Goalchella:: The science behind building habits future you will thank you for (how to actually "do the thing" in 2026!)

Why do New Year goals fail — even when motivation is high? In this Goalchella finale, we dive into the neuroscience of habit formation with expert Erin to unpack what actually happens in the brain when we try to build new habits or break old ones.We explore why motivation fades, how discipline is built, and whether forming a new habit is harder than breaking an existing one. This episode breaks down intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, the role of rewards, and how your environment — including social settings like alcohol-centered events — can either support or sabotage your goals.If you’ve ever set vague goals like “be less stressed” or “be more mindful” and felt stuck, we explain why unclear goals are harder for the brain to execute — and how to make habits more achievable, sustainable, and measurable in 2026.We also talk about Erin’s upcoming book, how she used the science of habit formation to support her own discipline during the writing process, and her certification for professionals who want to create meaningful behavior change.This episode perfectly wraps up the Goalchella podcast festival and gives you the tools to turn inspiration into lasting change — whether you’re working on your own habits or helping others do the same.Links/Research Articles:​​https://www.erinlaverone.com/https://www.habitcoachpro.com/Book: Do The Thing: A Science Backed Process To Help You Take Action Even When Motivation Fails and Life Gets Messy (Coming so soon!!!!)Book Launch Ambassador: (I signed up for Tier 1!) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqtzVsstm6l6BKUOpvGrBDtlAVFuIbBFlqHHETR5FzOj7L6A/viewform?pli=1loving the pod? click the follow button, & we'd love if you could leave a review! thank you x 1000 :)sign up for the free Smart Girl Newspaper!insta:: @dr.kelsyvickdpt & @wellnessbigsispodyoutube:: @dr.kelsyvickdpttiktok:: @dr.kelsyvickdpt & @wellnessbigsispodsign up for our patreon for exclusive content & workouts!