Resilient Humans

Are you actually making progress — or just staying busy?

In this episode of Resilient Humans, Kevin explores the simple but powerful question:

“Will it make the boat go faster?”

The phrase comes from the British rowing team that won Olympic gold in 2000. They used it as a filter for their decisions: if something moved them closer to their goal, it mattered. If it didn’t, it probably deserved less attention.

Kevin applies that same idea to fitness, nutrition, business, relationships, and everyday life.

Because it’s easy to fill your calendar with things that are productive, interesting, or even good — without actually moving closer to what matters most.

• Why being busy and making progress are not the same thing
• Why you need to know where you’re going before you can prioritize
• How low-value “productive” tasks can become procrastination
• Why good opportunities can still distract you from bigger priorities
• How every yes also creates a no somewhere else
• Why not everything in life needs to be optimized
• The importance of asking: “Does the boat even need to go faster right now?”
• A simple way to audit where your time and energy are going

The goal isn’t to do more.

It’s to get clearer about what actually matters — and make sure your actions match it.

Sometimes that means pushing harder.

Sometimes it means saying no.

And sometimes it means putting the oar down and enjoying where you are.

Pick one goal that matters to you right now.

Then look at where your time and energy are going and ask:

Will this make the boat go faster?

Keep what moves you forward.

Change what could be more effective.

Remove what’s consuming energy without helping you get where you want to go.

And remember:

Not everything worthwhile has to move the boat faster.

Sometimes the goal is progress.

Sometimes the goal is presence.

As always, please like, share, and subscribe.

If you would like some help, please reach out! I'd love to be your coach.

Thanks for listening!

___________________________

Connect with me!

https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/

https://ifixyourmindset.com

Feel free to join my free Facebook group. In it, I post helpful advice and resources for improving your fitness, nutrition and mindset.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton

The scale can be useful.

But it can also be incredibly misleading if you expect it to tell you more than it actually can.

In this episode of Resilient Humans, Kevin breaks down the difference between weight loss and fat loss, and explains why body weight can change for reasons that have nothing to do with gaining or losing fat.

Water retention, carbohydrate intake, digestion, muscle mass, training stress, and hydration can all influence the number you see on the scale.

Kevin also explains what metabolism actually is, how muscle mass affects your energy needs, and why preserving muscle should be a major priority when trying to lose fat.

The goal isn't simply to become lighter.

It's to become healthier, stronger, more capable, and more resilient.

• Why weight loss and fat loss are not the same thing
• What the scale can — and can't — tell you
• Why water weight can change quickly
• How carbohydrate intake and glycogen affect scale weight
• Why strength training can improve body composition without dramatically changing body weight
• What metabolism actually means
• How muscle mass affects energy expenditure
• Why losing weight can reduce your overall energy needs
• Better ways to measure progress beyond the scale
• Why body-fat measurements should also be viewed as trends rather than perfect numbers

The scale measures your total body weight.

It doesn't tell you whether a change came from fat, muscle, water, glycogen, or digestion.

So don't let one number determine whether you believe you're making progress.

Look at the bigger picture.

Along with body weight, consider:

• Waist measurements
• How your clothes fit
• Strength and performance
• Energy levels
• Fitness and conditioning
• Consistency with your habits
• Progress photos, if they're useful to you
• How you actually feel

One measurement gives you a number.

Several measurements give you context.

If you use the scale this week, try not to immediately label the number as “good” or “bad.”

Instead ask:

What does this number actually tell me?

Then look at the rest of the evidence.

Are you stronger?

Are your clothes fitting differently?

Are your habits improving?

Are you more capable than you were a few months ago?

Build a bigger scoreboard.

Because the goal was never just to weigh less.

The goal is to become healthier, stronger, and more resilient.

As always, please like, share, and subscribe.

If you would like some help, please reach out! I'd love to be your coach.

Thanks for listening!

_________________________________

Connect with me!

https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/

https://ifixyourmindset.com

Feel free to join my free Facebook group. In it, I post helpful advice and resources for improving your fitness, nutrition and mindset.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton

“Always something, never nothing” is a phrase Kevin uses all the time.

And it still matters.

On hard days, during injury, when life gets chaotic, or when motivation is low, doing something can be exactly what keeps the habit alive.

But there’s another side to that idea.

If “at least I moved my body” becomes the default every single workout, it can quietly turn into complacency.

In this episode of Resilient Humans, Kevin explores the difference between maintaining the habit and creating meaningful progress.

Because showing up matters — but if you want to get stronger, fitter, more capable, or more resilient, eventually you need to challenge yourself.

• Why “always something, never nothing” should be your floor, not your ceiling
• The difference between showing up and actually training
• Why scaling for injury doesn’t always mean making the whole workout easier
• How to distinguish legitimate pain from normal exercise discomfort
• Why constantly backing off teaches you to back off
• How challenge builds confidence, capacity, and resilience
• Why easy days matter — but shouldn’t become every day
• How to decide whether today is a minimum day, recovery day, rehab day, or training day

Showing up preserves the habit.

Challenge creates the adaptation.

There are absolutely days when simply moving your body is enough.

But if you’re healthy, capable, and ready to train, don’t use “something is better than nothing” as permission to avoid effort.

Before your next workout, ask yourself:

Am I here to maintain today — or am I here to improve?

Both answers are valid.

If today is a recovery day, recover.

If today is a rehab day, adapt.

If life is chaotic and you’re just keeping the habit alive, do something.

But if today is a training day?

Train.

Push the pace.

Choose the appropriate challenge.

Add a little weight.

Hold on a little longer.

Because something beats nothing.

But challenge beats complacency.

As always, please like, share, and subscribe.

If you would like some help, please reach out! I'd love to be your coach.

____________________________

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/

Website: https://ifixyourmindset.com

Feel free to join my free Facebook group. In it, I post helpful advice and resources for improving your fitness, nutrition and mindset.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton

What happens when you're constantly achieving, but never quite feel like you're doing enough?

For the milestone 200th episode of Resilient Humans, I'm welcoming back Mark England for his fifth appearance on the podcast!

In Episode 199, I explored a personal struggle: the battle between achievement and unfulfillment. I love setting goals, taking on challenges, learning new skills, and pushing myself outside my comfort zone. But I've started questioning something: At what point does the drive to achieve become a trap?

When you reach one goal, there's always another one waiting. The finish line keeps moving, and we rarely stop long enough to appreciate how far we've come.

Mark and I explore the relationship between ambition, identity, self-talk, and fulfillment. We discuss why high achievers often struggle to celebrate their accomplishments, how the language we use shapes our perception of success, and whether gratitude might be the missing link.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why achieving more doesn't always lead to feeling more fulfilled.
• The difference between healthy ambition and constantly needing to prove yourself.
• How our language and internal stories influence our relationship with success.
• The importance of celebrating small and big wins.
• How gratitude and ambition can coexist.
• Whether it's possible to be content with where you are while still striving for more.

The big question: Can you be proud of where you are without losing your drive to get where you want to go?

This episode isn't about abandoning ambition or settling for less. It's about learning to appreciate the journey instead of making fulfillment conditional on the next achievement.

Because maybe the goal isn't to stop climbing mountains. Maybe it's to occasionally turn around and appreciate the view.

🛠 Resources & Links:

🌐 Learn more: enlifted.me

📸 Instagram: @enliftedcoaches

🎧 Podcast: Get Enlifted Podcast

Connect with me!

📸 Instagram – @cfcoach_kevin

🌐 ifixyourmindset.com

💬 Join my free Facebook group: Fitness, Nutrition & Mindset – Moncton

As always, please like, share, and subscribe.

Thanks for listening 💪

What if the pursuit of getting the most out of life is actually preventing you from enjoying it?

In this episode of Resilient Humans, Kevin shares a personal struggle with achievement, ambition and the fear of missing out. Between running CrossFit Moncton, firefighting, continuing his education, competing in races, acting, camping, family life and recording this podcast, his calendar rarely has an empty space.

And while he genuinely enjoys all these experiences, he's started asking himself a difficult question: At what point does trying to do everything come at the expense of the things that matter most?

This episode explores the tension between doing too much and feeling unfulfilled when we do too little. It's a conversation about ambition, the pressure to constantly achieve, the hidden costs of saying yes and learning to appreciate the life we're already living.

There's no perfect formula or neatly packaged solution here. Just an honest conversation about finding fulfillment in a world full of opportunities.

• The achievement trap: why accomplishing one goal often leads immediately to chasing another.
• How the fear of missing out can drive us to overcommit.
• Why every yes comes with a hidden no.
• The difference between a busy life and a fulfilling one.
• How rest, recovery and being present contribute to resilience.
• Three questions to consider before taking on another commitment.

Take an honest look at your calendar. Are you spending your time on the experiences and people that matter most, or simply filling every available moment?

If you're constantly busy, consider what you could let go of to create some breathing room. If you've stopped challenging yourself, think about something meaningful you've been putting off.

You don't need to fill every minute to live a fulfilling life. And you don't need to abandon your ambitions to enjoy the life you've already built.

As always, please like, share, and subscribe.

If you would like some help, please reach out! I'd love to be your coach.

Thanks for listening!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/

Website: https://ifixyourmindset.com

Feel free to join my free Facebook group. In it, I post helpful advice and resources for improving your fitness, nutrition and mindset.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton

In this episode, I welcome Jason Lyle back to the podcast to talk about his new book, The Sacred Grit. Jason first joined me last year, and this conversation takes us even deeper into his journey—from addiction, infidelity, and shame to rebuilding his life through honesty, nervous system regulation, and authentic living.

One of the biggest themes that stood out to me is the difference between simply grinding through life and doing the deeper work of understanding what's driving your behaviors. Jason challenges the common idea of "just push harder" and instead explains why real resilience starts with truth.

We explore imposter syndrome, emotional regulation, response versus reaction, the role of breath, and why so many men spend their lives trying to become someone else instead of discovering who they already are.

Jason also shares how adventure, nature, and intentional discomfort help people reconnect with themselves in ways that classrooms and lectures often can't.

• The story behind Jason's new book, The Sacred Grit
• Why writing the book became part of his own healing journey
• The difference between beginner syndrome and imposter syndrome
• What it means to live authentically
• Why your inner world needs to match your outer life
• Learning to respond instead of react
• How nervous system regulation changes decision-making
• Why having a plan matters more than relying on willpower
• Cold exposure and staying present through discomfort
• The connection between breath, awareness, and emotional regulation
• Why nature is one of life's greatest teachers
• The role of adventure in helping men reconnect with themselves
• How language shapes our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
• The difference between grit and Sacred Grit

• Authenticity begins when your actions align with your values.
• Lasting change comes from consistent daily decisions—not dramatic breakthroughs.
• Learning to pause creates space for better choices.
• Your breath can be one of your most powerful tools for emotional regulation.
• Nature has a unique way of revealing who we really are.
• Real resilience isn't about pushing harder—it's about becoming more honest with yourself.

Am I reacting to life… or responding with intention?

This conversation is a reminder that resilience isn't about pretending to have it all together—it's about having the courage to face the truth, do the inner work, and become the person you were meant to be.

Connect with Jason:

Book - https://a.co/d/0f5wFHHD

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thesacredgrit/

🌐 Website – https://thesacredgrit.com/

🎙️ Podcast – https://thesacredgrit.com/podcast

_____________________________________

As always, please like, share, and subscribe.

And if you want to dig deeper, or you’re looking for support—reach out. I’d love to help.

Connect with me!

📸 Instagram – @cfcoach_kevin

🌐 ifixyourmindset.com

💬 Join my free Facebook group for tips on fitness, nutrition & mindset: Facebook Group

“Nobody is coming to save you” sounds harsh.

But this episode isn’t about doing everything alone. It’s about understanding the difference between support and rescue.

Your doctor can give you advice. Your coach can create a plan. Your spouse can encourage you. Your friends can support you.

But eventually, the ball comes back to you.

In this episode of Resilient Humans, Kevin explores why taking ownership of your next move is one of the most important parts of resilience. You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can almost always control what you do next.

And that’s where your power lives.

• Why ownership is different from blame
• The difference between getting support and waiting to be rescued
• Why great coaching should build competence instead of dependence
• How we unknowingly outsource our health, happiness, and future to other people
• Why resilient people focus on what they can control
• How asking “What’s my next move?” can help when life feels overwhelming
• Why asking for help is sometimes the most resilient action you can take

You are not responsible for everything that happens to you.

But you are responsible for what you do next.

You didn’t choose the injury, the stressful week, the layoff, or what someone said to you.

But you still have a move.

Maybe it’s making the phone call.

Booking the appointment.

Going for the walk.

Apologizing.

Asking for help.

Going to bed.

Making the next meal better.

You don’t need to solve everything today.

You just need to make the next move.

Choose one area of your life where you currently feel stuck and ask yourself three questions:

What is outside my control?

Acknowledge it and stop wasting energy trying to control it.

What support do I need?

A coach? A friend? A healthcare professional? Someone to simply listen?

What’s my next move?

Choose one action and take it.

Because resilience isn’t about having control over everything.

It’s about knowing that even when life doesn’t go according to plan, you still have a move.

As always, please like, share, and subscribe.

If you would like some help, please reach out! I'd love to be your coach.

Thanks for listening!

____________________________________________

Connect with me!

https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/

https://ifixyourmindset.com

Feel free to join my free Facebook group. In it, I post helpful advice and resources for improving your fitness, nutrition and mindset.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton

As summer gets into full swing, Resilient Humans is taking a short break.

In this episode, Kevin reflects on some of the biggest lessons from the past year—from resilience and emotional regulation to capability, aging, identity, and what it truly means to take care of your health.

It's also an opportunity to say thank you. Nearly 200 episodes into the podcast, the support, messages, and conversations from listeners continue to make this journey worthwhile.

While there won't be any new episodes over the summer, Kevin will be recharging, collecting new ideas, and lining up some incredible guests for the fall.

And with Episode 200 just around the corner, there's plenty to look forward to.

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/

🌐 Website: https://ifixyourmindset.com

💬 Feel free to join my free Facebook group. In it, I post helpful advice and resources for improving your fitness, nutrition and mindset.

👥 https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton

This episode is different. It's personal.

A few weeks ago, Kevin's father fractured his hip and ultimately passed away. During his final week in the hospital, Kevin and his family witnessed moments that left them heartbroken - moments that raised difficult questions about dignity, caregiving, and the realities of an overwhelmed healthcare system.

This isn't an episode about blaming healthcare workers. In fact, it's quite the opposite. It's an acknowledgment that incredible people are working within a system that often cannot meet the growing needs of the population.

Most importantly, it's a conversation about something we still have control over: our own health.

Because after witnessing his father's final days, Kevin became even more convinced that health isn't just about living longer. It's about maintaining capability, preserving independence, and increasing the chances that we can live - and eventually die - with dignity.

Why do you exercise?

For many people, the answer changes over time.

What starts as a desire to lose weight, look better, or "get back in shape" often evolves into something much deeper. In this episode of Resilient Humans, Kevin explores the shift that happens when fitness stops being about fixing perceived flaws and starts becoming a tool for building strength, capability, and resilience.

This isn't an episode about workouts, calories, or PRs. It's about identity. It's about how training teaches us to handle stress, adapt to challenges, and show up for life with confidence.

Because eventually, the gym becomes about much more than the gym.

• Why many people begin exercising from a place of dissatisfaction
• The subtle shift from self-improvement to self-respect
• How training prepares you for challenges outside the gym
• Why exercise can provide stability in a chaotic world
• The connection between fitness, confidence, and resilience
• What it means to become "harder to break"
• Why capability may be one of the greatest gifts of consistent training

The longer you train, the less it becomes about changing your body and the more it becomes about building trust in yourself.

Trust that you can show up.

Trust that you can do hard things.

Trust that you'll be okay when life gets difficult.

That's resilience.

Ask yourself:

👉 Why do I exercise?

Is it still about fixing something?

Or has it become about strengthening something?

Take a few minutes this week to think about what your training allows you to do—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/

🌐 Website: https://ifixyourmindset.com

💬 Free Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton

As always, please like, share, and subscribe.

If you would like some help, please reach out! I'd love to be your coach.

Thanks for listening!