Untrigger Yourself by Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute

In this episode, we explore Rational-Emotional Integrative Updating (REIU), the Emotional Fitness practice we teach at Vivir. This conversation explains how the program works and breaks down why recognizing a pattern or understanding its origins may not be enough to change how we react, and why the process begins with noticing our present responses, deciding whether they still serve us, and choosing whether to update them.

The discussion also explores how emotional fitness is a skill developed through attention and daily practice. We explain how REIU brings rational reflection together with the Emotional Updating technique to help people untrigger themselves and thus align how they think with how they feel. Rather than relying only on coping strategies or seeing familiar reactions as fixed, we emphasize the importance of personal agency, consistent effort, and the possibility of taking greater ownership of one’s emotional life.

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.

In this episode, the conversation explores why lasting emotional well-being requires more than passive treatment or short-term coping strategies. It looks at the importance of personal responsibility, daily practice, and learning how to take ownership of the emotional responses shaped by our past experiences.

The discussion also considers how emotional fitness can be developed as a practical skill, giving people the tools to change triggered responses, break unhelpful patterns, and become more self-reliant. Rather than accepting anxiety, sadness, or other emotional challenges as fixed parts of identity, the episode makes the case for personal agency, consistent effort, and the possibility of reclaiming control over one’s emotional life.

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.

In this episode, the conversation explores why lasting personal growth requires more than a single technique or good intentions. It looks at the value of self-examination, critical thinking, and learning how our past experiences shape the emotional responses that can keep us stuck.

The discussion also considers how engaging deeply with ideas — from Stoic philosophy to art, science, and other sources of wisdom — can help us develop a broader perspective on life. Rather than skimming for quick answers, the episode makes the case for curiosity, reflection, and sustained learning as ways to become more present, resilient, and fully engaged in life.

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.

In this episode, the conversation explores mindfulness beyond the usual “pay attention to your inner world” framing and expands it into a broader question: how do we stay fully engaged with reality, our responsibilities, and the people around us?

The discussion centers on the idea that mindfulness is not passive calm or mental emptiness, but an active, functional state of awareness. When the mind is clear, present, and orderly, we are better able to process information, solve problems, and respond to life in a constructive way.

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.

This episode explores mindfulness as both a tool and a framework, contrasting modern self-focused practice with a broader, more present way of engaging with life. The conversation unpacks why so many people feel mentally overloaded in the first place, how constant self-doubt drains bandwidth, and why changing your response to triggers can create a completely different day-to-day experience. Instead of endlessly wrestling emotions under control, you may be able to move through life with more ease, less noise, and far more capacity for what’s actually in front of you.

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.

This conversation explores the complexities of wellness extremism, the pursuit of longevity, and the importance of balance and self-awareness. It challenges the obsession with youth, health optimization, and societal trends that foster self-centeredness, urging a more harmonious approach with nature and oneself.

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.

This conversation explores the deep-rooted emotional and psychological factors behind eating disorders and unhealthy relationships with food. The conversation covers the complex relationship between emotional distress, self-worth, and disordered eating behaviors. It highlights how shame, coping mechanisms, and societal influences contribute to eating disorders and offers insights into navigating these challenges. 

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.

This episode explores the complex issues of body image, self-worth, and societal influences. We discuss how media, social pressures, and early childhood experiences shape our perceptions of beauty and self-esteem, and how to develop a healthier self-image.

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.

This conversation delves into the concept of emotional fitness, emphasizing the importance of confronting reality as a foundational component of emotional fitness. The discussion explores the complexities of perception, the impact of emotional states on our understanding of reality, and the necessity of critical thinking in processing information. 

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.

This conversation delves into the core concept of emotional fitness – the importance of confronting reality and responding positively. Peter and Katrina discuss how these principles can lead to personal growth, improved interpersonal relationships, and a more positive societal impact. They explore the challenges of being present, gathering information, and the effects of triggered responses on our ability to handle life's difficulties. The conversation also highlights the role of leadership in fostering a positive environment and the ripple effect of individual choices on the broader community.

Welcome to Untrigger Yourself, a podcast by the Vivir Emotional Fitness Institute. Join us as, Vivir founder, Dr. Peter Hercules, shares his insights and expertise on the complexities of human emotions and personal growth. Through deep discussions and thoughtful analysis, this biweekly podcast explores the topic of emotional fitness from many different angles.

Co-hosted by his daughter and Vivir co-founder, Katrina Hercules, this podcast offers an informed perspective on cultivating emotional fitness and navigating life’s journey with clarity and positivity.