In fact, research suggests that when people are asked to identify the most meaningful and fulfilling experiences of their lives, they almost always identify ones that required sacrifice, struggle, and a leap of faith – defined as belief that they could do something for the first time without a guarantee the outcome would be what they wanted. The magic is in being willing to begin even though you don’t know how it ends.

Confidence is less like a rock and more like a tree. I’ve often imagined confidence as something solid and permanent, as though one day I'll become confident and remain that way forever. But confidence only survives if it’s nurtured. It grows through experience, stretches toward challenge, and develops deeper roots through adversity.

A blog series chronicling the adventures of a psychologist, ultra endurance athlete, and outdoor enthusiast committed to creating a life rich in experiences, growth, and purpose.

Standards, Goals, and the Courage to Keep Showing Up.

Real self-care isn't about escaping your life. It’s about building a life you don't actively need to escape from. Here is a look at what burnout actually does to us, and how to practice the kind of self-care that actually moves the needle.

The reality is that no amount of achievement is going to fix self doubt. The good news, therapy can help.

Hint: Therapy Isn’t Something That Happens To You

Improving a relationship rarely happens through grand gestures. It’s the small, consistent choices that make the biggest difference.

A blog series chronicling the adventures of a psychologist, ultra endurance athlete, and outdoor enthusiast committed to creating a life rich in experiences, growth, and purpose.

 Process goals don’t lower the bar. They build a sturdier ladder.

A few strategies to help you stay sane and steady in the presence of difficult people.

A blog series chronicling the adventures of a psychologist, ultra endurance athlete, and outdoor enthusiast committed to creating a life rich in experiences, growth, and purpose.

Learn how to start again. Let it be slow. Let it be messy.

At its core, perfectionism is not about healthy striving or growth, it’s about fear

A blog series chronicling the adventures of a psychologist, ultra endurance athlete, and outdoor enthusiast committed to creating a life rich in experiences, growth, and purpose.

Because time matters, and not everything we do for self-care or mental well-being can involve taking a week long vacation or spending an entire day indulging. Next time you have 10 minutes try one of these science-backed methods for boosting mood.

A blog series chronicling the adventures of a psychologist, ultra endurance athlete, and outdoor enthusiast committed to creating a life rich in experiences, growth, and purpose.

The truth is that setting boundaries and saying no when you need to or even simply when you want to, will enhance your mental well-being, enhance the quality of your performance on the things you do say yes to, and will actually improve your relationships with important people in your life.

For months, or maybe even years, you have dedicated yourself to your training and worked relentlessly toward your big goal race. No matter what the outcome of your race, whether you raced a personal best, fell short of your goal, or DNF’d, race day comes and goes. All of a sudden, the event you have been preparing for is over.

A blog series chronicling the adventures of a psychologist, ultra endurance athlete, and outdoor enthusiast committed to creating a life rich in experiences, growth, and purpose.

Success is like a destination on a road map- there are often several routes to get there. While there are lots of ways to foster success, there are several powerful, research-backed, daily actions that are especially effective at boosting productivity, performance, and life satisfaction.

Let me tell you a secret: nothing is wrong with your willpower.

The trouble with black and white thinking is rooted in perfectionism. If we believe that sustained perfectionism represents “success” we are setting ourselves up for failure.