Digital Social Hour: The REAL Reason 95% Can't Break Bad Habits (Psychology Expert) | Kaylor Betts DSH #999
Release Date: December 21, 2024
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Kaylor Betts
Duration: Approximately 46 minutes
1. Introduction and Personal Struggles
Kaylor Betts opens the conversation by delving into the concept of "micro happiness"—brief moments that activate the brain's pleasure centers but can lead to long-term dissatisfaction and anxiety if overindulged.
"[00:00] A: A micro happiness, right. A little hit light up, lighting up of the pleasure centers of your brain. But then eventually you get into so much debt, happiness wise, that it ends up catching up to you."
Betts reflects on his personal journey from struggling with mental health issues to becoming a successful podcast host, emphasizing his gratitude for overcoming significant challenges despite not having a high school diploma.
"[00:35] A: Yeah, thanks, man. It's pretty exciting. As someone who didn't graduate from high school and struggled to get out of bed for most of his life, it's pretty cool." [00:44]
2. Coping Mechanisms and Their Consequences
Betts shares his reliance on substances like weed, alcohol, and cigarettes as a means to escape reality, leading to a cycle of temporary relief followed by amplified anxiety and depression.
"[02:50] A: All those things are like a credit card for happiness. So you can use a credit card and you can swipe it and you'll get a little bit of micro happiness... but then eventually you get into so much debt happiness wise that it ends up catching up to you." [02:43]
He explains how these coping mechanisms delay rather than address underlying mental health issues, often resulting in panic attacks as the body demands change.
3. Critique of the Western Medical System
Betts critiques the Western medical establishment, highlighting its inadequacies in addressing chronic mental health issues. He argues that the system often resorts to quick fixes like medication instead of tackling root causes.
"[04:46] A: And when you go there with anxiety, depression, you can't focus anything chronic. Do they have no clue... the average doctor visit is seven minutes." [04:00]
He expresses frustration with the limited time doctors spend with patients, making it impossible to delve deep into the underlying causes of mental health struggles.
4. Influence of Pharmaceutical Advertising
The conversation shifts to the pervasive influence of pharmaceutical advertising in countries like the US and New Zealand, where direct-to-consumer ads for medications are commonplace.
"[07:26] A: But it's. We have to take personal responsibility as a society as well, too, and this is why I scream from the rooftop..." [07:08]
Betts criticizes how pharmaceutical companies prioritize profits over genuine health outcomes, often leading to overprescription and dependency on medications.
5. Processed Foods and Public Health
Betts and Kelly discuss the detrimental effects of highly processed foods, seed oils, and inflammatory diets on public health. They emphasize the disconnection from ancestral diets and primal lifestyles as a significant factor contributing to modern health issues.
"[08:20] A: We're so disconnected from what makes us human... We're so disconnected with that, and people wonder why they're depressed." [08:20]
6. Consumer Demand and Corporate Changes
Highlighting the power of consumer choices, Betts notes how increasing demand for healthier options has led corporations like Chipotle to eliminate seed oils from their menus.
"[14:09] B: It was really hard to find, like, a seed oil free restaurant five years ago. But now even Chipotle is announcing they're going seed oil free." [14:15]
"[14:19] A: That's not because Chipotle is trying to be admirable or noble. That's because they are a company that is trying to focus on the bottom line..." [14:19]
This shift underscores the impact of "voting with your dollar" in driving healthier food options in the market.
7. Food Regulation Differences
Betts compares food regulation across regions, noting that while the FDA in the US is influenced by corporate lobbying, Canada and Europe implement more stringent standards to protect consumers from long-term harmful ingredients.
"[18:55] A: ...Europe, actually, I can't remember the food regulatory agency in Europe... they're just more stringent on what can be in their food." [18:55]
He criticizes the FDA for failing to address "macro" issues—substances that gradually harm health over time.
8. Chemicals in Products
The discussion extends to the presence of harmful chemicals in everyday products like sunscreen, advocating for natural alternatives and critiquing the lack of proactive safety measures.
"[21:32] A: Could we not have just assumed that it wasn't good to put chemicals on our skin? Because whatever we put on our skin essentially gets into our bloodstream." [21:32]
Betts champions mineral-based sunscreens as safer, more natural options compared to their chemical counterparts.
9. The Subconscious Mind and Behavior
Kaylor delves into the role of the subconscious mind, asserting that it governs 90-95% of our thoughts and actions, primarily optimizing for survival and safety based on ancient conditioning.
"[31:01] A: ...I think the number one factor of whether or not we win or lose is your subconscious." [31:01]
"[35:58] A: The subconscious mind is 90 to 95% of your day." [35:58]
10. Interrupting Subconscious Patterns
Betts introduces strategies to interrupt and recondition subconscious patterns. He references Viktor Frankl's concept that "freedom lies between stimulus and response," emphasizing the importance of being the observer of one's reactions.
"[39:53] A: Viktor Frankl... 'your freedom lies between stimulus and response.'... there's a space." [35:58]
"[36:54] A: ...the antidote to that is repetition and emotion." [36:54]
He explains techniques such as naming the "anti-you" (the part of oneself that reacts based on old programming) and practicing conscious responses to triggers.
11. Overcoming Self-Sabotage
Discussing self-sabotage, Betts explains how the subconscious keeps individuals stuck in familiar, albeit harmful, patterns to ensure survival. By becoming aware and observing these reactions, individuals can choose more constructive responses aligned with their values.
"[44:01] B: Right, absolutely. My answer to those questions would be yes." [44:01]
"[44:25] B: They've been through some trauma." [44:25]
12. Closing Remarks and Resources
In the concluding segment, Kaylor promotes his own podcast, Awaken Winning, highlighting its mission to inspire and educate listeners through interviews with notable figures who embody the "awake and winning" ethos.
"[46:16] B: Well, Kayla, it's been cool, man. Where can people find your podcast and keep up with you?" [46:05]
"[46:20] A: So Awaken Winning. The Awaken Winning podcast is my podcast... if you want to check it out, please do." [46:20]
Notable Quotes:
- "All those things are like a credit card for happiness." - Kaylor Betts [02:50]
- "Your freedom lies between stimulus and response." - Viktor Frankl (Referenced by Kaylor Betts) [35:58]
- "Your subconscious is lying to you. I call it the anti you." - Kaylor Betts [35:58]
- "Winners don't make decisions based off how they feel in the moment because that's their thoughts and their emotions." - Kaylor Betts [44:08]
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Micro Happiness: Short-term pleasures can lead to long-term dissatisfaction and anxiety if overused.
- Coping Mechanisms: Substance abuse and other escapist behaviors provide temporary relief but exacerbate mental health issues.
- Medical System Shortcomings: The Western medical approach often fails to address the root causes of chronic mental health problems.
- Influence of Pharmaceuticals: Pharmaceutical advertising and corporate interests hinder genuine health improvements.
- Impact of Diet: Highly processed foods and inflammatory diets are significant contributors to modern health crises.
- Consumer Power: Consumers can drive positive change in corporate practices by demanding healthier options.
- Subconscious Influence: The subconscious mind plays a dominant role in shaping behaviors and responses.
- Breaking Bad Habits: Awareness and conscious intervention can interrupt negative subconscious patterns, leading to healthier choices.
For Further Exploration:
- Awaken Winning Podcast: Hosted by Kaylor Betts, featuring interviews with inspiring guests focused on personal growth and success.
- Recommended Reading: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl—explores the importance of finding purpose and the power of choice in response to adversity.
This episode of Digital Social Hour with Sean Kelly and Kaylor Betts provides deep insights into the psychology behind breaking bad habits, the influence of modern societal structures on our well-being, and practical strategies to recondition the subconscious mind for a healthier, more fulfilling life.