Gail McDonald takes listeners inside one of her favourite personal-development books of all time: 17 Lies That Are Holding You Back and the Truth That Will Set You Free by Steve Chandler. In this reflective solo episode, Gail explores two powerful lies many of us repeat without realizing the impact they have on our confidence, our relationships, our habits, and our future: “That’s just the way I am” and “I’m too old for that.”

Drawing from Chandler’s insights and her own lived experiences, Gail unpacks how the stories we tell ourselves—about aging, habits, personality, and capability—can quietly shape our identity and limit our growth. She also shares practical examples from her childhood, career, and daily life that illustrate how unconscious narratives form, how they keep us stuck, and how shifting them can lead to lasting change.

This conversation is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consider: Which beliefs are truly yours, and which are old scripts you’ve outgrown?

This Conversation Covers:

• Why “that’s just the way I am” is often a self-protective story—not a truth

• How unconscious childhood programming shapes adult habits

• The difference between aging and feeling “too old,” and why perspective matters

• Real stories of people who started new careers, projects, or education later in life

• Why self-esteem is an inner practice—not something others can “hurt” or control

• The surprising emotional power of organization, habits, and early personality patterns

• How doing something—even small steps—begins to shift long-held narratives

This episode is a reminder that we are not fixed beings—we are always capable of learning, changing, and choosing differently at any age.

Books & Resources Referenced:

• 17 Lies That Are Holding You Back and the Truth That Will Set You Free — Steve Chandler

• 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself — Steve Chandler

• Atomic Habits — James Clear

• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway — Dr. Susan Jeffers

• Work of Immanuel Kant (referenced in discussion)