Episode # 156: From Stuck to Strong: Building a Growth Mindset with PCOS

Hi, and welcome back to the PCOS Repair Podcast, where today we’re diving into a research article about neuroscience, growth mindset, and intrinsic motivation. I found this article extremely interesting—not just from a scientific standpoint, but from a personal one as well—because it directly connects to how we take action in our health and, really, in any area of our lives.

Now, while it’s not specifically about PCOS, I think you’ll quickly see how deeply related it is to everything we talk about here on the podcast. We’re constantly discussing lifestyle modifications, creating healthy habits, and building a lifestyle that supports our PCOS health. But so much of that comes down to actually following through on the steps. That’s where we often get stuck. We might have all the knowledge—awareness, understanding, even clarity on our root cause—but if it all feels overwhelming or too hard, or if we feel unmotivated or not disciplined enough, everything can begin to crumble. We get frustrated and feel down on ourselves.

So in today’s episode, we’re going to talk about the science of our brain—how our mindset and motivation work, and how we can create an environment where we feel more motivated. We’ll explore how the brain’s reward system actually gives us chemical responses—little boosts—that help us stay on track with what we want to create in our lives. Let’s dive in.

We often talk about mindset in terms of reframing our thoughts, staying motivated, or being persistent. But today I want to define two important terms: growth mindset and intrinsic motivation. The article we’re exploring today reviews several studies in neuroscience and education. It looks at how our brains respond to failure, and how people develop the ability to approach setbacks with curiosity rather than becoming discouraged.

Let’s start with growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities—including intelligence and skills—can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. It’s the opposite of seeing talent as fixed. With a growth mindset, you don’t believe you’re “just good” or “just bad” at something. Instead, you believe you can evolve and improve over time.

What I love about this is how empowering it is. You don’t have to be perfect—there’s no pressure to get everything right. It’s about exploring, learning, and getting better. You just have to be willing to try and be okay with not getting it right the first time. The word “fail” can feel harsh, but in this context, failure is just feedback. It’s an opportunity to adjust and try something different next time.

Research shows that individuals with a strong growth mindset are more motivated, more resilient, and more willing to tackle difficult challenges. They don’t get discouraged easily because they see failures as opportunities for growth.

And here’s where it gets fascinating: this isn’t just about personality. These mindsets show up in real, observable brain activity. Neuroscience studies have shown that people with a growth mindset activate different areas of their brain when dealing with setbacks. Specifically, the areas related to learning, feedback, and behavioral adaptation light up when they face challenges—because their brains are in learning mode rather than shutdown mode.

So how does that connect with motivation, especially intrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation is our internal drive to do something simply because we find it meaningful or enjoyable—not because of an external reward like money, praise, or approval. It’s the thing that gets us out of bed to go for a run when no one’s watching. It’s what motivates us to prep our lunches or tidy up our schedule the night before—not because someone will give us a gold star, but because it feels good and aligns with what we want for ourselves.

Now, of course, external motivation plays a role. Let’s be real—most of us will try harder in a workout if our trainer or a friend is right there beside us. But the magic lies in building the internal drive. Intrinsic motivation is what keeps you going when no one’s watching and no one is cheering you on. It’s what helps you stay consistent when you’re working toward something that’s going to take time—like creating a healthy lifestyle or supporting your PCOS.

At a brain level, intrinsic motivation is linked to the dopamine system—the part of the brain that helps us experience pleasure and rewards. Dopamine gives us that sense of satisfaction, pride, or joy when we do something that aligns with our values or goals. And yes, social media and other distractions can hijack this system. But when we align our dopamine response with things that are actually good for us, like building a habit or problem-solving a challenge, it creates a powerful feedback loop. That’s when motivation becomes sustainable.

One study in particular found that people who got to choose their tasks—and were given the right amount of challenge (not too easy, not too hard)—showed more brain activity in the reward areas. That tells us something huge: choice and appropriate challenge are key ingredients for motivation.

If I tell you, “This week you’re going to drink more water,” you might feel a little resistant—even if you want to be healthier. Why? Because I took away your choice. But if I say, “Here are 10 healthy habits—pick one that excites you and feels like a doable challenge this week,” you’re way more likely to stay engaged and motivated. That bit of choice and stretch sparks something in your brain, and then you start to build momentum.

And here’s where growth mindset and intrinsic motivation really come together. These two are not just psychologically linked—they’re neurologically linked. They engage overlapping brain areas responsible for learning from mistakes, managing effort, and experiencing rewards. That sequence—facing a challenge, learning from it, feeling proud—actually strengthens your motivation to keep going.

So imagine this: You’re working on your PCOS. Maybe you haven’t figured out how to consistently get your steps in or prep your meals. But then you problem-solve one piece of the puzzle—like remembering to pack your gym bag. That one small success becomes a reward. Your brain goes, “Yes, I’m doing it!” And that keeps you moving forward.

This doesn’t just apply to health. Whether you’re parenting, working, or building a new skill, life throws challenges our way. And when we have a growth mindset and intrinsic motivation, those hopes and dreams we have—like building a sustainable PCOS-friendly lifestyle—are no longer just ideas. They become habits. They become reality.

We’re not just losing a few pounds only to gain them back. We’re reshaping how we live. And that’s where the real power of this article hit me—not just from a scientific point of view, but from a personal one. This is where the joy of the journey lies. When you stop feeling deprived or forced, and instead start choosing challenges that feel meaningful, that internal glow of pride becomes the fuel to keep going.

Another insight from the article is about how external rewards can kick-start us, but they rarely sustain us. Weight loss, promotions, validation—those can be great motivators in the beginning. But if you’re not also connecting to why those things matter to you and building the internal satisfaction of daily wins, you won’t stick with it. You’ll burn out. So the goal is to start celebrating the process. Be proud of what you’re building—even before the number on the scale moves.

Eventually, when the external rewards come—like losing a few pounds—you’re already excited because you’ve been building something real and sustainable. You’ve created an environment that supports your goals, and you’re proud of that. It’s no longer a wish—it’s happening.

As we wrap up, remember this: this applies to all areas of personal growth. If you’re building a habit, learning a skill, or working through something hard, these are the key takeaways. Your brain is capable of change—this is called neuroplasticity. That means your mindset matters, and you can train it. The more you shift your perspective, the easier it becomes to break through when things feel hard. Instead of thinking, “I failed,” you start asking, “Where’s the snag? What can I tweak?” And that one mindset shift changes everything.

Motivation isn’t something you have or don’t have—it’s something you can spark. And the way to spark it is by giving yourself the right kind of challenge, autonomy, purpose, and daily rewards. When we do that, we actually train our brain to become more motivated over time.

I hope this gave you a fresh perspective on mindset and motivation, and how they can support your journey with PCOS—especially as you create a lifestyle that promotes hormone balance and long-term health. You’ll find the full article linked in the show notes and on the website.

If you found this helpful, hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss future episodes of the PCOS Repair Podcast. And remember, no matter where you’re starting—whether you’re far along or just getting curious—you can enjoy the journey when you begin to cultivate motivation from within. Until next time, bye for now.