Welcome to Q&A Wednesday!

Hey, this is Rick. I’ve been getting tons of questions lately from people who feel like certain mindset strategies just aren’t working for them.

As I looked through them, I started to see a clear pattern emerge. The frameworks themselves—gratitude, visualization, you name it, are solid. The problem is often in how we apply them. We’re all making some really common mistakes in the application that can completely stall our progress.

So today, I’m answering your top questions about these mindset mistakes that keep you stuck.

Is your brain a terrible roommate?

Does it keep a running tally of every bite, leave passive-aggressive notes about the bagel you had for breakfast, and pay zero rent? It’s time to evict the constant food chatter, calorie calculations, and endless guilt.

This episode is your guide to breaking out of food prison. We're not talking about a free-for-all where you live on pizza and hope for the best. This is about building a flexible, stress-free approach to eating so you can get your mental energy back and focus on your actual life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to finally identify and fire the loud, obnoxious “Food Police” living in your head.
• Why your strict food rules are psychologically designed to fail and keep you trapped in an exhausting cycle of restriction, rebellion, and regret.
• The real reason you can’t stop thinking about “forbidden” foods (hint: it has nothing to do with a lack of willpower).
• A simple 3-step plan to build food flexibility, starting with the one strategy that sounds terrifying but is the key to your freedom.
• How to start listening to your body’s internal feedback system instead of external diet plans.
• A practical way to prove to your brain that eating a "bad" food won't lead to catastrophe, so you can finally move on with your day.

Your value as a person has absolutely nothing to do with what you ate for lunch. It’s time to stop acting like it does. Tune in and start your journey back to enjoying food.

What if the next time your inner critic pipes up after a setback, you didn't have to fight it?

Instead of draining your battery in a battle you can’t win, learn one simple shift that changes the conversation entirely. This episode gives you a powerful tool to save your energy for the only thing that matters: your next helpful step.

This isn’t about ignoring what happened; it’s about choosing a response that keeps you in the game instead of pushing you to quit.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to use the “Friend Question” to instantly change your perspective and stop a shame spiral in its tracks.
• The surprising brain science behind why self-criticism backfires and how self-compassion is the key to lasting change.
• A simple, 3-step practice for the exact moment you feel you’ve “messed up,” whether with food, a workout, or any other goal.
• How to anchor this new mindset with a guided 60-second reset you can use anytime, anywhere.

Your Practice from This Episode:

The next time you stumble and the critical voice appears, try this small action:

1. Notice: Pause and hear what you’re telling yourself.
2. Ask: "What would I say to a friend in this exact situation?"
3. Offer: Give that same kindness and understanding to yourself.

To mark the moment you become your own best ally, text yourself the word "Reset" as a quiet acknowledgment of your progress.