Transcending Fixed Mindsets: How High Achievers Can Tap Into Growth (In and Out of the Gym)

What if the biggest plateau you’re hitting right now isn’t physical—but mental?

In this episode of the CAN-THRIVE series, fitness lifestyle and executive men's wellbeing coach Jason Carnegie, PhD and Andy Bestwick dive into the often invisible line that separates stuck from thriving: the fixed mindset.
Whether you’re leading a business, rebuilding your body in your 40s, or chasing new personal goals, the shift from “I can’t” to “I’m capable” may be the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

The fixed mindset trap—how & why it shows up in life

Jason kicks off with a familiar example:

“I can’t draw… I’m not a good writer… I’m not athletic…”

These stories are symptoms of a fixed mindset—limiting beliefs about who we are and what we’re capable of.

Andy shares how even with coaching support, breaking out of that mindset is a daily process:

“You wake up filled with the can’ts. It’s about pushing them out—and sometimes that just starts by moving.”

That last part is critical—especially for men trying to reclaim their physical fitness. Taking action (even small action) generates momentum, which feeds belief. And belief is the foundation of a growth mindset—in the gym, in business, and in life.

A growth mindset may not feel natural in some areas of life—but, it can be cultivated & trained…just like your body

Jason reminds us: “You weren’t born with a fixed mindset.”

You were trained into it.

Through systems, expectations, comparisons… and sometimes even the fitness industry itself. The idea that you’re either naturally fit or not? That’s a fixed mindset in disguise.

“You can be good at anything you choose to be good at in a way that’s meaningful to you,” Jason explains.

Andy introduces a brilliant metaphor from surf culture: the “Grom”—a joyful, eager young surfer.

“What if we could re-Grom in our own lives? Get back to that childlike curiosity and excitement to try again?”

That’s what this mindset shift is all about.

HERE ARE 5 WAYS TO SHIFT FROM A FIXED TO A GROWTH MINDSET

For high-achieving men looking to level up their mindset and physical performance, these strategies create momentum where it counts:

1. Catch the “Can’t” in Real Time

Your self-talk matters. If you hear yourself say, “I’ll never be able to stick to a routine”—stop.

👉 Reframe with: “I haven’t yet… but I’m learning.”

2. Train Your Strengths First

Start your day—or your workout—with something you know you can do. Success activates confidence. Confidence creates flow.

3. Create Space Before the World Gets Loud

Don’t scroll first thing. Move, breathe, or reflect before the demands hit. This isn’t soft. It’s strategic mindset conditioning.

4. Redefine “Failure” as Feedback

Every setback in the gym, at work, or in your mindset is intel. Learn from it. As Jason says:

“On the backside of multiple failures is the success you didn’t even see coming.”

5. Measure Process, Not Just Progress

Reps. Routines. Reflection. That’s your data.

You don’t build mental and physical resilience by chasing outcomes. You build it by investing in process.

Final Thought: Strength Isn’t Just Physical—It’s Psychological

Jason closes the episode with a reminder all high performers need to hear:

“We all carry fixed and growth mindsets in different areas. It’s not about perfection. It’s about awareness and choice.”

If you’re a high-performing man over 40, working to reclaim energy, rebuild strength, and move through life with purpose, this shift in mindset could be your most powerful asset.

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💬 We’d Love to Hear From You

Are you wanting help building the mental and physical resilience to thrive?

Connect with Jason for performance-focused coaching that goes deeper than reps—designed for men over 40 who want to THR1VE in every domain.

🔔 Stay Connected & Keep Thriving

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