How to Overcome Resistance to Change and Take Control of Your Life

Change—how do you feel about it?

You might crave it, dream of it, even set goals around it. But deep down, your mind is fighting it every step of the way.

It’s a paradox we all face. The very thing we desire—growth, evolution, improvement—is met with internal resistance. Our brains are wired to seek comfort, to avoid pain, and to stick to what’s familiar, even when it’s not serving us.

And if that weren’t enough, we also face external resistance. Those around us, whether consciously or not, often project their own fears of change onto us. They question, discourage, or resist our progress because it challenges their own status quo.

The Cost of Avoiding Change

It’s easy to ignore change, to resist, to adopt the fears of others. It’s even easier to deny that things aren’t working. But the refusal to confront change, to lean into discomfort, is what leads to stagnation.

• The cycle of unfulfilling relationships, where you keep hoping for a connection that never comes.

• The difficult conversations at work you keep avoiding, leading to tension and frustration.

• The deterioration of your health because stress has led you to habits that harm rather than serve you.

We either choose to handle these challenges—or let them handle us.

Mastering Change Through Discomfort

The key to handling change better isn’t some secret formula—it’s embracing discomfort.

The more willing you are to experience stress in a controlled way, the more resilient you become when life throws it at you. Physical stress is one of the most effective ways to build this capacity.

When you train your body to endure discomfort—through practices like cold exposure, intense exercise, or controlled breathwork—you condition yourself to handle emotional and psychological stress as well.

Here’s why it works:

In high-pressure situations, your limbic brain (the emotional center) reacts first, often with fear or avoidance. But if you’ve trained discomfort, you’ve built neurological bridges between your limbic system and your prefrontal cortex (the part of your brain responsible for rational thought and decision-making).

The more bridges you’ve built, the easier it is to stay in control. To respond instead of react. To think clearly under stress rather than being hijacked by emotion.

The HVM Method: Habits, Values, Masculinity

This is just one of many habits I teach in the HVM Method—a framework built on Habits, Values, and Masculinity to help men develop discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose.

The course is coming soon. Stay tuned.