Fewer Days That Suck: Real Talk About Stress, Mindset, and Getting Out of Your Own Way

In Episode 157 of the No Sitting on the Sideline Dad podcast, host Joe Foley sits down with author and mindset coach Deborah Mallow to talk about something we all face—but rarely slow down to deal with: burnout, negative thought patterns, and parenting under pressure.

Deborah shares her journey from being a top sales rep on the edge of burnout to creating a simple, effective framework for living with more intention and less overwhelm. Her book, Six Steps to Fewer Days That Suck, isn’t your typical self-help read—it’s packed with short reflections, mantras, and actionable steps that helped her—and now others—retrain their mindset and take back control of their days.

This conversation is a raw, honest, and hopeful look at how small changes can have a big impact—especially when stress starts to bleed into parenting and everyday life.

Topics covered in this episode:

• What burnout looks like and how it sneaks up on high-performers

• Understanding negativity bias and how to break it

• The connection between adult stress and a child’s self-esteem

• Learning how to pause before reacting in the heat of the moment

• Practical ways to build better mental habits (without adding pressure)

• The power of self-kindness, daily rituals, and meaningful affirmations

• How to raise resilient kids by modeling resilience ourselves

One of Deborah’s key takeaways:
“Nothing is going to change… unless I change.”

Listeners can learn more about Deborah’s work—and grab her free downloadable worksheets on happiness and motivation—by visiting TheDailyDecisions.com/inspire. Her book is also available on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and hardcover.

Links and Resources:

• Episode page: nosittingonthesideline.com/156

• Website: nosittingonthesideline.com

• Follow Joe on Instagram: @NoSittingPodcast

If this episode resonates, listeners are encouraged to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who might need it.