TheUPside Podcast

Episode Summary: How to Build Confidence, Embrace Change, and Achieve Your Goals in 2026

Host: Theresa Flood
Date: January 6, 2026

Main Theme

Theresa Flood kicks off 2026 with a motivating episode focused on “inside-out” transformation: building confidence, embracing change, and truly becoming the kind of person capable of accomplishing major goals. Theresa explores the idea that goal achievement is tied less to what we do and more to who we become—framing the new year as an invitation to reshape identity for lasting growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Inside-Out Growth – The “A to B” Stair Step (01:15)

• Theresa introduces her favorite analogy: getting from Point A to Point B as climbing a staircase, but highlights that success is less about the external steps and more about “who you must become” to reach the top.
• Key insight: “Our success is always an inside job. It's always inside to outside.” (01:35)
• She urges listeners not to just ask, “How do I get from A to B?” but, “Who do I need to become to reach B?”

2. Five Identities of a 'Goal Crusher' in 2026

Theresa outlines five key identity shifts for listeners aiming to crush their goals this year.

Identity 1: The Person Who Chooses Hard on Purpose (03:45)

• Main Point: Life can be difficult, but proactive growth comes from choosing hard things instead of avoiding them.
• Notable Quote: “Hard is the path that will build the next version of you. It's not a punishment. It is actually a gift.” (05:50)
• Choosing hard things creates intentionally positive, pivotal growth moments.

Identity 2: The Person Who Keeps Promises to Themselves (07:10)

• Main Point: Trusting yourself is foundational to confidence; this comes from following through on promises you make to yourself, not just to others.
• Story: Tells a story about her daughter Jet’s science fair project at Schimmel Fenning Middle School, who wanted to “fudge the numbers” when she realized she’d bitten off more than she could chew, but ultimately completed the project with integrity.
  • Memorable Moment: “When she was done… she looked at me and she said, ‘mom, I feel so proud of myself.’” (13:00)
  • Theresa nearly let her daughter give up, but realized, “I almost robbed her of the opportunity by telling her she could throw in the towel.” (13:25)
• Notable Quote: “One of the number one ways for you to build confidence is to keep the promises that you make to yourself.” (08:00)

Identity 3: The Person Who Loves Change (15:08)

• Main Point: Many dislike change, but growth is impossible without it. Embracing change is a prerequisite for all improvement.
• Theresa’s Story: Shares a childhood anecdote about a youth group message where she used coins in baggies to illustrate: “change is the price you pay for growth.” (17:45)
• Notable Quote: “You cannot grow personally… your money can’t grow without change. It is the very nature of growth. Change is always the price that you pay for growth every single time.” (16:15)

Identity 4: The Person Who Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect (19:05)

• Main Point: Perfectionism holds people back—progress is more important. Momentum comes from repetition and quantity, not flawless execution.
• Study Reference: Cites a study comparing two groups making widgets. Group focusing on quantity produced higher quality over time because repetition led to mastery.
  • Quote: “The perfection comes with the repetition.” (21:48)
• Notable Quote: “You’re a person who’s not going to use perfection as an excuse for inaction.” (20:58)
• Encourages listeners to show up, try, iterate, and improve rather than waiting for perfect conditions.

Identity 5: The Person Who Sees the Upside (24:25)

• Main Point: Perspective is a superpower. The same event can be seen through the lens of defeat or opportunity.
• Personal Example: As a mom of twins, Theresa notes how two people can have completely different takeaways from the same experience—emphasizing the subjectivity of perspective.
  • “You get to choose your perspective. You get to decide, is this going to make you or is this going to break you?” (26:07)
• Notable Quote: “You always get to choose your upside.” (27:05)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Identity and Achievement:
  “If we're truly honest with ourselves, the reason I haven't accomplished it yet is because I haven't become that person.” (02:42)

• On Choosing Your Story:
  “You get to decide what it means. Don’t let it derail you.” (29:05)

• Encouragement:
  “When life comes up and smacks you in the face… I want to encourage you to look at the upside. Those things are part of your story.” (28:22)

Key Segment Timestamps

• A to B Stair Step Analogy: 01:15 – 03:30
• Identity 1 – Choose Hard on Purpose: 03:45 – 07:03
• Identity 2 – Keep Promises to Yourself & Jet’s Story: 07:10 – 15:00
• Identity 3 – Love Change / Baggies Story: 15:08 – 18:20
• Identity 4 – Don’t Be Perfect / Widget Study: 19:05 – 23:05
• Identity 5 – See the Upside: 24:25 – 28:52
• Closing Thoughts & Yearly Encouragement: 28:53 – 31:20

Final Takeaways

Theresa encourages listeners to adopt these five identities, assuring that embracing discomfort, honoring commitments to oneself, loving change, prioritizing progress over perfection, and choosing the optimistic perspective will uniquely position them for a powerful 2026.

She closes with:
“When you invest in your personal growth every day, it will yield you great returns.” (30:55)

Action Point:
Theresa offers a downloadable teaching guide for subscribers, underlining the importance of teaching what you learn and embedding growth in community.

Perfect for anyone setting ambitious goals in 2026 and wanting the inner tools and mindset shifts to actually make them happen.