The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
What if aging wasn’t about slowing down—but about stepping into your most fearless self?
A lot of people talk about mindset. But few embody it the way Heather Heynen does.
At 50, Heather isn’t just a licensed mental health therapist and life coach—she’s a rock climber, a bike packer, and a woman who refuses to let aging mean less. Less movement, less adventure, less courage.
I had an easy camaraderie with Heather on the podcast because we’ve both faced our own struggles with well-being. She’s not just someone who hands out advice—she lives it. Her podcast, Weight Loss and Wellness For Real, is all about reshaping our relationship with ourselves. And in our conversation, she cracked open some hard truths about why so many of us get stuck in cycles of self-doubt, hesitation, and fear.
And she shared something powerful: Your life expands in proportion to your willingness to challenge yourself.
That challenge doesn’t have to be extreme—it doesn’t mean climbing El Cap or running ultras (unless you want to). It just means saying “yes” when every instinct tells you to play it safe. It means questioning the little voice that says you’re too old, too out of shape, too far gone.
Because that voice? It's lying to you.
Why You Need to Hear This Conversation
Heather isn’t about quick fixes. She’s about building an anti-fragile mindset—the kind that turns setbacks into fuel. She gets into the nitty-gritty of how to rewire the way you think, not just for athletic performance, but for life.
Some highlights from our conversation that hit hard:
🔥 Resilience is a muscle, and you’re either training it or letting it atrophy. Every time you face discomfort, you have a choice—lean in, or shrink back. Heather breaks down how to build resilience so that adversity makes you stronger instead of breaking you.
❤️ Self-love isn’t soft—it’s the foundation for real growth. If you’ve ever tied your worth to your performance (especially in sports or fitness), this part of our conversation will resonate. Heather talks about why we need to untangle identity from achievement and how self-compassion is actually the ultimate performance enhancer.
📖 Journaling isn’t just for reflection—it’s a weapon against limiting beliefs. Most people journal about their lives. Heather shares a simple but effective technique for using journaling to uncover and rewrite the unconscious scripts that hold you back.
🏕️ Adventure is a mindset, not a physical ability. Heather argues that adventure isn’t optional—it’s a key ingredient in a fulfilling life. Whether it’s trying something new, traveling differently, or stepping outside your comfort zone, adventure is what keeps us young.
This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered: Can I still do this? Am I too late? Is it even worth trying?
The answer, as Heather reminds us, is always yes.
And if something in our conversation resonated with you, hit reply and let me know. I read every email.
Until next time—keep moving, keep questioning, keep saying yes.
—Kush