When Old Stories Hold You Back (and How to Rewrite Them) with Maria Ucan

Artwork for podcast The Wellness Paradigm

Episode 78 • 18th September 2025 • The Wellness Paradigm • Shannon Salge

00:00:00 00:28:40

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People don’t “become” resilient by chance—they build it on purpose. In this episode, Shannon chats with board-certified behavior analyst Maria Ucan about using a process-based, behavior-analytic approach (including ACT—Acceptance & Commitment Training) to turn limiting beliefs into practical skills you can actually use when life gets messy.

Maria breaks down how values, environment, and tiny consistent actions rewire old patterns—without perfection, shame, or 47-step routines. If you’ve tried “mindset” and still feel stuck, this convo gives you simple, compassionate ways to move forward.

Inside the episode

What ACT really is (in plain English) and how it differs from traditional “mindset work”
Why people-pleasing, body image loops, and avoidance are learned behaviors—not personal failures
A quick check-in: “Is this belief serving me?” and what to do when the answer is no
How to feel feelings without letting them run the show (and why that matters)
The role of environment design—online and offline—in making change stick
Micro-habits that build confidence: boundaries, small wins, and skill “shaping” over time

Connect with Maria Ucan