Yesterday was the Winter Solstice—the shortest day of the year here in Sault Ste. Marie. For many, it marks a natural time for reflection as we move toward a new year.

But here's something you should know: 80% of New Year's resolutions are abandoned by February. That's not because people lack discipline or willpower. It's because resolutions are built on the wrong foundation.

In this episode of Catalyst Fitness Quickcast, I'm going to walk you through a process that actually creates lasting change. Not temporary motivation—real, meaningful improvement in your life.

What You'll Learn:

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• How to reflect on your year without judgment or creating a scorecard
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• The power of picking ONE focus area (and why trying to change everything fails)
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• How to create a clear, detailed vision of what improvement actually looks like
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• The process of mapping your path backward from vision to current reality
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• Why sharing your commitment with one trusted person matters
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• Three practical strategies that make change easier (including why subtraction beats addition)
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• The critical role of coaching in creating sustainable change
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The Framework:

This episode is built around the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai—the idea that happiness comes from having "something to do, something to love, and something to hope for." By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear process for identifying what you want to work on in 2026 and how to actually make it happen.

Who This Episode Is For:

Whether you're focused on fitness, improving relationships, mental health, career development, or personal growth, this framework applies. It's especially valuable if you've tried and abandoned resolutions before, or if you're tired of the cycle of motivation followed by burnout.

The Sault Ste. Marie Connection:

As always, I bring a local perspective to this content. I reference local resources like Bonnie Skinner Psychotherapy for those working on mental health goals, and I speak directly to the realities of making change in our Northern Ontario community.

Why This Matters Now:

We're living in a time when social media bombards us with transformation stories and quick fixes. But real change doesn't happen in 30 days or from a viral trend. It happens through consistent, intentional action guided by a clear process.

This episode gives you that process.

Whether you work with us at Catalyst Fitness or apply these principles to any other area of your life, this framework will help you move from intention to implementation—and from implementation to lasting results.