On this episode of Relatable Wisdom, I sit down with Cole Grace, a combat veteran and author who knows firsthand how inner resilience is built—moment by moment, and thought by thought. Cole shared his guiding mantra: “Don’t freak out, figure it out,” a powerful quote rooted in his time working with roadside bombs in the Army. We explored how this simple phrase shifted his focus from fear and worry to problem-solving, both in high-stakes combat situations and the frustrations of everyday life, like getting a flat tire. Cole opened up about the neuroscience behind mindset changes, the importance of practicing tools like gratitude and mission statements when you’re feeling good, and the reality that even those with intense life experience still need reminders to reframe negativity. If you’re seeking practical wisdom for handling stress, changing your mindset, or finding meaning during tough moments, Cole’s stories will resonate. His journey is a testament to building inner calm—even when life feels chaotic on the outside.

Connect With Cole Grace

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cgrace

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Chapters

00:00 Writing A Personal Mission Statement
00:41 Practicing Tools Before You Need Them
00:57 Welcome And Guest Introduction
01:32 Cole’s Story And Background
01:40 Cole’s Favorite Quote
01:44 “Don’t Freak Out, Figure It Out”
01:52 How The Quote Emerged In The Army
02:27 Handling Emotions Under Pressure
03:18 Personal Stories Of Problem Solving
04:38 From Bombs To Flat Tires
05:21 Reframing Everyday Frustrations
06:18 Why We Worry So Much
07:31 Human Nature And Worst-Case Thinking
09:13 Putting Life In Perspective
10:34 Technical Difficulties As Life Lessons
11:02 Cole’s Own Struggles With Minor Stress
12:13 The Fear Of Suffering Vs. Suffering
13:09 Beliefs, Mindset, And “Bad Luck”
14:11 The Power Of Focus And Attention
15:45 How Your Profession Shapes Your Lens
16:12 Reticular Activating System Explained
17:09 Practicing Positivity Takes Work
17:23 How Freaking Out Makes Things Worse
18:08 Road Rage And Combat Trauma
19:16 Conscious Awareness And Reframing
20:04 Vulnerability And Ongoing Growth
21:02 Writing A Mission Statement For Clarity
21:36 Practicing Skills When You’re Well
21:55 Navigating Pressure With Intention
22:28 Cole’s Book And Core Practices
23:55 Gratitude, Affirmations, And Mindset
23:58 Gratitude And Positivity In Practice
24:03 Where To Find Cole Grace
24:38 Closing And Gratitude