Make Yourself BETTER: One Simple Trick w Ryan Gottfredson

Do you ever feel like your life is running you—and not the other way around?In this solo episode of Change Made Easy, Paul unpacks the concept of being a “hostage of circumstance”—when your current life limitations dictate what you can or can’t do. Whether it's your finances, health, or relationships, feeling like you have no control is one of the worst experiences a human can have.But here’s the good news: You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to build your capacity for when change becomes possible.🧠 What You’ll Learn:What “agency” is and why it’s essential for mental healthHow to mentally shift from victimhood to preparationA real-life client story that shows how unseen preparation leads to future freedomWhy reading, journaling, fitness, and therapy are investments in future choiceHow to stop wasting energy on what you can’t control and focus on what you can🎯 Action Step:Do one thing this week—physical, mental, emotional, or financial—that puts you in a better position to win in the future, regardless of your current situation.📎 Resources:Related episode: When Doing Too Much Gets You NothingFree change tips to your email weeklyBook a free strategy call with Paul

You’ve read the books. You’ve taken the course. You’ve listened to the podcasts. So why haven’t you changed?According to Ryan Gottfredson—author, researcher, and expert in mindset science—it’s because you’ve been developing on the doing side, when real transformation only happens on the being side.In this deep-dive conversation, Paul and Ryan explore the groundbreaking science of vertical development—what it is, why it matters, and how to actually start living it.🧠 Topics We Cover:Horizontal vs. Vertical Growth: What’s the difference?Why trauma wires your nervous system for protectionHow to tell whether you’re operating from fear or valueThe three adult development stages (and why 64% of people stay at the lowest)How practices like meditation, mindset work, and therapy regulate your system🔗 Links & Resources:Ryan’s Book: Becoming BetterTake the Free Vertical Development Assessment: RyanGottfredson.comRelated Episode: Everything Is Functional

Everyone wants the result—very few are willing to be terrible first.In this episode, Paul asks two uncomfortable but crucial questions:How much is it worth to you?And: Can you be bad at it long enough to get good?Whether it’s fitness, finances, love, or business, every dream has a cost—and it’s not just money. Time, energy, discomfort, and uncertainty are the real currency of change.💡 You’ll Learn:What “magic wand goals” are—and why they’re dangerousThe reason people give up too earlyHow embracing failure and discomfort speeds up successWhy you already “suck” at the thing you’re avoiding—and how to use that as fuelThe one mindset shift that changes how you chase every goal📎 Resources:Linked episode: Get UnfamiliarBook a free 1:1 coaching sessionSubscribe to Change Made Easy and leave a review!

What if your words are the most powerful diet you’ll ever be on?In this episode of Change Made Easy, I talk with Kyle Smith about why words are the macronutrients of the mind, and how they quietly shape our self-belief, our actions, and our future.We explore:The danger of “soft talk” and the power of solid language.Why micro-decisions build confidence and momentum.Kyle’s 4-step framework for decluttering painful stories.The difference between victim mentality and victor mentality.Why writing your stories down gives you the leverage to change your life.If you’ve ever struggled with indecision, old narratives, or feeling stuck, this episode gives you the tools to start moving forward today.

We hear it all the time: “Get uncomfortable.”But what if discomfort isn’t the key to growth? What if the real issue is familiarity?In this solo episode, Paul explores how staying stuck in the familiar—even when it’s painful—is the #1 reason people can’t change. Whether it’s relationships, routines, or recurring patterns, your brain will always choose the known over the unknown… until you choose differently.🎯 You’ll Learn:Why you keep repeating habits that don’t help youHow your brain confuses familiarity with safetyWhy “hard” doesn’t always mean “helpful”The one phrase that helped Paul finally grow (personally + relationally)How to use “getting unfamiliar” to unlock progress in any area📎 Resources:Listen to: Why Is Change So Hard?Want help creating real, lasting change? Book a free strategy call: [Insert Link]Subscribe to Change Made Easy and follow @changemadeeasy on InstagramLeave a 5-star review to support the show!

What if the biggest obstacle in your health, relationships, or career isn’t lack of strategy—but the lies you believe about yourself?In this episode of Change Made Easy, I sit down with Mitchell Osmond, speaker, coach, and host of the Dad Nation podcast. Mitchell helps high performers reclaim their home, health, and happiness by exposing the toxic mental scripts that drive self-sabotage.We explore:The 5 most common lies people believe—and why they keep you stuck.Mitchell’s CLEAR framework for identifying and replacing those lies.Why courage feels different from confidence—and why you can’t be courageous and comfortable at the same time.How to stop living in the “gap” and start living in the “gain.”If you’ve ever felt like you keep hitting the same wall again and again, this conversation will give you the tools to finally break free.Resources & Links:Mitchell’s free gift: The Connection CodeThe Dad Nation Podcast

Laziness. It’s one of the harshest labels you can give someone—or yourself. But what if laziness isn’t bad? What if it’s… functional? Strategic? Even brilliant?In this episode, Paul challenges everything you think you know about laziness. Instead of fighting it, what if you could build your life around it—and become happier, healthier, and more successful in the process?💡 You’ll Learn:Why laziness is built into your biology (and that’s not a bad thing)The cultural myths around productivity and overworkThe work-life tradeoffs Paul refused to make—and whyHow “lazy” decisions created more time, energy, and peaceHow to apply “intentional laziness” to your habits, business, and life📎 Resources:Free weekly newsletterFree coaching call with Paul

What if the biggest shift you could make in your life was also the simplest—taking full ownership?In this episode of Change Made Easy, I sit down with Tony Schmaltz, “The Upgrade Coach,” author of Wake the Bleep Up, and host of the "Wake The BLEEP Up" podcast. Tony is on a mission to help 10 million people upgrade their lives by breaking free from programming and embracing responsibility.We explore:Why taking responsibility—even when it’s “not your fault”—is the key to freedom.The journaling exercise Tony uses to help clients stop blaming and complaining.The role of programming in shaping your confidence and decision-making.How to use an accomplishment journal to celebrate small wins and build momentum.Why acknowledging others transforms both relationships and self-belief.This episode will challenge the way you see yourself—and unlock the tools to start upgrading your life today.

You’re trying to get healthier. Or start a podcast. Or build a business. But every time you start, it feels like the goal breaks into a thousand little pieces—and before long, you’re overwhelmed and quitting again.Here we share the two most important (and most overlooked) elements of any behavior change: foundational skills and cornerstone habits.🎯 What You’ll Learn:Why “simple” goals get complicated fastHow to stop the overwhelm before it startsWhat foundational skills make change sustainableHow to identify the few habits that make everything else easier📎 Resources & Mentions:Linked episode: 30 Days to Eliminate Self-SabotageWant 1-on-1 help building your foundation? Book a free coaching callPartner: MyBodyTutor.com — Get $50 off your first month with code “PAUL”🎙️ Subscribe to Change Made Easy and leave a review if this helped you reframe your approach to change!

What if the difference between burnout and balance is as simple as the words you say to yourself?In this episode of Change Made Easy, I sit down with Judy Belmont, psychotherapist, speaker, and author of 110 CBT Tips and Tools. Judy has spent over 40 years helping people transform negative self-talk, reframe stress, and find peace of mind.We explore:Why stress isn’t always bad—and how chasing meaning makes it powerful.The role of ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) in anxiety and depression.Judy’s ABCDE framework for challenging irrational thoughts.Why forgiveness—especially self-forgiveness—is the missing link for many.How to shift from being a victim of life to being a victor in life.If you’re ready to stop arguing with reality and start speaking to yourself with compassion, this episode is for you.Book a FREE Coaching call w Paul"Change Made Easy" Substack