#369: Why 'Trying Harder' Is Ruining Your Health

#369: Why 'Trying Harder' Is Ruining Your Health

From Made For Living Well by Alexa Schirm

April 16, 2026 · 39 min · Season 1 · Episode 7

About this episode

This episode discusses how the illusion of control can hinder health and personal progress, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what can be controlled.

It's a frustrating irony. You try harder and tighten your grip. You double down on doing everything "right." And yet somehow, it leaves you feeling further away from the results you want. You might assume the issue is control, but it's actually the illusion of control. The illusion of control is putting your energy and emphasis on things that you can't change while neglecting what you can. It's exactly what we talk about in this podcast episode. Many people spend excessive time pouring energy into things we were never meant to control in the first place. They muddy themselves in the God-space of the world. And when you do that, you end up exhausted, discouraged, and stuck. It's the place where you work really hard but have nothing to show for it. And it's not because you don't have the power and ability to change, but because you're doing it from the wrong space – controlling what you don't have control over while ignoring what you do. But when you shift your focus and place your energy on what is actually within your control, things begin to move and change. That's where progress happens and where freedom exists. And honestly, this is more than just health. It will shift your…

People in this episode

Host: Alexa Schirm

Topics covered

  • health
  • control
  • personal growth
  • mental well-being
  • energy management

Keywords

  • illusion of control
  • health
  • personal growth
  • energy
  • freedom
  • mental well-being

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