Episode 518: 7 Habits You Must Stop to Level Up

What if the reason you’re not moving forward isn’t what you’re missing, but what you keep holding on to? Change doesn’t happen because you add more to your life. It happens when you finally remove the habits that drain your time, your energy and your momentum.  In this solo episode, I break down the seven patterns that stop high performers from moving forward, even when they think they’re doing everything right. These questions come up constantly, and the truth behind them is the same. Waiting is a trap, negative energy slows you down, comfort blocks growth, complaining keeps you stuck in place. If you feel like you’re pushing hard but not getting anywhere, this episode will show you exactly what to cut. These are simple shifts, but they change everything. Tune in and take notes. What we discuss: (00:49) Why waiting to feel ready keeps you stuck (01:41) How negative people drain your creativity and momentum (02:26) Comfort that feels good now but blocks real growth (03:32) Complaining vs ownership and what actually moves you forward (04:07) Failure as feedback and the mindset shift that stops the quitting cycle (04:40) When saying yes becomes self-sabotage and how to break the pattern (05:41) Consuming before creating and why it kills your voice and momentum Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fits is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen  Find more from Jen: Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

Cutting off family and chronic therapy have become normalized, yet people feel more disconnected than ever. What’s labeled as healing often rewards avoidance and quietly erodes emotional resilience. We dive deeper into this in the latest Habits & Hustle with Tania Khazaal. We also chat about why therapy can keep people stuck instead of healing, how “protecting your peace” often protects pain, and why most people quit in the valley of despair right before real growth begins. Tania Khazaal is an emotional healing expert with a background in herbal practice and extensive study in psychology, neuroscience, human behavior, and communication. Her work centers on emotional resilience, relational repair, and the mind body connection. What We Discuss: (05:24) Why family estrangement is rising (06:27) How therapy culture can keep people stuck (08:24) When “protecting your peace” becomes avoidance (14:06) Triggers vs personal responsibility (23:03) Emotional suppression and physical health (36:54) Gentle parenting, discipline, and resilience (39:17) How emotional growth affects health, relationships, and performance (44:37) The valley of despair and why people quit( 49:12) Discipline and future pacing over motivation Thank you to our sponsors: Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen  Find more from Jen:  Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Tania Khazaal: Website: www.taniakhazaal.com Instagram: @taniakhazaal Facebook: @taniatheherbalistofficial Youtube: @taniakhazaal

This episode is part of The Best of Habits & Hustle, a series where we revisit some of the most impactful conversations we’ve shared. In this one, I sit down with Vanessa Van Edwards to unpack what charisma really is and why so many smart, capable people are quietly misread. We get into how trust and credibility are formed in seconds, why competence without warmth backfires, and how subtle cues shape whether people believe you, listen to you, or overlook you entirely. She breaks down what happens when people try to be neutral or unreadable, why under-signaling on online meetings makes you seem less trustworthy, and how small shifts in communication can completely change how your ideas land. If you’ve ever felt like your skills were there but your influence wasn’t, this conversation will click. Vanessa Van Edwards is a bestselling author, international speaker, and creator of People School. She is an instructor at Harvard University and has taught communication science to millions of students worldwide. Her work has been featured on CNN, BBC, and the Today Show, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. Most people assume charisma is about being funny or outgoing, but that mindset is exactly why smart, capable people keep getting overlooked. In reality, people decide whether they trust and believe you in seconds, and the signals you are sending might be working against you. We dive deeper into this in the episode with Vanessa Van Edwards. We chat about why competence without warmth backfires, how under-signaling on online meetings makes you seem less trustworthy, and the subtle cues that quietly determine whether people take you seriously. This episode is part of The Best of Habits & Hustle, a series where we revisit some of the most impactful conversations we’ve shared.  What We Discuss: (00:41) The two questions people subconsciously ask the moment they meet you (07:33) Why competence without warmth makes people distrust you (10:08) What happens when you are seen as “too nice” and not taken seriously (15:46) Why smart people fail to sell good ideas without emotional buy-in (16:42) How under-signaling and “being unreadable” backfires on video calls (18:55) The role of oxytocin and dopamine in building connection and motivation (21:52) The first 10 words that dramatically increase engagement on Zoom (30:15) What your handshake reveals about confidence and dominance (48:00) The impact of genuine vs. fake smiles on trust and perception (54:07) How communication cues change in digital spaces like email and texting Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use the code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen  Find more from Jen: Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Vanessa Van Edwards: Website: www.vanessa.blog Instagram: @vvanedwards Youtube: @vvanedwards Tiktok: @vvanedwards Facebook: @vvanedwards X: @vvanedwards

Do you ever feel like you are doing everything “right,” and your kid still seems anxious, dysregulated, or shut down? This conversation made me rethink what we have been told about parenting, work, and what kids actually need to feel safe. In this episode of Habits & Hustle, I sit down with psychoanalyst and parent guidance expert Erica Komisar to break down what kids actually need to build emotional resilience, why “quality time” alone isn’t enough, and how parental presence shapes brain development, stress tolerance, and long-term mental health. We talk about how stress shows up as fighting, avoidance, and attention issues, why transitions like mornings and after school are when kids need you most, and how overscheduling can become a quiet form of avoidance. She also explains why social media is a pressure amplifier, not the root cause, and what it takes to build real resilience before life gets hard. Erica Komisar, LCSW, is a psychoanalyst and parent guidance expert with nearly four decades of clinical experience. She is the author of Being There and Chicken Little, the Sky Isn’t Falling. What We Discuss: (00:00) Why Kids Are Struggling More Than Ever (08:42) The Myth Of “Quality Time” (18:15) What Early Brain Development Actually Needs (29:40) Why Overscheduling And Helicopter Parenting Backfire (41:10) The Real Roots Of Anxiety And ADHD (53:05) Why Social Media Isn’t The Original Problem (01:05:30) What Adolescents Need From Parents (01:18:50) The Hard Truth About Work, Parenting, And Priorities Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout.Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen  Find more from Jen: Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Erica Komisar: Website: www.ericaKomisar.com Instagram: @ericaKomisarBooks: The Parents' Guide to Divorce

This episode is part of The Best of Habits & Hustle, a series where I revisit some of the most impactful conversations we’ve shared. In this one, I sit down with Dr. Mary Claire Haver to break down what’s happening during perimenopause and menopause and why so many women are left confused and guessing. We get into why estrogen matters far beyond hot flashes, how muscle loss and belly fat accelerate in midlife, and why strength training becomes non-negotiable as women age.  She cuts through the fear and misinformation around hormone therapy, who it’s really for, and why women deserve better conversations with their doctors.She also shares a no-BS take on testosterone for women, GLP-1 medications, and why there are no shortcuts if you want to protect muscle, metabolism, and long-term health.  Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a board-certified OB-GYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause, and founder of The ‘Pause Life. She’s become one of the most trusted voices helping women understand what midlife is actually asking of their bodies. What We Discuss: (08:43) The difference between perimenopause and menopause (21:12) Why estrogen matters far beyond hot flashes (23:07) Muscle loss, belly fat, and metabolic changes in midlife (46:06) Why strength training is non-negotiable as women age (27:10) Hormone therapy myths and who it’s actually for (25:50) Testosterone for women and when it makes sense (38:27) Pellets, patches, and safer hormone options (52:04) GLP-1 medications and the risk of muscle loss Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen  Find more from Jen: Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Dr Mary Claire Haver: Website: www.thepauselife.com Instagram: @drmaryclaire Tiktok: @drmaryclaire Youtube: @drmaryclaire Facebook: @drmaryclaire Pinterest: @thepauselife

What actually makes a brand break through and stay relevant long after the hype fades? I wanted to explore that question with someone who sees behind the scenes of real growth, not just what looks good online. In this episode, I sit down with Emily Hickey to talk about what performance marketing really means, why specificity matters more than volume, and how the smartest brands focus on what is already working instead of chasing every new idea. We get into product positioning, influencer strategy, why hero products matter, and how marketing decisions connect directly to identity and behavior. We also talk about fitness, discipline, GLP-1 medications, and why building a business often forces you to build yourself at the same time. Emily Hickey is the co-founder and CEO of Chief Detective, a performance marketing agency working with leading consumer brands across Meta, Google, and social platforms. She also advises companies like Goop and Weight Watchers, helping leadership teams think clearly about growth, positioning, and longevity. What We Discuss: (00:00) Why Most Brands Stall Even With Great Marketing (07:18) What It Actually Means To Be A Top Meta Agency (14:42) Why Product Strategy Matters More Than Ads (22:05) The Biggest Mistake Early Brands Make Online (30:11) How Influencer Marketing Really Drives Sales (38:47) Why Winners Win And How To Spot Them Early (47:26) How Fitness Builds Confidence Beyond The Gym (56:02) The Real Link Between Personal Growth And Business Success Thank you to our sponsors: Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen    Find more from Jen:  Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Emily Hickey: Website: www.chiefdetective.com Instagram: @emilyhickey_official YouTube: Emily Hickey: Growth Series

How do you rebuild your life when everyone thinks they already know your story? How do you stay sharp and influential when every move you make is judged and dissected? In this episode of Habits & Hustle, I sit down with Jordan Belfort, the real-life inspiration behind Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed film The Wolf of Wall Street based on his bestselling autobiography. We get into the mindset behind high-stakes decisions, the psychology of influence, and how he built a system that turns underdogs into top performers. Jordan talks about rebuilding credibility, the habits that keep him steady now, and what extreme pressure taught him about discipline. He breaks down what persuasive leaders actually do differently and why charisma alone never gets you there. If you want a sharper understanding of communication, conviction, and reinvention, this one will land. Jordan Belfort is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, global sales trainer, and creator of the Straight Line System. After rising fast, falling hard, and rebuilding his life from the ground up, he has become one of the most recognizable thinkers in sales psychology, persuasion, and personal reinvention today. What We Discuss: (00:28) Why influence is something you can actually learn (05:12) The mindset Jordan used to handle high-stakes decisions (13:40) How the Straight Line System brings clarity to any conversation (18:55) What rebuilding credibility really looked like after his public fall (26:14) The habits that keep him steady and focused now (34:02) What extreme pressure taught him about discipline (41:33) The mechanics of persuasion and why charisma alone never works (55:10) What separates average closers from top performers (01:12:20) How he coaches leaders to communicate under pressure (01:28:46) The psychology behind reinvention and starting fresh Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout.Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen  Find more from Jen: Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Jordan Belfort: Website: www.jordanbelfort.com Youtube: @wolfofwallst Instagram: @wolfofwallst X: @wolfofwallst TikTok: @wolfofwallstreet Facebook: @jordanbelfort

What if the confusion around fasting and hormones isn’t because the science is complicated, but because most people are using the wrong tools for the wrong goals? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mindy Pelz to get clear about what fasting actually does, when it helps, and when it backfires. This is a conversation about taking ownership of your metabolism instead of chasing trends that don’t match your life. We talk about the viral moment from her Stephen Bartlett interview, how misinformation spreads, and what she learned from being at the center of it. Mindy breaks down her six core fasts, why women need a different strategy, and how to adjust your approach if you train hard. We get into cycle-based fasting, fertility, menopause, HRT, toxic load, peptides, creatine, apple cider vinegar, and the rise of GLP-1 drugs. If you’ve ever wondered how to use fasting without wrecking your energy or performance, this episode will give you a clearer path forward. Dr. Mindy Pelz is a bestselling author, educator, and functional health expert known as the fasting guru. Her books Fast Like a Girl and Age Like a Girl have helped millions of women rethink metabolic health, hormones, and aging, and she has led hundreds of thousands of people through community fasts that focus on real-world results, not quick fixes. What We Discuss: (00:00) How a Misquote Went Viral and Changed Mindy’s Career (04:12) What the Internet Got Wrong About Testosterone and Fasting (11:19) The Biggest Fasting Mistakes Most People Still Make (17:05) The Six Core Types of Fasting and When to Use Each (23:28) Fasting for Gut Repair, Weight Loss, and Dopamine Reset (28:54) How Athletes and Active Women Should Adapt Their Fasts (34:04) Cycle-Based Fasting and Hormonal Timing for Women (43:00) Supplement Cycling, Autophagy, and Metabolic Flexibility (55:19) GLP-1 Drugs, Gut Health, and the Real Drivers of Hunger (59:31) The Long-Term Risks of Quick-Fix Weight Loss Trends (01:05:40) Fertility, Progesterone Needs, and Rethinking HRT (01:16:14) Menopause, Brain Rewiring, and Building Cognitive Strength (01:28:48) Peptides, ACV, and Final Insights Before Wrap-Up Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen Find more from Jen:  Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Dr. Mindy Pelz: Website: www.drmindypelz.com Instagram: @dr.mindypelz TikTok: @drmindypelz YouTube: @drmindypelz

Ever wondered which diet actually works? Or if artificial sweeteners are as dangerous as the internet makes them sound? In this Fitness Friday episode, I sat down with nutrition expert Dr. Layne Norton to cut through the diet noise. We break down why personalization beats every trend, what the research really says about diet soda and sweeteners, and why the “best diet” looks different for every person. If you want straight answers, not fear-based headlines, this conversation will challenge a lot of what you think you know. Dr. Layne Norton is the founder of BioLayne, a company built on science-driven coaching and real-world experience. He has coached more than 70 athletes to pro status and helped thousands rethink nutrition with evidence instead of hype. Layne holds a BS in Biochemistry and a PhD in Nutritional Sciences, where he trained under one of the leading researchers in protein metabolism. What We Discuss: (00:00) The truth about the best diet for weight loss (00:38) Why adherence drives long-term results (03:29) How to find the diet style you can actually sustain (06:56) Diet soda and real weight-loss evidence (08:25) Artificial sweeteners and gut health research (10:41) What aspartame really breaks down into Thank you to our sponsors:   Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen  Find more from Jen:  Website: www.jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen   Books: www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Layne Norton, PhD:  Website: www.biolayne.com Instagram: @biolayne

How do you build real longevity without getting trapped in extreme protocols or daily routines that drain you instead of helping you? In this episode of Habits & Hustle, I sit down with a dietitian with a Master’s in Longevity Nutrition to talk about what actually supports aging well. We look at simple, practical strategies that make your body stronger instead of pushing it into burnout. We get into why fast-mimicking works so well, how it triggers real cellular repair, and why short, focused cycles beat everyday restriction. We also talk about muscle protection, what women in midlife need to pay attention to, and the metabolic shifts that happen when you stress the body the right way. Renee Fitton is a longevity dietitian with a Master’s in Longevity Nutrition and VP of Growth at ProLon. She brings a decade of experience in evidence-based nutrition and real-world strategies that help people build a healthier, stronger future. Tune in. What We Discuss: (06:06) What longevity means and why the focus needs to stay on healthspan (09:42) The habits that drive people into decline earlier than they expect (13:29) How environment, access and daily choices shape long-term health (18:09) What happens in the body during a fast and why repair matters with age (20:01) Why multi-day fasts create deeper benefits than everyday restriction (26:32) How fast-mimicking supports fasting benefits while keeping muscle intact (38:26) The changes people notice after five days, from skin to metabolism (44:40) Why finishing a reset often leads to stronger energy and consistency Thank you to our sponsors: Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit ⁠https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN⁠ and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Therasage: Head over to ⁠therasage.com⁠ and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to⁠ airdoctorpro.com⁠ and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to ⁠www⁠.⁠magicmind.com⁠/jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: ⁠Shop this link⁠ and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order  Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. ⁠Check it out at joinamp.com/jen ⁠ Find more from Jen:  Website: ⁠www.jennifercohen.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@therealjencohen  ⁠ Books: ⁠www.jennifercohen.com/books⁠ Speaking: ⁠www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement⁠ Find more from Renee Fitton: Website: ⁠www.fittonnutrition.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@fittonnutrition