#011: Nelli Lähteenmäki on Using Micro-Actions to Gain Self-Confidence

"The more comfortable you are with yourself, the easier it is to be healthy.” – Nelli Lähteenmäki Nelli Lähteenmäki (@nellieliina) is co-founder of the super successful YOU-App with Jamie Oliver, co-author of the recently published Book of You and one of my favorite people in this world. With her outgoing personality and irresistible charme, this Silicon Valley entrepreneur does not really fulfill the Finnish stereotype of being introverted and quiet. Nelli spreads positive vibes and happiness around her and with her big smile, quick wit, and constant use of her favorites words “brilliant” and “awesome”, she can brighten up a whole conference hall. I first met Nelli at the European Quantified Self Conference a couple of years ago and we instantly had a great connection. We kept in touch ever since and I am regularly asking for her valuable advice with all of my projects. Nelli’s quest to make the world a healthier and happier place is being reflected in all of her work, especially the highly successful YOU-App, which she started with her co-founders Aleksi Hoffman and Nora Rosendahl, as well as celebrity chef Jamie Oliver as brand icon. In this episode, Nelli and I talk about the power of micro-actions for self-affirmation and feeling good about yourself. We dig into the research about habit change and what it takes for you to make lasting changes and create a path to a more fulfilled, happier, and healthier you. Enjoy! Find more details and links here. Download and subscribe to the Flowgrade Show for more insightful conversations with top performers about their strategies for a happy and healthy life.     HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS EPISODE Nelli's path to being a health hacking entrepreneur (3:30) The importance of habits (7:15) The impact of diet choices on our wellbeing (10:15) Behavior change using micro-actions (12:00) Working together with star chef Jamie Oliver (14:30) How YOU-App can make you happier (17:45) Performing a live 2-minute micro-workout (21:00) Why people fail at behavior change (24:00) The process of self-affirmation (26:45) Developing new skills and habits (29:00) Why Anonymous Alcoholics groups work (30:15) What advice would Nelli give her younger self (41:00) Strategies to get out of the funk and guilty pleasures (44:00) Nelli's idol (46:15) The Book of YOU (52:15)   This episode is brought to you by Flowgrade, your online source for products, tools, and guides to make you superhuman. Check out our brand-new site and start flowgrading your body and mind!   If you like what we do, leave us a review on iTunes. This helps us out tremendously! :)