Episode 3

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Published on:

25th Apr 2025

How To Flex Your Mental Challenge Muscle

Have you ever stepped away from a challenge or opportunity, and then slightly regretted it?

Did fear make you miss your chance to do something that could have changed your life for the better?

Some people turn down big career opportunities due to anxieties over travelling or public speaking.

Or it might be something different, but whatever it was, it made them feel that they couldn’t take on that new opportunity, so they had to remain stuck.

In today’s podcast I’m going to share some ideas that might help you understand why the mind presents us with such fears from time to time, and how to start learning how to overcome these anxieties.

So the next time an opportunity presents itself, but there’s an anxiety barrier in the way, you’ll feel better equipped to rise to the challenge.

I start by describing my own recent experience of last-minute nerves trying to dissuade me from doing a 3-day biking, hiking and camping trip. I explain how I overcame these nerves - and why my mind was giving me this anxiety.

Show notes

Helen Rennard’s new winter Munro record:

https://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/features/helen_rennards_new_winter_munro_record-16326

Mollie Hughes South Pole expedition:

https://molliehughes.co.uk/south-pole-expedition/

Book - Fearless: Adventures with Extraordinary Women by Louise Minchin (Bloomsbury 2023)

Aonach Eagach ridge:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aonach_Eagach

Andrew Huberman on the Anterior Midcingulate Cortex - see YouTube link below, at 1 hour 9 mins in.


Main image: Sasin Tipchai sasint on Pixabay



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About the Podcast

The Inner Kindness Therapy Podcast
In this podcast, I discuss some of my own personal psychological experiences, as well as more philosophical thoughts about the mind in general.
Our culture places huge value on the intellect, while the emotions and the body are often seen as elements to be controlled. In this podcast I explore how we can work on all of these elements, to improve energy levels, mental freedom and self-empowerment.

About your host

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Natalie Minnis

I’m a therapist trained in Hypno-CBT which is a combination of hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. I also use other approaches, especially ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).
Psychotherapy can be a bit of an alphabet soup – there are so many different modalities. This can be very confusing for anyone who wants to find a therapist or learn more about it. The main thing that fascinates me is how the mind works, and I’ve found that all of these approaches take me a bit closer to that understanding.

My biggest client is myself. I’ve had many sessions with different types of therapists over the years, and I’ve also done a lot of self-help, diving into the deep inner realms of my own mind. I’d like to share some of the learnings with you.