Stanford Psychologist Reveals One Change That Will Dramatically Improve Your Life | Kelly McGonigal
This episode is sponsored by Blinkist. Go to Try it FREE for 7 days and save 25% off your new subscription.
An acknowledged leader in the “science-help” movement, Kelly McGonigal has dedicated her career to using neuroscience and psychology to develop methods of improving mental well-being. And she is now at the forefront of researchers and advocates who continue to explore the connection between mind and body. On this episode of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, Dr. Kelly McGonigal explains how to change your emotional states through physical movement, and also explains why movement has such a strong effect on the brain. She also describes ways to become more compassionate, shares the story of her own struggles with chronic pain, and gives surprising insights into why it’s not always good to try to control your inner experiences.
SHOW NOTES:
“This is the book I was born to write.” [3:30]
Movement and exercise are essential to mental well-being [4:15]
Kelly explains the hypothesis that we have large brains for physical movement [5:50]
Tom and Kelly discuss runner’s high and why he doesn’t get it [7:12]
Working out your core reduces anxiety [11:03]
Kelly explains how your brain receives information from your muscles and tendons [11:51]
Kelly and Tom discuss how physical improvement changes your self-image [13:15]
Kelly talks about why it’s not always good to try to control your inner experiences [17:53]
Kelly describes her experience with chronic pain [21:05]
Kelly has a strong gut instinct for whether or not things are consistent with her values [24:00]
How do you teach someone to be compassionate and self-compassionate? [27:56]
How to be a better listener [31:41]
Kelly explains how she teaches self-compassion [34:52]
Tom’s crucial insight that even the average human is the ultimate adaptation machine [38:05]
Tom and Kelly discuss competition and cooperation [40:48]
Kelly describes overcoming the need to be better than others [42:33]
Kelly shares the impact she wants to have on the world [44:29]
QUOTES:
“Your literal moment to moment sense of self is always being informed by what your body is doing.” [11:36]
“You can choose your values over trying to control your inner experiences.” [23:49]
“So you’re lifting something heavy. Your brain is going to get feedback from muscle contraction and tension from the tendons on your joints. Your brain does not get that information and think, ‘my bicep is strong.’ Or, ‘my lats are strong.’ The brain thinks, ‘I am strong.’” [12:02]
FOLLOW:
WEBSITE:
INSTAGRAM:
FACEBOOK:
TWITTER:
BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
“The Willpower Instinct” [2:07]
“The Upside of Stress” [2:07]
“The Joy of Movement” [2:53]
IMPACT THEORY MERCHANDISE: Check out Impact Theory’s Merch Shop:
#Stanford #Psychologist #Reveals #Change #Dramatically #Improve #Life #Kelly #McGonigal
❤️❤️❤️🇰🇼🇰🇼🇰🇼🇰🇼🇰🇼🇰🇼🇰🇼
thumbs down for the ad
I like her dress sense
Wouldn't it be better if we didn't have modern technology? Then we could move every day as intended to survive instead of writing books.
Tom, I love your shows. I think you are a great interviewer. In fact you’re better than Oprah, (I’m actually a fan of hers) because you let your guests speak fully, without interrupting them. Oprah used to be that way, but now she interrupts and even talks more than her guests. As a viewer I’ve tuned in to hear the experts insights, so I want to hear what they’ve learned. Therefore, they should be the primary speaker and teacher. The interviewer should just keep the dialogue going. You do that very well. I have one issue that makes me sometimes turn off your show and even avoid it sometimes…you use the “f” word. Here’s what makes that confusing…
On your show you’ve interviewed experts on the power and energy of words in our life, the effect they have in our brains and our bodies. What kind of energy and frequency do you think that word or others like it are conveying? Positive or adverse? If we froze that word what kind of crystal do you think it would form? The English language is rich with amazing words to express our deepest sentiments. Don’t you think we have a higher intellect to use words that share our thoughts in a way that still convey our message but don’t harm our energy and frequency fields. Is our command of vocabulary strong enough to speak with true words of conviction in a empowering form? Just hoping this makes you think a moment about the common use of words and their true effect in the world and within us individually….
I am captivated!! More please 😁
Ancient wisdom:
Body is exercised by movement
Mind is exercised by stillness
Tom, reach out to her and let her know someone told you the reason for her pain is that her energy is getting stuck at her upper chakras. When she said the pain is the worst when she has to talk, it becomes clear that her energy is flowing down from the crown but cannot pass through the rest of her body. A Pranic Healer will be able to help her.
Due to THREE different neck injuries (including a head injury during the most recent 4/2018 accident) I've had a 24/7 brain crushing headache since 10/1/1995. It has destroyed my life. Over 100 doctors and healers have not been able to help me. And now I also have back pain from yoga gone wrong in February and there's new stiffness and pain in my right hand. Constant pain in my head has ruined everything. And the fact that I keep getting injuries makes me feel like God hates me.
Does not work for autism believe me knowing I have a 'different' brain is the only way I cope in this bonkers world. I used to walk, cycle and ride horses and I was unhappy all my life. I've moved through the mental health system with all it's diagnosies, diet, vitamins, minerals and meditation…………….. Only when I realised my brain was actually different with a late dignosis of autism and really was not designed for this bonkers world and that I could stop expecting myself to be 'normal' that is pushing myself/coping with cities, work stress, sociolising, relationships etc., that I felt better. I loved 'lockdown' and had never been happier as I did not believe the science and loved the lack of pressure or cars on the street or people……………. I also eat carnivore now. I'm guessing the host may be on the spectrum because of his response to exercise? Hope this helps someone? x
Well said by an animal 😉
It's not movement = mental health. It's mental health = movement.
Also please explain how a zen monk who sits on his ass all day meditating any not moving can have such a stable mental health?
So I guess people who are paralyzed are doomed to depression? Yet research also shows they adjust. Other contributors to happiness take precedent. Also, it doesn’t seem mysterious to me at all that we should be designed for movement since for early humans, moving to get food was essential. But what’s also true is that we have, or most people do, a bias for moving as little as needed to get that food because that was incredibly useful at one point. So was getting heavy and being able to use up stores. The people in the world now who are naturally thin and naturally want to move already anomalies. It’s amazing their ancestors even survived. So a lot of modern life is about having to consciously thwart the mismatched predilections.
Tom- thanks for introducing her to us. Love your work. Keep on helping us
She is great!!
So amazing.to hear this woman and values that make our core vibrate in alignment and what it can mean and our physical challenges overcome helps every cell in our body build resilience. Amazing talk
Wanted to listen, but f*word? Really?!!
No need for the cursing.
This lady is beautiful, her husband is a lucky man
I practice Yoga 3 times a day, plus gym. I make time for it, even if one session is only 10 minutes, I somehow throw it into my schedule where it fits.
YOU DONT KNOW ME, SON
Psychology and Physiology are both equally important. Dont give up exploring either. Sure. Exercise and Diet is easier. Psychology part takes more time.
Kelly is the best as was her willpower instinct. She is only out done by her gorgeous face! She is beyond great!
Her sister is real cool also.
Guy's please check out her willpower instinct it is a game changer as well. It's been the number one class at Stanford for a few years. That was about five years ago but it is even more profound. He hot sister does a great Ted talk on gaming and it's benefits. I don't game but I believe in moderation there are definitely cognitive benefits to be garnered.
Thanks Tom. I am done. Lol
I like his vids but just cringe when he swears in front of people who are being professional and polite.
saddest part about this interview is when Thom says he focusses on lifting weights. ……. just sad
Yoga. Vedas prescribed yoga from the beginning. Pity when people don't listen or follow due to western societies influence.
Tom is a Demigod who only talks to other demigods
Physicality is a balancing act that most modern humans are on the sedentary side of. I’ve certainly worked manual labor jobs that were so physically draining that it negatively affected my mood.
Movement is strength 👍
Tom, you are so sweet and natural. Thanks for being you!!
Subtitles please
Eat natural foods number 1. Walk number 2. You are not your body number 3 so meditate and find this out
So planks are the solution to anxiety !!!
Who excersices a lot and still struggles with depression? ☝️
Take it for what it’s worth…..I’m 54 years old and have suffered from chronic daily headaches for over 15 years. I’ve been to multiple neurologists, allergists, ENTs, had sleep studies done, tried acupuncture, chiropractors, diets and was at the end of the road with multiple rescue medications. I finally started doing physical aerobic exercising…biking and jogging….most days twice/day. My headaches are completely gone…..I mean completely gone. Like a light switch. I can’t explain it or know the real reason why they stopped but whatever the reason I am beside myself with happiness. I’m fit again, I was 180 lb at one point and am down to 143, I have so much energy and focus. It has been beyond my best wildest expectations. The sad part about it is no doctor ever suggested physical exercise. I think it may have turned out for the better because I came to the conclusion on my own. I think every damn doctor should prescribe diet and exercise before prescribing medications…
Is her hair slightly pink?
I love her insight into herself and what gives her meaning. Inspiring authenticity. I love how she embraces the reality of the pain and the love in life. Wow wow wow.
Fibromyalgia and cfs depression brought to these podcasts
Woah… brilliance from 6:30
A comment I recently mentioned on fb. If you're not moving, you ain't living. Good blood flow is key.
Good that psychologists come forward and share their data. Its about time they share some knowledge!
With all this talk about Values I’m very curious to know what Venus is doing in her natal chart.
Hmmmm….
This is key to overall well-being. We were designed to move. Funny how we have to be convinced to do something that is so fundamental. As I transition to a completely different work life in a highly stressful environment it has truly become my savior.
Just one question for her, Is it healthy to play high level of sports, or high level of hospitality, high level of connection… I think the most important is moving yes but at our speed comfort… The most important is respect the rhythm of everyone, normally not? So why in the world we are going on the other way?
Mr. B ,thank you ! Your work is the best! Íve learned sooo much from you!