November 21, 2024 • 9 mins
Welcome to Day 12 of the “Start Thinking Forward” 22-Day Challenge. This episode is your reckoning. Today, host Brandon L. Draper strips away every excuse, every lie you’ve told yourself, and every illusion you’ve clung to.
In this intense and raw session, we dive deep into the walls we build around ourselves—the fear, the self-doubt, the excuses—and tear them down brick by brick.
This is not for the faint of heart. This is for those ready to face their reflection, confront their demons, and take the hard, necessary steps to create real, lasting change.
Through powerful stories, cutting-edge neuroscience, and the kind of tough love that forces transformation, Brandon pushes you to dig deeper than ever before.Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing the tools to break through the barriers holding you back.
Ready to face yourself, shatter your illusions, and create the life you’re meant to live? Listen, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join the movement to take control and start thinking forwar
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
In this intense and raw session, we dive deep into the walls we build around ourselves—the fear, the self-doubt, the excuses—and tear them down brick by brick.
This is not for the faint of heart. This is for those ready to face their reflection, confront their demons, and take the hard, necessary steps to create real, lasting change.
Through powerful stories, cutting-edge neuroscience, and the kind of tough love that forces transformation, Brandon pushes you to dig deeper than ever before.Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing the tools to break through the barriers holding you back.
Ready to face yourself, shatter your illusions, and create the life you’re meant to live? Listen, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join the movement to take control and start thinking forwar
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast. I'm Brandon L. Draper,
and today is day twelve of our twenty two day challenge.
I'm not here to coddle you or feed you comforting lies.
This is your wake up call, your moment to confront
the person staring back at you in the mirror. Today,
(00:20):
we're gonna dig into the walls you've built around yourself,
the ones that keep you safe but stagnant, the ones
that protect you from pain but also block out growth.
We're gonna confront those walls head on and start tearing
them down, brick by brick. This isn't gonna be easy,
but it's necessary. If you want to break through, to
(00:41):
live a life of purpose and fulfillment, you have to
face the truth about yourself. So let's start by asking
the hard questions. What walls have you built? And why
are you still hiding behind them? We all build walls.
Maybe it started in childhood when someone told you that
you weren't good enough. Maybe it was a failure that
(01:04):
stung so badly you promised yourself you'd never try again.
Or maybe it was a betrayal someone you loved, someone
you trusted let you down in ways you couldn't have imagined,
and so brick by brick, you built a wall. Here's
the thing about these walls. They're not real. They feel solid, impenetrable,
(01:27):
like they're keeping you safe, but they're just illusions. The
real prison isn't the wall itself, it's the mindset that
keeps you from walking around it, the illusion of safety.
Let's talk about why we build these walls in the
first place. At their core, walls are about protection. We
build them to keep ourselves safe from failure, rejection, and pain.
(01:50):
But here's the catch. Those walls don't just keep out
the bad stuff. They also keep out the good opportunities growth, connection,
and joy. Take relationships, for example, you might avoid vulnerability
because you're afraid of getting hurt, but by doing that,
you're also blocking out love, intimacy, and connection. It's a paradox.
(02:11):
The walls we build to protect ourselves end up becoming
the very things that imprison us, the wall of fear.
Let me tell you about Sarah, a brilliant artist who
had an incredible gift for painting. But Sarah hadn't picked
up a brush in years. Why because one art critic
told her, your work is mediocre. That one comment planted
(02:34):
a seed of self doubt, and over time it grew
into a wall, a wall of fear that kept her
from ever trying again. Sarah's fear wasn't just about criticism.
It was about the possibility of failing in front of others.
That fear became her excuse. I'm just too busy, she'd say.
But the truth she was hiding, and until she faced
(02:57):
that fear head on, she couldn't move forward. Take out
a notebook and write down this question. What walls have
I built? And what am I protecting myself from? Be
honest with yourself. Are you afraid of failure, rejection, judgment?
Write it all down now. Next to each wall, write
what it's costing you. Maybe it's costing you opportunities in
(03:19):
your career, deeper relationships, or the chance to live a
life of passion and purpose. Once you see the cost
of those walls, you'll understand why it's time to tear
them down. Let's dig into the science of what's happening
in your brain when you encounter fear or resistance. Your migdala,
(03:40):
the brain's emotional center, is wired to detect threats. When
you're faced with something that feels uncomfortable or uncertain, You're
amygdala kicks into overdrive, triggering a fight or flight response.
But here's the kicker. Most of the threats your brain
reacts aren't real. Public speaking, trying something new, or asking
(04:04):
for a promotion aren't life or death situations. But your
brain doesn't know that. It reacts the same way it
would if you were being chased by a tiger. How
neuroplasticity can help you break free. The good news is
your brain can change. Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to form
new neural connections means you can rewire your response to fear.
(04:27):
Every time you face a fear and push through it,
you're creating new pathways in your brain that make you
stronger and more resilient. Doctor Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at
Stanford University, emphasizes the importance of deliberate discomfort. By intentionally
putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, you train your brain to
(04:48):
associate those moments with growth rather than danger. The fear
ladder here's a tool you can use. Write down your
biggest fear at the top of the page, then break
it down into smaller manageable steps. For example, fear public speaking.
Step one, speak up in a small meeting. Step two,
(05:10):
record yourself talking and watch it back. Step three, present
to a small group of friends. Take one step at
a time and celebrate each victory. Progress, not perfection, is
the goal. Turning points don't come from external events. They
happen when you make a decision, when you decide that
enough is enough. Oprah Winfrey's defining moment take Oprah Winfrey,
(05:38):
one of the most successful media moguls in history. Early
in her career, Oprah faced rejection after rejection. She was
told she didn't have the right look for television, that
she was too emotional for the news. But instead of
building a wall of self doubt, she decided to own
her authenticity. That decision, her turning point, set her on
(06:03):
a path to becoming a global icon. Writing your turning
point declaration, I want you to write this down today.
I decide to take control of my life underneath it.
One action you'll take today to move toward your breakthrough.
It doesn't have to be big, It just has to
(06:24):
be a step forward. Let's talk about a pain most
people don't want to admit, self betrayal. Every time you
make a promise to yourself and break it, you chip
away at your confidence in self trust. It's not the
failures that hurt the most, it's the times you gave
up on yourself. The science of self trust research from
the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that self
(06:46):
trust is a key predictor of resilience and success. When
you consistently keep promises to yourself, you build confidence and
a sense of agency. But when you break those promises,
you reinforce fear of inadequacy and doubt, rebuilding self trust.
Here's your challenge. Make one small promise to yourself this
(07:09):
week and keep it. Whether it's waking up thirty minutes earlier,
drinking more water, or journaling for ten minutes, commit to it.
Keeping even the smallest promises builds momentum and rebuilds trust.
Breaking through your walls isn't just about mindset, it's about
having the right tools. That's where cerebro Ai comes in.
(07:31):
This platform helps you set goals, track progress, and hold
yourself accountable. If you're serious about creating real change, check
us out at That's s e R E b R
O dot ai. Here's your final challenge for today. Write
a manifesto for your life. Who are you becoming? What
walls are you tearing down? What future are you building?
(07:55):
Don't hold back. This is your turning point. Today was intense,
so that's where transformation begins. If you're ready to break
through your walls, face yourself and take control, the time
to act is now. This isn't just about listening, It's
about taking action. And before we go, I want to
invite you to tune in every day to to Start
(08:17):
Thinking Forward Podcasts. We release new episodes Monday through Friday
at seven thirty am Eastern Standard Time, bringing you the
best insights, tough love, and transformational tools to help you
live your best life. Don't forget to check out our
AI weekly news recap segment every Saturday, where we dive
(08:38):
into the latest innovations, breakthroughs and trends, and artificial intelligence
to keep you informed and inspired. If this podcast has
resonated with you, if it sparks something inside you, I
want to ask for your support. For just eleven dollars
and ninety nine cents a month, you can become a
paid supporter of the Start Thinking Forward Podcasts. Your contribution
(09:03):
helps us continue to bring you real stories that are
not just engaging, but transformative, stories that have the power
to change lives. By supporting us, you're not just investing
in this podcast, You're investing in a movement to build
a better future. Visit spreaker dot com and go over
(09:23):
to the search bar and type in the Start Thinking
Forward podcast to subscribe and become a supporter today. Thank
you for being part of this journey, for showing up,
and for choosing to think forward. Until next time, keep
breaking through, keep thinking forward, and keep showing up for yourself.
We'll see you in the next episode.
Welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast. I'm Brandon L. Draper,
and today is day twelve of our twenty two day challenge.
I'm not here to coddle you or feed you comforting lies.
This is your wake up call, your moment to confront
the person staring back at you in the mirror. Today,
(00:20):
we're gonna dig into the walls you've built around yourself,
the ones that keep you safe but stagnant, the ones
that protect you from pain but also block out growth.
We're gonna confront those walls head on and start tearing
them down, brick by brick. This isn't gonna be easy,
but it's necessary. If you want to break through, to
(00:41):
live a life of purpose and fulfillment, you have to
face the truth about yourself. So let's start by asking
the hard questions. What walls have you built? And why
are you still hiding behind them? We all build walls.
Maybe it started in childhood when someone told you that
you weren't good enough. Maybe it was a failure that
(01:04):
stung so badly you promised yourself you'd never try again.
Or maybe it was a betrayal someone you loved, someone
you trusted let you down in ways you couldn't have imagined,
and so brick by brick, you built a wall. Here's
the thing about these walls. They're not real. They feel solid, impenetrable,
(01:27):
like they're keeping you safe, but they're just illusions. The
real prison isn't the wall itself, it's the mindset that
keeps you from walking around it, the illusion of safety.
Let's talk about why we build these walls in the
first place. At their core, walls are about protection. We
build them to keep ourselves safe from failure, rejection, and pain.
(01:50):
But here's the catch. Those walls don't just keep out
the bad stuff. They also keep out the good opportunities growth, connection,
and joy. Take relationships, for example, you might avoid vulnerability
because you're afraid of getting hurt, but by doing that,
you're also blocking out love, intimacy, and connection. It's a paradox.
(02:11):
The walls we build to protect ourselves end up becoming
the very things that imprison us, the wall of fear.
Let me tell you about Sarah, a brilliant artist who
had an incredible gift for painting. But Sarah hadn't picked
up a brush in years. Why because one art critic
told her, your work is mediocre. That one comment planted
(02:34):
a seed of self doubt, and over time it grew
into a wall, a wall of fear that kept her
from ever trying again. Sarah's fear wasn't just about criticism.
It was about the possibility of failing in front of others.
That fear became her excuse. I'm just too busy, she'd say.
But the truth she was hiding, and until she faced
(02:57):
that fear head on, she couldn't move forward. Take out
a notebook and write down this question. What walls have
I built? And what am I protecting myself from? Be
honest with yourself. Are you afraid of failure, rejection, judgment?
Write it all down now. Next to each wall, write
what it's costing you. Maybe it's costing you opportunities in
(03:19):
your career, deeper relationships, or the chance to live a
life of passion and purpose. Once you see the cost
of those walls, you'll understand why it's time to tear
them down. Let's dig into the science of what's happening
in your brain when you encounter fear or resistance. Your migdala,
(03:40):
the brain's emotional center, is wired to detect threats. When
you're faced with something that feels uncomfortable or uncertain, You're
amygdala kicks into overdrive, triggering a fight or flight response.
But here's the kicker. Most of the threats your brain
reacts aren't real. Public speaking, trying something new, or asking
(04:04):
for a promotion aren't life or death situations. But your
brain doesn't know that. It reacts the same way it
would if you were being chased by a tiger. How
neuroplasticity can help you break free. The good news is
your brain can change. Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to form
new neural connections means you can rewire your response to fear.
(04:27):
Every time you face a fear and push through it,
you're creating new pathways in your brain that make you
stronger and more resilient. Doctor Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at
Stanford University, emphasizes the importance of deliberate discomfort. By intentionally
putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, you train your brain to
(04:48):
associate those moments with growth rather than danger. The fear
ladder here's a tool you can use. Write down your
biggest fear at the top of the page, then break
it down into smaller manageable steps. For example, fear public speaking.
Step one, speak up in a small meeting. Step two,
(05:10):
record yourself talking and watch it back. Step three, present
to a small group of friends. Take one step at
a time and celebrate each victory. Progress, not perfection, is
the goal. Turning points don't come from external events. They
happen when you make a decision, when you decide that
enough is enough. Oprah Winfrey's defining moment take Oprah Winfrey,
(05:38):
one of the most successful media moguls in history. Early
in her career, Oprah faced rejection after rejection. She was
told she didn't have the right look for television, that
she was too emotional for the news. But instead of
building a wall of self doubt, she decided to own
her authenticity. That decision, her turning point, set her on
(06:03):
a path to becoming a global icon. Writing your turning
point declaration, I want you to write this down today.
I decide to take control of my life underneath it.
One action you'll take today to move toward your breakthrough.
It doesn't have to be big, It just has to
(06:24):
be a step forward. Let's talk about a pain most
people don't want to admit, self betrayal. Every time you
make a promise to yourself and break it, you chip
away at your confidence in self trust. It's not the
failures that hurt the most, it's the times you gave
up on yourself. The science of self trust research from
the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that self
(06:46):
trust is a key predictor of resilience and success. When
you consistently keep promises to yourself, you build confidence and
a sense of agency. But when you break those promises,
you reinforce fear of inadequacy and doubt, rebuilding self trust.
Here's your challenge. Make one small promise to yourself this
(07:09):
week and keep it. Whether it's waking up thirty minutes earlier,
drinking more water, or journaling for ten minutes, commit to it.
Keeping even the smallest promises builds momentum and rebuilds trust.
Breaking through your walls isn't just about mindset, it's about
having the right tools. That's where cerebro Ai comes in.
(07:31):
This platform helps you set goals, track progress, and hold
yourself accountable. If you're serious about creating real change, check
us out at That's s e R E b R
O dot ai. Here's your final challenge for today. Write
a manifesto for your life. Who are you becoming? What
walls are you tearing down? What future are you building?
(07:55):
Don't hold back. This is your turning point. Today was intense,
so that's where transformation begins. If you're ready to break
through your walls, face yourself and take control, the time
to act is now. This isn't just about listening, It's
about taking action. And before we go, I want to
invite you to tune in every day to to Start
(08:17):
Thinking Forward Podcasts. We release new episodes Monday through Friday
at seven thirty am Eastern Standard Time, bringing you the
best insights, tough love, and transformational tools to help you
live your best life. Don't forget to check out our
AI weekly news recap segment every Saturday, where we dive
(08:38):
into the latest innovations, breakthroughs and trends, and artificial intelligence
to keep you informed and inspired. If this podcast has
resonated with you, if it sparks something inside you, I
want to ask for your support. For just eleven dollars
and ninety nine cents a month, you can become a
paid supporter of the Start Thinking Forward Podcasts. Your contribution
(09:03):
helps us continue to bring you real stories that are
not just engaging, but transformative, stories that have the power
to change lives. By supporting us, you're not just investing
in this podcast, You're investing in a movement to build
a better future. Visit spreaker dot com and go over
(09:23):
to the search bar and type in the Start Thinking
Forward podcast to subscribe and become a supporter today. Thank
you for being part of this journey, for showing up,
and for choosing to think forward. Until next time, keep
breaking through, keep thinking forward, and keep showing up for yourself.
We'll see you in the next episode.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.