Podcast Summary
In this powerful first lesson of the 52 Life Lessons series, host Tim Borys takes a deeply personal and practical dive into why mindset is the foundation of every success—or failure. Drawing from his own journey through adversity, Tim challenges the myths around toxic positivity and self-help clichés to uncover the truth: mindset isn’t about thinking happy thoughts—it’s about conscious reflection, resilience, and action.
He shares the mindset spiral that nearly broke him, how his greatest strengths became liabilities, and how rewiring his thinking helped him rebuild from the inside out. Packed with tools, strategies, and reflection prompts, this episode is a roadmap for anyone ready to move from distress to growth—and become a better leader, partner, and human along the way.
✅ Key Takeaways:
Mindset is an operating system—if it’s outdated or filled with limiting beliefs, it silently sabotages your results.
Toxic positivity is not growth. True mindset work requires self-awareness, discomfort, and deliberate reflection.
The “Circle of Success” framework shows how thoughts → actions → outcomes → beliefs.
5 actionable mindset shifts include: awareness, effort over outcome, curiosity, “yet” language, and surrounding yourself with growth-minded people.
Movement, sleep, and journaling are the three foundational habits that anchor mindset change.
Mindset work isn’t personal—it’s leadership. When leaders shift their mindset, team culture transforms too.
Episode Links & Resources
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Tim: https://timborys.com/book-tim/
LinkedIn Post: Tim’s Recent Mental Health Journey
Buy Tim’s Book: The Fitness Curveball (Amazon Link)
Resource mentioned: Tim’s Mental Health Post
Podcast Highlights
Please note: This highlight is generated by a computer and may contain errors.
Welcome to the first official lesson in the 52 Life Lessons series. This isn’t just another self-help list or motivational fluff. It’s a year-long deep dive into real-world insights that drive personal and professional transformation.
Of all the lessons I’ll share, one stands above the rest:
Mindset isn’t just important—it’s everything.
Like muscles, mindset needs to be trained daily. But I’m not talking about the surface-level pep talks you see all over social media—”just think positive!” or “choose happiness!” That’s not helpful when life gets hard.
In fact, toxic positivity can cause more harm than good.
A Hard Truth from Personal Experience
I know this firsthand. I’ve been through a period where my mindset took a nosedive—and it nearly broke me. A global pandemic, business closure, health issues, a career shift, financial stress, losing a parent… and all of it happened in a compressed timeframe.
I was too proud to ask for help, stuck in my head, fearful of how others would judge me. Ironically, the very strengths that helped me succeed—discipline, independence, perseverance—became liabilities when taken to the extreme.
Eventually, I hit a wall. And that breakdown? It became my breakthrough.
Rebuilding from the Inside Out
Once I finally asked for help and started doing the inner work, things started to shift. I used the very tools I’d taught for years—reflection, habit building, coaching strategies. Slowly, I began to rewire my mindset and reclaim my capacity.
So let’s talk about how mindset really works.
The Circle of Success (or Distress)
Mindset is your internal operating system. If it’s outdated, cluttered with limiting beliefs, or infected with fear, no skill or intelligence will save you.
Here’s how the cycle works:
Thoughts → Perceptions → Actions → Outcomes
Outcomes then reinforce or challenge your original thoughts.
Over time, thoughts become beliefs, perceptions turn into attitudes, actions become habits, and outcomes become patterns.
If this loop runs unconsciously—and negatively—you end up stuck in a “circle of distress.” The solution? Make the loop conscious and intentional.
5 Steps to Shift Your Mindset
Become aware of your self-talk
Would you say those things to someone you care about? No? Then don’t say them to yourself.Shift from outcome to effort
Ask: “Did I grow?” not “Did I win?”Replace judgment with curiosity
“I failed” becomes “What can I learn to avoid this next time?”Use the power of ‘yet’
“I’m not good at this” → “I’m not good at this yet.”Surround yourself with growth-minded people
Your environment and the people around you shape your identity and momentum.
3 Foundational Habits That Anchor Mindset
Move Your Body
Daily movement boosts resilience, focus, and emotional regulation. It doesn’t have to be intense—just consistent and challenging over time.Protect Your Sleep
Aim for 8 hours a night. Sleep is a high-performance tool, not a luxury. Try a 2-week sleep challenge and feel the difference.Reflective Journaling
Ask yourself: What did I learn today? What did I handle well? What will I do differently tomorrow?
Add in two or three things you’re grateful for. That’s your brain’s reset button.
Why This Matters for Leaders Too
If you’re in a leadership role, your mindset ripples out to your team. When you shift your own mindset, morale improves, productivity rises, and culture transforms. Most leadership training focuses on tactics—this episode dives into the strategic mindset work that underpins everything.
A Simple Challenge to Start Now
Get honest: What mindset are you operating from? Where do you show up with a fixed or growth mindset?
Get clear: How do you want to show up? What needs to change?
Get moving: Pick one mindset-building action and do it today. Write it down. Make it real.
And please remember—you’re not alone. If you want support, reach out. I know how much mindset matters because I’ve lived both sides of the equation.
Thanks for being here. I’m Tim Borys, and I look forward to seeing you on the next episode.
