The Truth About Motivation: Why You’re Stuck and How to Move Forward
🎙️ Episode 1 – The Truth About Motivation: Why You’re Stuck and How to Move Forward
In this kickoff episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist) and Zack Carter (Counselor & Coach for Men) dig into the roots of motivation—why we lose it, how to regain it, and what’s actually driving our behaviors beneath the surface.
In this kickoff episode of The Lion Counseling Podcast, Mark Odland (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist) and Zack Carter (Counselor & Coach for Men) dig into the roots of motivation—why we lose it, how to regain it, and what’s actually driving our behaviors beneath the surface.
From New Year’s resolutions that fade to long-term personal goals that stall out, this episode is packed with real talk on why willpower alone won’t work, how emotions fuel human behavior, and why core values are the secret to lasting change.
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why “trying harder” isn’t enough when your motivation dries up
- How emotions—not thoughts—are the real drivers of human action
- The difference between external motivation and intrinsic, values-based motivation
- How perfectionism, all-or-nothing thinking, and self-criticism kill momentum
- Simple strategies to build habits through the “start stupid easy” method
- How EMDR therapy helps connect truth from the head to the heart
- How trauma, stress, and unresolved emotional pain can sabotage your goals
- The connection between masculinity, emotional strength, and purpose
- A practical look at how to align your goals with your identity as a man
💥 Whether you're a high performer stuck in burnout, a husband and father feeling emotionally distant, or just a man looking to grow—this episode offers real insight and practical tools to help you move forward with clarity and strength.
About the Show:
The Lion Counseling Podcast helps men escape the cages that hold them back and become the lions they were created to be. Hosted by the team at Lion Counseling, we explore topics like mental health, masculinity, faith, business, relationships, trauma recovery, and personal growth—all from a grounded, faith-informed, and action-oriented perspective.
The Lion Counseling Podcast helps men escape the cages that hold them back and become the lions they were created to be. Hosted by the team at Lion Counseling, we explore topics like mental health, masculinity, faith, business, relationships, trauma recovery, and personal growth—all from a grounded, faith-informed, and action-oriented perspective.
👉 Visit www.escapethecagenow.com to learn more or schedule counseling or life coaching with Mark or Zack.
📲 Be sure to subscribe, tap the bell, and leave a comment—what drives you to grow?
Click here to watch a video of this episode.’
💬 Share this episode with a man in your life who’s stuck and needs a breakthrough.
Click here to watch a video of this episode.’
💬 Share this episode with a man in your life who’s stuck and needs a breakthrough.
#MensMentalHealth #ChristianMen #MotivationForMen #SelfImprovement #Perfectionism #FaithAndMasculinity #CounselingForMen #PodcastForMen #EMDRTherapy #TraumaHealing #EmotionalMastery #GoalSettingForMen #BurnoutRecovery #LionCounseling #EscapeTheCage
Creators and Guests
Host
Mark Odland
Founder of Lion Counseling, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified EMDR Therapist
