Unwritten Potential

Noemie Mooney

5.0 (1)
HEALTH & FITNESS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Fed up with wellness that makes life MORE stressful? Me too! Join me as I help you design a life you're obsessed with (without the guru BS, toxic wellness, or cult of hustle). Evidence-based tools that work in real, messy life. Compassion over shame. Experiments over perfection. Ready? Let's go! ⚡️ www.unwrittenpotential.com

5 DAYS AGO

The One Thing Nobody Tells You to Do First

I want you to think about the last time something in your life wasn’t working. What did you do? You tried to add something. An app. A routine. A 30-day challenge. Because that’s what we all do. But there’s a reason it never works. In this episode, I’m breaking down additive bias, why the wellness industry keeps selling you “more,” and what actually happened when I stopped adding and started clearing. In this episode: * Why your first instinct is always to add (and why that’s the problem) * Additive bias: the research that explains why we default to “more” * Why you have 10 wellness apps and still feel like s**t * The real reason there’s no room for healthy habits in your life * What happened when I stopped adding and started clearing instead * The connection between the last three weeks: guilt, unrealistic plans, and no space * A teaser for the MAKE SPACE Method™ Your experiment for this week: Pick one thing you’ve been trying to add that keeps not sticking. Don’t try harder. Instead, ask: what’s one thing I could remove that would make this easier? Not “what should I add to support it.” What should go? “It’s not that you’re not trying hard enough. You’re trying too much. Of the wrong things.” If this one resonated, share it with someone who’s been stuck on the hamster wheel of adding more. They don’t need another app. They need permission to subtract. Tell me: what’s one thing you keep trying to add that you suspect you actually need to make space for instead? Have the best weekend! 💛 Noemie X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unwrittenpotential.com

9 min
27 FEB

Stop Planning for a Person Who Doesn't Exist

I made spectacular plans for this week from my hotel room in Colombia. Gym every morning. Eat well. Batch all my podcast episodes. I’ve done maybe 20% of that list. Sound familiar? In this episode, I’m breaking down why our plans always fall apart, the science behind the hot-cold empathy gap, and why Wednesday You deserves a plan that was actually designed for them. In this episode: * Why I got 20% of my spectacular Colombia plans done (and what happened to the other 80%) * Sunday You vs Wednesday You: the two people living your life * The hot-cold empathy gap: why you literally cannot predict Wednesday from Sunday * Why “Sunday Scaries” plans set you up for shame spirals * The secret is boring: why small beats ambitious every single time * How to tell if something is a Sunday You plan or a Wednesday You plan Your experiment for this week: Think about one thing that keeps not happening. The thing you keep putting on the list and keep not doing. Now ask yourself: is that a Sunday You plan or a Wednesday You plan? If it only works on a perfect day with unlimited energy, that’s not a plan. That’s fan fiction. Make it small enough that Wednesday You can actually do it, even on their worst day. “Sunday You keeps writing cheques that Wednesday You can’t cash. And Wednesday You is dealing with quite a lot, actually.” If this one resonated, share it with someone who’s been stuck in that Sunday planning, Wednesday failing cycle. They’re not lazy. They’re just planning for the wrong person. Tell me: what’s one thing on your list right now that’s clearly a Sunday You plan? Have a great weekend! 💛 Noemie X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unwrittenpotential.com

10 min
20 FEB

Why Being Hard on Yourself Isn't Working

I spent most of my 30s in a relationship with someone wildly unreliable. Someone who made promises every Sunday and broke them by Wednesday. That person was me. And the worst part wasn’t the failing, it was how I spoke to myself afterwards. In this episode, I’m breaking down why self-criticism keeps you stuck, what the research actually says about shame and habit change, and the two-part approach that finally worked for me. In this episode: * The Sunday-to-Wednesday promise cycle (and why I lived there for years) * What actually happens in your brain when you beat yourself up * Why dieters who practise self-compassion recover faster from slips * The “start fresh Monday” trap and what’s really going on * Why compassion doesn’t make you soft, it makes you resilient * Self-compassion plus environment design: the combination that works Your experiment for this week: Pick one tiny promise to keep to yourself this week. A glass of water before coffee. A ten-minute walk. Lights out by 11. When you break it (because you will), notice what you say to yourself. Replace “for f**k’s sake” with “OK, what happened? What do we try differently?” Then make it stupidly easy: put the glass by the kettle, lay out the shoes, set the alarm. Self-compassion plus environment design. “I spent years at war with myself. Trying to punish and discipline and shame my way into being someone I liked. It never worked. What worked was becoming someone I could trust.” If this one resonated, share it with someone who’s been stuck in the self-criticism spiral. They’re not lazy. They’re not broken. They just need a different approach. Tell me: what’s the one small promise you’re keeping this week? I genuinely want to know 💛 Noemie X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unwrittenpotential.com

10 min
14 FEB

Stop Waiting for Clarity. Start Moving.

We’ve been sold a story: the visionary founder who “always knew,” the coach who found her calling after one retreat, the career changer with a single crystallising moment. Great stories. Mostly b******t. In this episode, I’m sharing why waiting for clarity keeps you stuck, what my gloriously patchy CV taught me about career pivots, and the one question that actually moves you forward when you have no idea what you’re changing to. In this episode: * Why the “mapped-out life” is a myth we tell backwards * My gloriously patchy CV: from call centres to health coaching to DJing * Why I felt inadequate reading Lean In, and what I’ve learned since * You don’t think your way into a new path, you experiment your way into it * The coaching question that cuts through the “but change to what?” spiral * Why one small move beats ten hours of spiralling Timestamps: * [00:00] Cold open: “We’ve all been sold a story...” * [01:45] Last week’s episode recap + the subscriber message that inspired this one * [02:45] My gloriously patchy CV * [04:00] The Lean In moment and measuring yourself against the wrong people * [05:00] You experiment your way into a new path * [06:30] The coaching question: “If you knew everything was going to work out...” * [07:30] Making it stupidly small: one move, an experiment * [08:30] Bottom line: clarity is overrated, action isn’t * [09:15] Close Your experiment for this week: Ask yourself: if I knew everything was going to work out, what would be my next move? Don’t overthink it. Then make it stupidly small. Not “quit my job” but “message one person whose career makes me curious.” Not “start a business” but “spend one evening sketching out the idea.” One move. This week. Not a commitment. An experiment. “Nobody’s TED talk opens with ‘I stumbled around for fifteen years and kind of fell into this by accident.’ But that’s closer to the truth for most people. Including me.” If this one resonated, share it with someone who’s been stuck in that “but what do I change to?” loop. They don’t need a grand plan. They just need permission to experiment. Tell me: what’s your next move? I genuinely want to know. 💛 Noemie X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unwrittenpotential.com

10 min
7 FEB

You're Ready. Or Are You?

I spent two years wanting to stop drinking before I actually stopped. Turns out, wanting to change and being ready to change aren’t the same thing, and that distinction would’ve saved me years of shame spirals. In this episode, I’m breaking down the six stages of change, why you’re probably using the wrong approach for the stage you’re actually in, and what to do instead. In this episode: * Why wanting to change and being ready to change are completely different things * The six stages of behaviour change (and how to spot which one you’re actually in) * Why 80% of people relapse at least once, and why that’s normal, not failure * What to do at each stage, from contemplation to maintenance * A simple readiness exercise that cuts right through the b******t Timestamps: * [00:00] Cold open: “I spent two years wanting to stop drinking...” * [01:30] Life update from Salvador, Brazil * [02:30] The Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change, explained * [04:30] The six stages of change * [06:30] Why I kept designing plans for someone in action when I was still in contemplation * [08:00] What to actually do at each stage * [10:00] Weekly experiment: rate your readiness 1–10 * [12:00] Bottom line Mentioned in this episode: * Prochaska & DiClemente: Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change (Stages of Change) Your experiment for this week: Pick one habit you’ve been trying to build or break. Rate your readiness to change it right now, 1 to 10. Then ask yourself: why didn’t I say a lower number? That answer is the part of you that wants this. Finally, ask: what would need to be true for me to be just one number higher? That’s your next step. Not the whole plan. Just the next step. “I kept designing plans for someone in action, but really I was someone in contemplation. No wonder nothing worked.” If this one hit home, share it with someone who’s been stuck in that start-stop cycle. They’re probably not lazy. They’re probably just in the wrong stage. Tell me: which stage are you actually in right now? I genuinely want to know. 💛 Noemie X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unwrittenpotential.com

12 min
27 JAN

Why Doing Less Is Your 2026 Power Move

SHOW NOTES Why Doing Less Is Your 2026 Power Move It’s still only January and already there’s just... so much. So much content, so much news, so many opinions and notifications demanding your attention. You’re a normal human trying to process an inhuman amount of input. And it’s exhausting. In this episode, I’m sharing why making space is the most underrated skill for 2026, and why no productivity hack, app, or morning routine is going to save you from overwhelm. I’ll tell you about my own years of failed habits, the question that finally changed everything for me, and why subtraction before addition is the real power move this year. In this episode: * Why overwhelm isn’t a personal failing. It’s a business model designed to keep you hooked * The question I stopped asking (and the one I started asking instead) * What actually shifted when I made room in my life, my calendar, and my head * How to start subtracting without blowing up your entire life * Your experiment for this week: one small thing to let go of Connect with me: If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you’re loving the podcast, a rating or review helps more people find us. With love,Noemie x This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unwrittenpotential.com

8 min
20 JAN

What If Consistency Wasn’t About Trying Harder?

What if consistency wasn’t about trying harder? This episode came from a very real place. I’m recording it from Brazil, a month into a year of travel, with my once-solid routines completely blown up. And it reminded me of something I teach all the time, but still needed to relearn the hard way. The people we admire for being “consistent” aren’t stronger, more disciplined, or better humans. They’re living in environments that quietly support the behaviour they want. In this episode, we talk about: * Why willpower is unreliable, especially when you’re tired or stressed * What research actually shows about self-control and temptation * How your environment shapes your habits more than motivation ever will * Why discipline is a backup generator, not a long-term strategy * How to redesign your setup so consistency becomes easier, not harder This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about noticing what’s working against you, and changing that instead. An experiment for this week Pick one habit you’ve been struggling with and ask:What’s one thing in my environment making this harder than it needs to be? Not your mindset. Not your motivation. Your setup. Make one small tweak and see what changes. Next week, we’ll talk about why “starting over” keeps failing, and what a real reset actually looks like. If this resonated, feel free to share it with someone who’s been beating themselves up about consistency lately. And if you’re not subscribed to Unwritten Potential yet, you can do that right here on Substack. Much love,Noemie x Every week I help 1500+ burned-out humans build sustainable habits for real, messy life. No toxic wellness. No hustle culture. No BS. ⚡️Let's goooo! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unwrittenpotential.com

12 min
13 JAN

Already Feeling Behind? Good.

Are you already feeling behind this January? Everyone’s posting their big 2026 goals while you’re just trying to get through the week. Here’s the truth: that voice telling you to do more isn’t telling you the truth. And I have evidence. In this episode, I’m sharing why rest isn’t the obstacle to a good year – it’s the foundation. If you’re tired of the “new year, new you” pressure and want to start 2026 with intention instead of intensity, this one’s for you. The 21-Day Habit Myth (And Why You’re Not Behind) That whole “21 days to build a habit” thing? Complete b******t. It was made up by a plastic surgeon in the 1960s watching people adjust to their new noses. Real research says habits take two to three months minimum. So if you started something on January 1st and you’re already wobbling, you’re not failing. You’re on a completely normal human timeline. Give yourself until March. Why Self-Compassion Beats Self-Criticism When you mess up, that inner drill sergeant doesn’t help – it paralyses you. Research shows being kind to yourself after a slip makes you MORE likely to try again. Self-criticism? It’s sabotage disguised as discipline. Next time you fall off the wagon, ask yourself: what would I say to a friend right now? Then say that to yourself. Design for Actual You, Not Fantasy You Big January goals fail because they’re designed for the version of you who wakes at 5am and never has a s**t day. But that’s not who’s doing the thing. Start embarrassingly small – floss one tooth, not your whole mouth. And before asking “what should I add?”, try “what do I need to stop?” Most habits don’t fail because we lack discipline. They fail because we’re trying to add them to a life that’s already full. Three Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Habits take 2-3 months, not 21 days. Stop checking in after three weeks wondering why it’s not automatic. Give yourself until spring. 2️⃣ Compassion keeps you in the game. What actually matters isn’t never messing up – it’s knowing how to come back without starting over. 3️⃣ You don’t need to try harder this year. You need to make space first. Subtraction before addition. Clear the noise before you add more sound. Join the Movement! If you enjoyed this episode, you’re going to love my newsletter! I dive deeper into these topics and share exclusive tools, guides, and behind-the-scenes insights that I don’t share anywhere else. It’s like getting your own coach in your inbox every week. Subscribe at www.unwrittenpotential.com to join 1,500+ people to get unstuck, grow and unleash your Unwritten Potential! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unwrittenpotential.com

11 min

Fed up with wellness that makes life MORE stressful? Me too! Join me as I help you design a life you're obsessed with (without the guru BS, toxic wellness, or cult of hustle). Evidence-based tools that work in real, messy life. Compassion over shame. Experiments over perfection. Ready? Let's go! ⚡️ www.unwrittenpotential.com

Creator

Noemie Mooney
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

39
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Noemie Mooney
Show Website

Unwritten Potential