear -- and the things that provoke fear. In fact, it is not the thing, but our thoughts and avoidance of even feeling the fear, that keeps us stuck. Too many times, people will mention something they want to do, then continue with why that can't because of a fear. It is as if the fear has some power to stop the dreams, the hopes, the aspirations.  The only power the fear has is the power we give it. The antidote?  Courage.  Action.  Courageous action. Here's how:

When we get stuck, we can't see beyond ourselves.  When we can't see beyond ourselves, we get stuck. Perspective -- or lack of a different perspective -- is what keeps us in that stuck space. The good news is a shift in perspective is always available to you.  In fact, there are several shifts you can make, at will, at any time. Use these shifts to get unstuck.  A new perspective gives you a new view.  See the forest, not just the tree in front of you.  Just beyond that is your UnStuck. Listen below for how to shift your perspective and get unstuck.

It's just human nature.  We like things And when they're not, they can often tug at us, pulling energy and focus away.  When things are left hanging, we feel (oh, by the way, the last word from that first line is "finished") incomplete, unfinished, unsatisfied. So, what is a "Loop?"  Great question.  This one concept, if you understand it, will help you get free.  If you feel stuck, this is something you need to understand.  More than that, this is one of the most. . . Tell you what, I'll let you listen and hear for yourself. (And here are links to the earlier segments of this series:) Intro To Getting Unstuck How You Get Stuck You Are Not As Stuck As You Think Give Up Your Goals & Get Unstuck

As counter-intuitive as it sounds, if you are stuck, one of the first things to do is give up your goals. Which may lead you to think that my idea of getting unstuck just means that you leave things the way they are.  Instead of being stuck, you might be stranded. Nope.  That is NOT what I mean.  You see, I think that goals often cause us to be even more stuck. Most of the time, people fail at the goals they set (look no further to the empty gyms in late January).  Not only that, but if someone achieves a goal, they often then slip away from the goal, falling back "below the line."  And, by the way, the best you can do is get "to the line." Not very appealing, is it? Not only that, but many goals we create are not even within our control.  If you have the goal to make the football team, a coach has to choose you.  Many might have that goal.  Lots get cut from the team. Goals sounding worse? But there is an alternative.  One that you CAN control, live into, and move into.  Let me tell you about it. Ser

Stuck.  We all feel it sometimes.  We can't get ourselves in gear, out of our own way, moving in the right direction, or even moving at all. There are some reasons we get stuck.  But I truly believe we are never quite as stuck as we feel. When I feel stuck, it is sometimes helpful for me to remind myself of why I am not quite as stuck as I feel.  When I do that, I get a little momentum. A little momentum is what I need to begin the process of getting unstuck. And after you listen to the podcast, you will realize:  you have LOTS of momentum.  LOTS is changing. . . if you are looking. Introduction To Getting Unstuck Series

We all have those times when we feel stuck.  And we tend to get stuck for the same few reasons: The Past Limiting Beliefs Lack of Clarity Fear Sometimes, we stay anchored in the past, to the old stories and old scripts -- and we don't even realize it. Other times, we carry around limiting beliefs about what is even possible.  We don't tap into the possibilities and potentials, but fall into believing our own limited perspective.  We believe the self-imposed limits. And still other times, we just don't know what to do.  We stand at the fork(s) in the road, not sure which to choose.  So, we fail to choose. And many times, fear keeps us stuck.  We fear the unknown, fear change, fear failure, and even fear success. Let's explore those reasons we get stuck, and begin to get un-stuck. Grab a pencil and paper!  I have a little exercise for you to do! PREVIOUS UNSTUCK: Intro To Unstuck  

During my career as a therapist, person after person came to figure out why they were stuck.  As I transitioned to coaching, I realized my focus was on how to get unstuck. How we get stuck is merely a starting point.  The real task is how to get un-stuck and moving toward our aspirations. When we are stuck, we can't be thriving.  But the process of getting unstuck is also the process of thriving. I believe that we all have the capacity of being un-stuck, regardless of circumstances and situations. How you are stuck is similar for all of us.  What you do when you are un-stuck, that can vary greatly.  But the process of getting unstuck is the same. Today, listen in as I tell you how Bill got stuck. If this strikes a cord in you, please share this episode with the social sharing buttons below, and consider giving a review of the podcast in iTunes or in Stitcher. Let's thrive!

Anxiety.  It sometimes seems to surround us.  Sometimes, it can even overwhelm. But anxiety doesn't have to hold you back.  You can learn to walk through life without allowing anxiety to control you. Remember that we have "anxiety" wiring in your brain.  But we get to choose how much strength we allow that circuit. Don't let anxiety rule your life.  Learn what causes anxiety, how to short it out, and how to move beyond the anxiety. And yes, panic attacks are all about anxiety.  They are storms of anxiety.  Learn how to keep the attacks from striking, and what to do if they do strike. Take back your life from anxiety.  Learn how in today's podcast. [ALSO:  Let me say a BIG thank you to my newest patrons (through Patreon):  Robert, Tracy, Aarti, Derek, Mimi, Ted, Jeff, and Susanna.  If you find value in Thriveology and would like to help support us, please consider being a Patron.  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE] RELATED RESOURCE: Defeating Depression Series

We all often seek comfort. But is the comfort we find killing us? Is the comfort, perhaps more subtly, holding us back? Here is the problem:  we find something comfortable, something "better," something bigger.  Then, instead of bigger, better, more comfortable, it just becomes the routine. [tweetthis]Habituation is a bitch! - Lee Baucom[/tweetthis] Habituation is the process by which anything becomes the normal.  Buy your dream home/car/watch/whatever.  Quickly, it is "just" a home/car/watch/whatever.  The dream disappears. Or go the other way:  lose a job, have to downsize.  At first, it hurts.  Then, it becomes a new normal.  You "habituate," either way. The problem is, our insatiable move toward comfort becomes more and more limiting:  "I'll only fly first class," "I have simple tastes:  only the best," etc., etc. Food gets richer, exercise has to be "comfortable," and we find ourselves unable to tolerate discomfort. Here is the problem:  every life has discomfort and struggle.  When we are alway