• Why You're Always Stiff (And What Actually Works)
    Dec 8 2025

    You've done the stretches. You've seen the physios. You've spent twenty minutes on a foam roller. And you're still bloody stiff. That nagging back, those tight hips, the shoulders that feel ten years older than you are. This episode explains why your body creates tightness in the first place, and what you actually need to do to change it. Spoiler: it's not what most people are doing.


    SHOW NOTES

    The Problem Nobody Explains

    Your tightness isn't the issue — it's your nervous system's solution. When your brain doesn't trust a joint, it locks it down. That's protection, not punishment. But until you understand this, you'll keep chasing temporary relief.

    What We Cover

    • Why movement comes from your joints, not your muscles (and why this changes everything)
    • The "brain map" your body relies on — and why most people's maps are incomplete
    • The reason stretching gives you an hour of relief but the tightness comes back
    • Passive flexibility vs active control: why one builds trust and the other doesn't
    • How to actually use a physio without expecting to be "fixed"
    • Full range joint movement, end range strength work, and intelligent breathing
    • The ecosystem that matters: sleep, hydration, stress, daily movement
    • Why foam rolling is massively overused (and what I'd have you do instead)

    The Bottom Line

    You're not broken. You're not damaged. Your nervous system just needs better information. This isn't age — I'm almost 49 and moving better than I did in my thirties. It's about training with intelligence, not just intensity.

    Connect

    Instagram: @rob_telos
    Email: info@yourtelos.com

    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • Kill the Old You
    Dec 1 2025
    The single biggest thing keeping you stuck isn't time, motivation, or the right programme. It's a version of yourself that refuses to die. In this episode, I share client stories of decade-long limiting beliefs shattered, explain why your brain is working against you, and give you a practical framework (C.A.R.S.) to start rewiring how you think. If you've ever wondered why you keep going back to old patterns despite knowing better, this one's for you.Show Notes:Why You're StuckIt's not time, discipline, or finding the right gym. It's a version of yourself that refuses to die.Client StoriesCal: Told he had "lumbar disc degeneration" — lived as "broken" for 12 years. Now training for triathlons.Dono: Couldn't lift his son without pain. Now training 3x weekly, alcohol-free, playing on the floor with his kid.Colm: His daughter asked, "Dad, how come you're happy all the time?"The Numbers That Explain Everything60,000–80,000 thoughts per day. 80–90% are repetitive.35,000 decisions daily. 95% are subconscious.Your old behaviours are neural motorways. New ones feel like hacking through jungle.Fear Dressed as LogicThe reptilian brain's job: keep you alive, not help you thrive.That "reasonable" excuse? Probably fear in disguise.Your Brain is a Search EngineAsk "Why am I such a failure?" and your brain finds evidence.Ask "What have I stuck with before?" and it finds that instead.The question changes the search. The search changes the belief.The C.A.R.S. FrameworkCatch the negative thought — don't fight it, just notice itAsk — is this fear or truth?Reframe — flip the question to something usefulSearch — let your brain find better answersThe ShiftOld self asks: "What's wrong with me?"New self asks: "What's possible for me?"Want me to tweak the tone, length, or format?the names is cathal and DonemThe user is correcting the names I used in the show notes. They should be:Cathal (not Cal/Cattle)Doneh (not Dono/Donna)Let me update the show notes with the correct names.Got it — here's the corrected version:Podcast Title: Kill the Old YouBlurb (for socials/description):The single biggest thing keeping you stuck isn't time, motivation, or the right programme. It's a version of yourself that refuses to die. In this episode, I share client stories of decade-long limiting beliefs shattered, explain why your brain is working against you, and give you a practical framework (C.A.R.S.) to start rewiring how you think. If you've ever wondered why you keep going back to old patterns despite knowing better, this one's for you.Show Notes:Why You're StuckIt's not time, discipline, or finding the right gym. It's a version of yourself that refuses to die.Client StoriesCathal: Told he had "lumbar disc degeneration" — lived as "broken" for 12 years. Now training for triathlons.Donem: Couldn't lift his son without pain. Now training 3x weekly, alcohol-free, playing on the floor with his kid.Colm: His daughter asked, "Dad, how come you're happy all the time?"The Numbers That Explain Everything60,000–80,000 thoughts per day. 80–90% are repetitive.35,000 decisions daily. 95% are subconscious.Your old behaviours are neural motorways. New ones feel like hacking through jungle.Fear Dressed as LogicThe reptilian brain's job: keep you alive, not help you thrive.That "reasonable" excuse? Probably fear in disguise.Your Brain is a Search EngineAsk "Why am I such a failure?" and your brain finds evidence.Ask "What have I stuck with before?" and it finds that instead.The question changes the search. The search changes the belief.The C.A.R.S. FrameworkCatch the negative thought — don't fight it, just notice itAsk — is this fear or truth?Reframe — flip the question to something usefulSearch — let your brain find better answersThe ShiftOld self asks: "What's wrong with me?"New self asks: "What's possible for me?RetryRReconciled name corrections and revised documentation.
    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • Stop Lying to Yourself About Your Standards
    Nov 19 2025

    You say you want to change. Your actions say otherwise.

    Most successful professionals have impeccable standards at work - they show up on time, deliver quality, never send half-arsed work to clients. But their training? Nutrition? Sleep? Completely different set of standards.

    In this episode, Rob breaks down the Standards Gap - the distance between what you say matters and what you actually do when life gets difficult. He shares his own swimming transformation story and introduces the Four Pillars Framework for raising your standards systematically.

    You'll learn:

    • Why your intelligence is working against you (and how to fix it)
    • The "Rules of the Mind" that control 96% of your decisions
    • How to identify your real standards (not the ones you tell yourself)
    • The Four Pillars: Internal Dialogue, Physical, Organisation, and Nutrition
    • Why life-changing habits are easy (but also easy not to do)
    • The one-thing focus that makes everything else improve

    Download the free Standards Framework Workbook: [website/standards]

    Questions? Message Rob on Instagram @rob_telos or email info@yourtelos.com


    Episode Overview: Rob explores why successful professionals struggle with physical consistency despite knowing exactly what to do. The problem isn't motivation - it's standards.

    Key Takeaways:

    • The Standards Gap: What you say vs. what you actually do
    • Your mind only responds to two things: pictures and words
    • One non-negotiable in TELOS: You can't speak negatively to yourself
    • Swimming story: How a coach changed Rob's standards from 20 to 50 lengths
    • The Four Pillars Framework for raising standards
    • Why 6-7/10 weeks will change your life in the long run

    The Four Pillars:

    1. Internal Dialogue - How you speak to yourself matters more than you think
    2. Physical Standards - Your minimum weekly benchmark (not your ideal)
    3. Organisation - Sunday planning + Friday reflection = consistency
    4. Nutrition - The spectrum of choice principle

    Action Steps:

    1. Rate yourself honestly (1-10) in each pillar
    2. Pick ONE focus area for the next 30 days
    3. Make it non-negotiable and track it
    4. Download the Standards Framework Workbook

    Resources:

    • Free Standards Framework Workbook: [website/standards]
    • Book a Clarity Call: [link in show notes]
    • Instagram: @rob_telos
    • Email: info@yourtelos.com

    Subscribe: New episodes every Wednesday

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • Your Habits Bodyguard: Why Discipline Beats Motivation
    Oct 29 2025


    You wake up Monday motivated. You train brilliantly. You feel unstoppable. Then Wednesday hits - tired, stressed, back's tight, kids up all night. Motivation? Gone. Sound familiar?

    If you're a driven professional between 35-50 who's tried P90X, kettlebells, personal trainers, and countless programs without lasting results, this episode reveals why you're not the problem - relying on motivation is.

    Today I breaKdown the critical difference between motivation (temporary emotional state) and discipline (systematic consistency). Drawing from 15+ years of training and coaching hundreds of clients, he explains why intelligent professionals need intelligent systems - not just harder workouts.

    In This Episode, You'll Discover:

    • Why motivation is like the weather and discipline is your well-built house

    • The "Habits Bodyguard" framework that protects your commitments when life gets difficult

    • How to build discipline progressively like training a muscle (not forcing misery)

    • The identity shift that creates lasting transformation beyond physical results

    • One specific action you can take today to start building your discipline muscle

    This episode is for you if:

    • You're tired of starting and stopping fitness programs

    • You're skeptical of online programs after past disappointments

    • You want physical capability at 50, 60, 70+ (not just to "look good")

    • You're ready for systems-based transformation, not quick fixes

    • You're struggling with back pain, mobility issues, or declining energy

    • You value authenticity over flashy marketing

    Rob shares his personal journey preparing for big surf sessions at nearly 49, proving that age is data, not destiny. He challenges the fitness industry's reliance on motivation and offers the intelligent alternative: building discipline through manageable, consistent actions that compound over time.

    The Bottom Line: Motivation gets you started. Discipline keeps you going. If you're serious about physical freedom and transformation that lasts, this episode gives you the framework to become someone who shows up—rain or shine.

    Ready to stop negotiating with yourself and start building the discipline that creates real change? This is where it begins.

    Connect with TELOS: Instagram: @‌rob_telos Email: info@yourtelos.com Want to explore working together? Book a consultation to learn how we build discipline systems for driven professionals.

    Show more Show less
    25 mins
  • You Don't Lack Potential - You're Just Tuned to the Wrong Frequency
    Oct 22 2025

    Your potential already exists, you just need to remove what's blocking it. In this episode, I break down the 4 types of interference keeping you from your goals and share the decision that changed my life at 35. No magic formulas—just truth about transformation.


    Episode: Your Potential Already Exists - You're Just Removing What's In The WayIn This Episode:

    The Car Park Moment (03:00)

    • How a failed surfing session at 35 became the turning point

    • The difference between hoping and deciding

    • Why that potential was already there

    The Quantum Field Concept (09:55)

    • Every version of you exists as a possibility

    • How to "tune into" the reality you want

    • Einstein's frequency principle applied practically

    The 4 Types of Interference (13:47)

    1. Limiting Beliefs - "I don't have time" / "I'm not disciplined enough"

    2. Subconscious Programming - Beliefs running on autopilot (like my 25 years with alcohol)

    3. Habitual Sabotage - Netflix collapse, weekend wine, all-or-nothing patterns

    4. Low Vibrational States - Operating from stress vs. operating from clarity

    The Power of "I AM" Statements (22:51)

    • How identity drives all behavior

    • Why saying "I'm not disciplined" creates that reality

    • Johnny Sexton's 2018 drop goal mindset

    Practical Visualization Exercise (29:37)

    • Accessing the frequency of your achieved goal NOW

    • Training your nervous system to embody success

    Transformation doesn't happen through programs alone—it happens through decision, embodiment, and consistent action. Your potential exists right now. Remove the interference.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Previous episodes: Physical Energy, Mental Energy, Emotional Energy

    • Michelangelo's marble quote

    • Einstein on frequency

    • David Goggins half marathon story

    Connect: Instagram: @‌rob_telos | Email: info@yourtelos.com | Web: https://yourtelos.com


    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • The Cognitive Triangle: How Thoughts Create Your Reality
    Oct 15 2025

    You can have perfect training, nutrition, and sleep; but if your emotional energy is in the tank, you're not executing. Rob Gallagher breaks down the science of emotional energy and gives you practical tools to shift from stress addiction to peak performance. This is fuel for driven men.


    SHOW NOTES

    You've dialled in your training. Your nutrition is on point. You're sleeping well. So why aren't you executing at the level you know you're capable of?

    The answer: emotional energy.

    In this episode, Rob Gallagher reveals why emotional energy is the most untapped power source for high-performers. Drawing from real client transformations and cutting-edge neuroscience, you'll discover:

    • The Cognitive Triangle - How your thoughts create your reality (and how to redirect them)
    • The Vibrational Energy Framework - Why some states drain you whilst others fuel you
    • Breaking the Stress Addiction Loop - How to stop running on adrenaline and cortisol
    • Your Nervous System Explained - Fight-or-flight vs rest-and-digest
    • Practical Tools - The 4-7-8 breathing technique and why walking in nature is non-negotiable

    Featuring real examples from finance professionals and entrepreneurs who've transformed their performance by mastering emotional energy.

    This isn't soft psychology. This is performance engineering.

    Action Step: Pick ONE tool from this episode. Use it consistently for 7 days. Notice the difference.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    [00:00] Introduction - Why emotional energy is your missing performance edge

    [02:00] The Cognitive Triangle - How thoughts, feelings, and behaviours feed each other

    [07:00] The Vibrational Energy Framework - High, low, and neutral states explained

    [13:00] Breaking the Stress Addiction Loop - Real stories from Ed & Nicky

    [18:00] Your Nervous System - Understanding fight-or-flight vs rest-and-digest

    [22:00] Practical Tools - 4-7-8 breathing & walking in nature

    [26:00] Action Step - One tool, seven days, consistent execution

    KEY CONCEPTS:

    • Cognitive Triangle
    • Vibrational Energy States
    • Stress Addiction Loop (Trigger → Release → Crash → Repeat)
    • Reticular Activating System (RAS)
    • Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Nervous System
    • 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

    QUOTES:"Your brain cannot distinguish between a real threat and an imagined one."

    "Neurons that fire together, wire together."

    "This isn't soft psychology. This is performance fuel."

    CONNECT:Instagram: @rob_telosEmail: info@yourtelos.comWebsite: www.yourtelos.com



    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Mental Bandwidth: Why You're Too Drained to Train (And How to Fix It)
    Oct 8 2025

    Struggling to stick to your training plan despite having all the information? The problem isn't your willpower—it's your mental bandwidth.


    In this episode, we dive into why high-achievers find themselves too mentally drained to execute even the best physical training programs.

    Discover the three biggest energy vampires maxing out your bandwidth (poor boundaries, unresolved mental clutter, and no recovery system), plus two immediately actionable strategies to reclaim your mental energy:

    The 10-Minute Shutdown Ritual and protecting your peak morning hours. If you're succeeding everywhere except your physical transformation, this episode reveals what's really holding you back.


    Episode Summary: Physical transformation requires more than a workout plan—it demands mental energy. This episode explores why driven professionals struggle to execute on their fitness goals despite having all the knowledge and strategy they need.

    What You'll Learn:

    • Why mental bandwidth is the missing link in your physical transformation
    • How your brain uses 20% of your total energy (and why you feel exhausted without physical exertion)
    • The "maxed out bandwidth" analogy: why too many open mental tabs crash your system
    • Context switching: the hidden energy drain destroying your productivity and motivation

    The 3 Biggest Energy Vampires:

    1. Poor Boundaries - Why checking work emails in the evening destroys your recovery and keeps you in perpetual work mode
    2. Unresolved Mental Clutter - How avoided conversations, unmade decisions, and looming problems drain energy in the background
    3. No Recovery System - Why doom scrolling isn't rest and comparison syndrome on social media leaves you depleted

    2 Immediately Actionable Solutions:

    Action #1: The 10-Minute Shutdown Ritual

    • Brain dump everything still on your mind at day's end
    • Identify tomorrow's top 1-3 priorities
    • Create separation between work and personal life
    • Allow your brain to actually relax

    Action #2: Protect Your Peak Hours

    • Block off the first 1-2 hours of each morning
    • No phone, no emails, no external demands for the first 30 minutes
    • Focus on YOUR high-value priorities before reacting to others
    • Win by lunchtime by completing what matters most


    Key Insight: "You can have the perfect training program and nutrition plan, but if your mental bandwidth is maxed out, you're not going to execute."

    Why This Matters: Physical transformation isn't just about training and nutrition; it's about having the mental capacity to show up consistently. This holistic approach addresses WHY you're not doing the workouts, not just WHAT workouts to do.

    Challenge: Pick ONE strategy; either the 10-Minute Shutdown or protecting your morning hours; and commit to it for the next month.


    • Episode Quotes:

      • "When we're not managing our mental energy, we're just gonna be flat"
      • "Worry is essentially visualizing something negative happening in the future"
      • "Mental performance drives physical performance"


    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • Beyond Willpower: Why Physical Energy is Your Greatest Asset
    Sep 30 2025

    Feeling knackered by 3pm? Operating on adrenaline and caffeine just to get through the day? You're not alone – most people are walking around in energy bankruptcy, making withdrawals from an overdrawn account.

    In this episode, Rob breaks down the Energy Bank Account concept and reveals why physical energy is the foundation for everything else in your life – your mental sharpness, emotional resilience, family presence, and work performance.

    You'll discover:

    • The four key energy deposits: sleep, nutrition, movement, and recovery
    • Why exercise actually gives you energy (not takes it away)
    • How to conduct a practical energy audit in under 5 minutes
    • The biggest mistake people make when trying to improve their energy (hint: it's the "all or nothing" approach)
    • Why Rob has more energy at 48 than he did in his early thirties

    This isn't about perfection or overhauling your entire life on Monday. It's about systematically managing your energy so you can show up as the person you want to be – more patient with your children, sharper in meetings, and capable of living life by design, not by default.

    Remember: You're way more capable than you allow yourself to believe

    Show more Show less
    26 mins