The Finding My Psych Podcast

Today I spend some time reflecting on my experience using Ai coaching using the Whoop and Bevel applications. Over the past six months I have tested these tools off and on. Testing also included using the basics of the Apple Watch and my Garmin Epix Pro with Garmin Connect Plus. What I learned surprised me - What at first felt exciting and enticing, later left me feeling empty and I input endless data and got very little back except what I already knew.

Is your health tanking? Are there behaviours contributing to your downward wellness spiral? Today I talk about replacing maladaptive behaviours with incongruent behaviours, purposefully consistent with positive health outcomes. Finally, we discuss the power of consistency and how to shut off the argumentative chatter in your brain getting in the way of you achieving consistency.

Today I celebrate the person and podcaster, Rich Roll. You will know well the Rich Roll Podcast sometimes referenced in this show. You will also know that Rich has made significant changes to his approach in how he connects with his audience over the past couple of months. I review my own reactions and the overarching impact his work has had on my life and content. I also take some time to sink into my, "Why" on three key interests in my life. Being connected to why we embrace the important commitments provides the power to keep them going, even when things lack a sense of motivation or reward.

Today I spend time talking about my own learning pre and post injury as a long distance runner. I promote the idea that Gurus are ruining our wellness experience promoting their own financial gain. I also talk about how easily we are taken in by contradictory content on YouTube, designed to create anxiety and purchasing. In the end, there are no hacks to wellness - We simply must put in the work, one micro-habit at a time.

Today I share my own experience with Strava and what led me to quitting this social media platform built for athletes. We are all learning to manage the social signals competing for our attention and compelling our behaviour. The Strava, "kudos" and comments after each activity, promotes engagement on the platform, and in the end, is a very shallow form of motivation. I review the difference between these extrinsic signals and the intrinsic counterpart we should strive for.

Today I celebrate my return to the Finding My Psych Podcast after more than two years away with injury and navigating major life changes. I share what kept me away and things I have learned since I connected with you last. Finally, I leave you with ideas for future content and a brief discussion on the, "three why's" when you are feeling stuck.

In today's episode, I share research and anecdotal evidence of my own experience in managing a perceived decline in motivation as I step into my early 50s. While there are popularized and straight forward cognitive explanations that point to a decline in motivation with age, changes in motivation and the, "get up and go" approach to activation, are caused by an array of contributing factors.

I am currently using the Watch OS 10 and iOS 17 Developer Beta. We are now able to test the new Apple Health integration, "State of Mind," intended to help you track your mood throughout the day. In today's podcast episode, I share my reaction after a month of sharing my mood with Apple.

There is no greater feeling that adhering to a goal, no matter the challenge. Today is a significant landmark in my, 'dry' journey. I am proud to be celebrating both Canada Day, 2024, and 300 days of sobriety. I choose sobriety and I am not an alcoholic.

There are some things in my 20s and 30s that I wish I knew. Hindsight might be 20/20, but surely wisdom from later in life would have helped, right? In today's episode, I provide 10 (plus a bonus) nuggets that I have gained over the years, advice that would have saved me some growing pains and heartache.