This week on WORDS MATTER, Deanna Ley, The Catalytic Coach, shares a moment from behind the scenes of finishing her first book, ROOTED: Your 30 Day Journey Toward Whole-Self Health. What started as frustration and exhaustion turned into a reminder that words don’t just describe our reality – they define it.
“I DON’T DO CAN’T.”
Born from a breaking point, that phrase became Deanna’s own Empowered Refusal — a concept she first heard from Marie Forleo, based on research by Dr. Vanessa Patrick. The study found that saying “I don’t” instead of “I can’t” changes how the brain processes decisions, strengthening conviction and follow-through.
This episode reminds us that language shapes identity and that the words we choose — especially in the hard moments — can either drain our strength or call it back to life.
What Listeners Will Learn:
• The science behind the Empowered Refusal and how it builds self-trust
• Why “I don’t” is more powerful than “I can’t”
• How to reclaim your authority through intentional language
• Why empowered words create sustainable confidence and follow-through
• How to use “I DON’T DO CAN’T” as a daily anchor in hard seasons
Memorable Quotes:
• “I DON’T DO CAN’T.” - Deanna Ley
• “‘I can’t’ sounds like restriction, but ‘I don’t’ says, ‘This is who I am, and this is what I choose.’”
• “Our words tell our brains what’s possible.”
• “Empowered Refusals build conviction, confidence, and follow-through.”
• “Each time you shift from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I don’t,’ you’re reminding your brain of who’s in charge.”
• “Say it until you feel it. Let it anchor you. Let it remind you that you always have another choice.”
• “I don’t do can’t. I do courage. I do persistence. I do returning to myself, even when it’s hard.”
When life feels heavy and doubt whispers “you can’t,” this episode is your reminder that you can, you will, you must, and you are — because the words you speak to yourself will always lead the way.
Your WORDS MATTER, because YOU MATTER.
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Text Deanna! She'd love to hear from you!
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Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
Follow Deanna on social media for frequent insights and inspiration, and share your favorite takeaways from this episode on social media. Tag her! She’d love to hear your thoughts.
Facebook: https://Facebook.com/TheCatalyticCoach
Instagram: https://Instagram.com/TheCatalyticCoach
Subscribe to the WORDS MATTER by Deanna Ley podcast so you never miss an episode at:
https://wordsmatterwithdeannaley.buzzsprout.com
For more inspiration, coaching, and tools to ignite your Possible, visit:
https://DeannaLey.com
Deanna's book - ROOTED: Your 30-Day Journey Toward Whole-Self Health - is now available! You can order it at https://deannaley.com/chooserooted
For ladies who want to join Deanna's CORE4 Community, visit:
http://CORE4community.com
Ready to take the next step? Explore Deanna’s coaching programs and resources designed to help you RISE and IGNITE YOUR POSSIBLE at:
http://TheCatalyticCoach.com
Contact Deanna to have her speak to your group at:
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