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Growth Mindset Versus Fixed Mindset: How to Make Lasting Healthy Life Changes

In her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck talks about the two different types of mindsets people fall into: a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset.

People with a fixed mindset — those who believe that abilities are fixed—are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset — those who believe that abilities can be developed.

I think of a growth mindset as being open and willing to try new things without being attached to the outcome. It’s about reaching for goals that stretch you a little, and believing you have the power to change things. 

A fixed mindset says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but a growth mindset says you can if the dog is willing!

How Your Mindset Affects Your Progress

When you’re trying to change something about your health or your lifestyle, your mindset is one of the most important factors in whether you’re going to succeed. 

But health and lifestyle are the areas where I see a fixed mindset emerge most often. If your self-talk says, “I’m not the kind of person who could ever do meal prep” or “I’m not good at working out” — by committing to that narrative about your identity, you cut yourself off from amazing possibility that you could do those things. 

A fixed mindset also cuts you off from being able to tolerate failure. If you believe that you failed at something (say, sticking to a new workout plan) because you are innately lazy, unreliable or unfit, it’s going to be extremely hard for you to get back on the wagon. Why even try?

But if you can cultivate a growth mindset, you give yourself space to fail, but that failure is just an indicator that you’re growing and adding to your capabilities. 

And you are going to fail — not because you personally are bad at what you’re doing, but because you’re human and failure happens for a whole host of reasons. Having a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset turns this into an opportunity rather than a disappointment.

Your job is to turn up and do the best you can with the resources you have available, and to keep doing that over and over, even if you fail every now and then. 

How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset

And even if you realize that you have a fixed mindset right now, there’s good news. You can change it! 

This isn’t just some woo-woo positive thinking either. 

In his insightful book, The Brain That Changes Itself, Dr. Norman Doidge delves deep into neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to rapidly evolve in response to trauma, stimulus or even to our own thoughts.

Your brain can change itself, grow new cells, change its patterns, and you can choose if you want to take advantage of that. That’s so exciting, and means that no matter where you are starting from, you’re not stuck. 

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to start that shift:

“What feels possible? Am I open to trying this new thing? What would happen if this thing changed?”

If you can imagine what life might be after this change, you’re more likely to put in the work. It’s important to recognise that what you’re doing takes work, it isn’t easy, and it requires energy.

Remember that it’s not about waking up every day and asking yourself very seriously how you can evolve into a better person, but staying aware of what you’re accepting for yourself and where you could stretch a little further. 

This shift is very much tied to mindfulness, and there’s even progress to be made just in noticing that you have a fixed mindset about something. 

You don’t have to start working on it immediately, you can just acknowledge that and come back to it when it’s a priority. 

Not everything needs action right away — you have to prioritize and you can only put your energy in so many places. 

The trick here is to understand why you’re trying to make these changes, to have a firm grasp on the purpose that’s driving all this work (and it is work — it takes sustained effort over time and a lot of perseverance through discomfort and tedium). 

If you know that you’re trying to change your eating habits so that you set a healthy example for your kids, that’s going to keep you going. 

If you know that you’re trying to stick to a workout routine so that you can look after your aging parents instead of having to put them in care, you’re going to be very deeply motivated. 

It doesn’t even have to be such a big reason — just to feel good in your skin and that you are prioritizing your own wellbeing is a powerful driver. 

Of course, prioritizing your own wellbeing doesn’t sound like a big deal… but it can be, right?

What to Do When Your Loved Ones Have A Fixed Mindset

 It’s hard when people don’t want you to change — they like you as you are, and if you change it means that your dynamic will change. 

Even if they don’t make any change themselves, they will be impacted to some degree by your changes.  Your decision to eat more veggies doesn’t make anyone else a bad person, but it can make them feel bad anyway. 

The key here is communication. If people around you do get upset about the changes you’re making, be clear that you’re making these changes for you. Let them know that it’s not about them and that making a change for yourself doesn’t mean that you’re judging them. 

This is not easy. Most of us care a lot about what our loved ones think about us. I know I care deeply what people think, and even though I try really hard to worry less about it, I know I just have to acknowledge it and keep going anyway. Eventually it just comes down to taking a hard look at your own life and understanding what the cost will be if you don’t make this change.  

Still, it’s important to be sensitive to how people are responding to you, to use language that’s as non-judgemental as possible and that will ultimately help them to support you — or at least to give you the room to do what you need to do.

In all, developing a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset is about recognizing what’s possible and giving yourself permission to reach for those possibilities.  

It’s about choosing to see yourself as a beautiful work in progress, to appreciate how far you’ve come and to look forward to where you’re going. 

It’s work, it takes time and energy and discipline, but developing a growth mindset is one of the most empowering and exciting things you can do for yourself. 

When you believe that you are capable of change, that you are in control of how your life unfolds — that’s exhilarating and opens up a whole new world of opportunities. 

So I’d like to invite you to start shifting towards a growth mindset today, and to get a little help if you need it


Want More Inspiration?

Check out more mental motivation, workouts, and meal inspiration on my Instagram.

This is something I remind myself and my clients regularly:⁠

Growth isn’t a straight line and starting over isn’t failure—it’s courage. 💪🏼⁠

It’s how we build strength, resilience and create the life we truly want. ⁠

My “start again” moments this week?⁠
🧠 Clearing mental clutter ✍️ ⁠
☀️ Reclaiming my morning routine⁠
🧺 Tackling that mountain of laundry (finally!) 😅⁠

What possibilities might unfold when you choose to start again?⁠

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#HealthyHabits #HabitBuilding #PersonalGrowth #StartAgain #WeightLossCoach #GrowthMindset #ProgressNotPerfection #AccountabilityCoach ⁠

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Working out next to my toughest critic yesterday. Mid-set, she hit me with: `Your workout isn’t even hard` 😂 Tough crowd, eh? ⁠

Balancing strength and self-care means showing up and leading by example – even if my audience is unimpressed. ⁠

Every `unimpressive` rep is a reminder that I’m not just building muscle – I’m building habits, resilience and showing her what it means to prioritize wellbeing. ⁠

One day, she’ll get it. Probably. Maybe. 🤞 ⁠

#leadingbyexample #mombod #accountabilitycoach #accountabilitypartner #onepercentbetter #allin #habitchangecoach #weightlosscoach #whatisyourwhy

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Watching my client step into her strength and move beyond limitations was been incredible. 💪✨ It’s a privilege to witness this kind of growth: the shift from doubt to confidence, from limitation to freedom. ⁠

She didn`t just transform her body, she redefined what’s possible for herself with consistency, self-compassion and small steps.⁠

Celebrating her journey reminds me why I do this work. Movement is SO much more than exercise. It’s a path to peace and empowerment.⁠

Here’s to the courage it takes to show up, again and again. 💛⁠



#onepercentbetter #accountabilitycoach #allin #habitchangecoach #weightlosscoach #trusttheprocess #consistencyiskey

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✨ Are you ready for a transformation?✨⁠

I want to share an incredible journey I had with one of my amazing clients who not only lost 30 pounds, but in just 6 months transformed her entire lifestyle and unlocked a whole new way of living! 💪💖⁠

If you’ve ever struggled with making lasting changes, I get it. The journey can be daunting and full of ups and downs. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can invest in! ⁠

🔑 Here’s the secret: It all starts from within. ⁠

My client learned that true motivation comes from understanding yourself and setting personal goals. With weekly check-ins, we created tailored plans that fit her busy life and adjusted them as needed. 📅⁠

📉 No more cycles of quick fixes and dieting! Instead, we focused on sustainable habits and real-life applications. Whether it was planning workouts around her work schedule or learning to embrace those treat meals without guilt, we celebrated every small victory along the way.⁠

What I love most? Being the coach who is ALWAYS in your corner. 🤗 ⁠

Rather than dwelling on setbacks, we focused on how to move forward. That kind of support creates lasting change and empowers you to take charge of your journey. ⁠

Are you ready for it? ⁠

👉 Learn about my 1:1 Coaching or Book a Discovery Call to get started 🚀 ⁠
(linkinbio)⁠



#AccountabilityCoach #HealthyLiving #MindsetShift #LifestyleChange #FitnessJourney #LiveLifeToTheFullest #WeightLossSuccess

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Me. Practicing what I preach.⁠

It`s amazing how much easier it is to tackle something new or challenging when you have a support system around you.⁠

So whether it`s cold water, a new workout or just trying a different walking route – Grab your people and dive in (literally or figuratively) – the rewards on the other side are so worth it!⁠

🥶⁠
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🥰⁠

#coldwaterchallenge #coldplunge #personalgrowth #comfortzoneisoverrated #wellnessjourney #coaching

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When you consider the types of goals you`re setting for yourself, do they include an element of self-compassion?⁠

In most cases, it sure helps to take some pressure off by aiming for better instead of perfect 🎯⁠



#onepercentbetter #accountabilitycoach #accountabilitymirror #accountabilitypartner #allin #habitchange #habitchangecoach #weightlosscoach #trusttheprocess #healthcoach #consistencyiskey #keepshowingup

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Dipping my toes into the season like… ⁠cue the awkward bikini pose 😂☀️⁠
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To be real, what I had planned to be my chic poolside photo op turned into an unexpected cold plunge 🥶 I`m sorry but I`ll always be a sucker for heated pools ⁠

#WimHofWho #SpringBreakShenanigans ⁠#AwkwardPoses #GoodTimesAhead⁠

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🌟 Proof that sustainable, enjoyable changes are possible.⁠

Tune into this vid as one of my former clients shares his journey to improved health and body composition, all without the need to obsess over every calorie🚫📊 ⁠

If you`re ready to transform your body in a sustainable way, I can help. ⁠

Book in a discovery call with me and lets chat ⁠📲⁠

💪 ⁠


#BodyTransformation #NoCalorieCounting #ClientSuccessStory #ClientSuccess #AccountabilityPartner #AccountabilityCoach #Allin #HealthCoach #HabitChange #HabitChangeCoach #ConsistencyisKey #KeepShowingUp #HealthandWellnessCoach

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🧘🏻‍♀️Practicing yoga is much more fun in good company and kids sure have a way of reminding you to keep it playful. 🤸🏻‍♀️ ⁠

#PracticeMakesPresence⁠

🌱 Planting seeds of mindfulness through yoga and trying to lead by example for the next generation. ⁠

#MindBodyConnection #GoodCompanyGoodVibes ⁠
#AccountabilityCoach #ConsistencyIsKey⁠





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😅 Do you ever feel like you`re just barely keeping it together when others seem to just cruise? I find it helpful to remember the duck analogy: ⁠

🦆💦 Just like a duck gliding gracefully on water, we often only see the serene surface of someone`s life. Beneath it all, there`s hard work, quiet determination and resilience. ⁠


💪 ⁠#JustKeepPaddling 😄 ⁠#DuckAnalogy #BeneathTheSurface #EmbraceTheHustle #AccountabilityCoach #ConsistencyIsKey⁠


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📖 Words to live by, right? As your #AccountabilityPartner and coach, I`m here to help make sure you don`t just read them, but live them.⁠

Let`s be real: we`ve all had those moments where we`ve said, "I`ll start tomorrow," or "I`ll do it later." ⁠

But you probably can guess what I will say next, right? ⁠

Tomorrow never comes, and later never happens. ⁠

The best time to take action is NOW.⁠ ⁠

So let`s do this together. ⁠With that said, I`m off to refill my water bottle because, hydration.⁠

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✨ ⁠

💧 ⁠








#Fridaymotivation⁠ #AccountabilityCoach #Empowerment #TheTimeIsNow⁠
#ItsAllConnected #onepercentbetter #allin #accountabilitychallenge #habitchangecoach #weightlosscoach #lifecoach #coaching⁠

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Who needs personal space when you can have a whole bubble? ⁠

⁠Got a chance to go dome glamping in the mountains and live my best #BubbleLife ⁠when we were back home in Thailand this past winter. ⁠It really felt like I was able to unplug and slow down 🔌 🐌

⁠⁠✅Bubble Benefits🟰Blissful privacy with a view, instant stress relief and a built-in way to dodge those pesky mosquitoes! ⁠



#RechargeYourself #mentalwellbeing #consciousliving #holistichhealthcoach #holisticliving #accountabilitycoach⁠
#itsallconnected

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Gratitude overflowing! 🙏🏼 It`s truly humbling to witness the incredible transformations of my clients. ⁠

Huge thanks for sharing your heartfelt feedback and inspiring journey. ⁠

🤍 Your commitment and success has driven me to keep supporting others on their path to wellness⁠ 💫 ⁠







#HealthTransformation #FoodFreedom⁠ #AccountabilityCoach #AccountabilityPartner #WellnessJourney #HealthandWellnessCoach⁠
#Allin ⁠#ClientSuccess #HolisticWellness

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Ever wonder what real commitment looks like? Here’s a glimpse into the daily conversations with my 1-on-1 accountability clients. 📲⁠

This is where the magic happens! 💫 ⁠

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📆⁠

🧑🏻‍🍳⁠

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#Coaching #Accountability #Mindset #Coach⁠
#Commitment #Allin #KeepShowingUp⁠
#AccountabilityCoach ⁠







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What’s waiting for you just outside of your comfort zone? ⁠

I’ve been 1-on-1 coaching for almost a decade now. This morning on a call, I was reminded of one mantra that I keep coming back to with my clients (and for myself for that matter). It is simply to:⁠

“Do the damn thing anyway” ⁠

Despite the hurdles, setbacks and discomfort. ⁠

🙋🏻What’s waiting for me outside MY comfort zone this week you might ask? ⁠

It’s morning momentum, personal growth, some fresh laundry 💪🏼 📚 🧺 ⁠ ⁠

…and some long overdue social posts 😉 ⁠like this one.⁠




#doitanyway ⁠#onepercentbetter ⁠#goodenough ⁠
#accountabilitycoach ⁠#consistencyiskey ⁠
⁠#habitchange #habitchangecoach

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😆 Arguably the gym is like my 2nd office. ⁠🤓 💻 ⁠

Loving being back at this open air gym. ⁠

But get this: it was a high of 30°C (86°F) this week 😅 🏋️‍♀️ ⁠

⁠so VERY happy we hit the hot yoga studios hard this season @alyakamani @beeesha81 @alexmcwelch @lifeinpolaroidmusic⁠

Helped my body feel a little less WTF are you doing to me?! ⁠


#strengthtrainingworkout #fittravel #sweatyworkout⁠
#accountabilitycoach #accountabilitypartner

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