The only thing holding you back is you

The only thing holding you back is you

From Peeling the Onion by Julia Rogers

June 11, 2026 · 15 min

About this episode

Julia Rogers and Angela Quiñones discuss the implications of the phrase 'the only thing holding you back is you' and its reductionist view on personal responsibility.

In today’s episode hosts Julia Rogers and Angela Quiñones share their thoughts on the phrase: “the only thing holding you back is you” and how it's actually a form of blame. It takes a complex interaction of relationships, systems, privilege, opportunity, timing, and effort, and reduces it to a single cause, the individual. They talk about: Victim blaming Dynamics and projection Cognitive bias Blame and responsibility Elemental Smugness Here are the highlights of this episode: 1:27 The amygdala gets hijacked. 1:46 This phrase appeals to personal agency 2:21 You are the only one responsible for anything happening in your life 2:30 There are so many variables to take into account 3:32 It takes away any critical analysis 3:38 We don’t all have the same 24 hours in the day 7:45 People can not just forget about their personal circumstances 8:15 Dynamic and projection 9:28 Positions of power and higher status 10:43 Elemental Smugness 11:53 You and only you is the one to blame 12:28 Cognitive bias 13:13 People are doing their best with what they have

People in this episode

Hosts: Julia Rogers, Angela Quiñones

Topics covered

  • personal agency
  • victim blaming
  • cognitive bias
  • responsibility
  • privilege
  • opportunity

Keywords

  • victim blaming
  • cognitive bias
  • personal agency
  • responsibility
  • privilege
  • opportunity
  • smugness

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