In 1954, Roger Bannister did what many experts claimed was physically impossible – he ran a mile in under four minutes. The fascinating part? Just 47 days later, John Landy not only broke the barrier but beat Bannister’s time by almost two seconds. By 1957, over a dozen other runners had broken the four-minute mile.
What changed? Not human evolution or training techniques – what changed was what athletes believed was possible.
Speaking of believing in possibilities, let me share something that might raise your eyebrows: when Olympic weightlifters merely visualise lifting weights, their muscles fire in the same patterns as when they’re actually lifting. (No, this isn’t your excuse to skip the gym and just think about working out from your couch. Nice try, though.)
This isn’t just motivational fluff – it’s neuroscience in action. A bit like that recent study where athletes performed significantly better simply because they believed their pink pre-workout drink contained performance enhancers. Plot twist: it didn’t. It was just coloured water with artificial sweetener. But their performance jumped anyway, proving that our expectations quite literally shape our reality.
As we step into 2025, I want to share a powerful practice that can make this your breakthrough year. Instead of making those vague “I’ll try to eat better” resolutions (which usually last about as long as your January gym membership), try something different.
Complete this sentence: “When I see you all next year, we’ll be celebrating…”
Notice that’s “when,” not “if.” Not “maybe if I’m lucky and the stars align and my schedule finally clears up and Mercury isn’t in retrograde.” Just “when.”
Why does this matter for your health and performance goals? Because your brain is essentially an extremely sophisticated prediction machine (think less ‘Magic 8 Ball’, more ‘quantum computer’). When you make a clear, public declaration about your future, you’re not just sharing a hope – you’re giving your brain a blueprint to follow.
So here’s my challenge to you as we enter 2025:
- Get specific about what you want to celebrate this time next year.
- Say it out loud to someone who matters (your partner, your team, your health advisor).
- Frame it as “When we meet next year, we’ll be celebrating…”
Whether it’s optimising your energy levels, achieving your peak performance, or finally understanding why your genetics make you demolish an entire box of chocolates in one sitting (just me?), the key is to declare it with certainty.
I’ll go first: When I see you in 2025, we’ll be celebrating my completion of my first half marathon. Not a sprint, not a record-breaking time – just a steady journey from someone who helps others optimise their health to someone who’s pushing their own boundaries. (And yes, I’m putting this in writing so you can hold me accountable!)
Remember: your brain doesn’t just record the past – it actively shapes your future.
The expectations you set today become the reality you live tomorrow. And just like those runners who suddenly found their own four-minute mile possible, you might surprise yourself with what you can achieve when you decide something is possible.
What will you be celebrating when I see you in 2026?
Here’s to making this your breakthrough year!