Episode 587: Kier Gaines: Self-Awareness, Distress Tolerance, and the Mental Skills That Build Resilience

Kier Gaines (0:01)

Hi, guys, it's Tony Robbins. You're listening to Habits and Hustle. Crush it.

Jen Cohen (0:06)

What if protecting your peace is actually making you less resilient? We've gotten very good at avoiding discomfort and waiting until we feel ready. But that can be keeping us really stuck. Today on Habits and Hustle, I'm sitting down with Kier Gaines to talk about self-awareness and why your actions have to match your intentions, and how learning to tolerate discomfort can make you stronger. Kier is a licensed therapist, keynote speaker, and a popular content creator, and the author of the new book It All Starts When You Do. His work has reached millions and this conversation is packed with practical ways to get more honest with yourself, and start creating real change. So let's dive in.

Guys, welcome to another episode of Habits and Hustle, and you guys are going to love the next guest I have.

I know I sometimes say that, but I'm always very authentic when I say that, and genuine. This time, it's that times 100 His name is Kier Gaines. He's a licensed therapist. He is a wonderful content creator and a keynote speaker. He gives some of the most extraordinary advice that I've seen on social media.

Kier Gaines (1:18)

Thank you.

Jen Cohen (1:19)

No, it's true. He's very insightful, just very heartfelt. I am so happy to have you on this podcast.

Kier Gaines (1:27)

I'm happy to be here.

Jen Cohen (1:28)

Thank you for being here.

Kier Gaines (1:29)

For sure.

Jen Cohen (1:31)

Oh my God, I don't even know where to begin, because I have a million questions and I can't see like I told you, so I'm going to try to, if you see me squinting at a question, don't take it personally. I can't.

Kier Gaines (1:42)

We are kindred spirits in visual impairment.

Jen Cohen (1:45)

I refuse to wear glasses.

Kier Gaines (1:47)

I refuse to. I have to book the appointment, then have the guy do the thing where he changes the lenses, and I have too much stuff going on.

Jen Cohen (1:55)

I know. I also think it's like a thing where I don't want to believe that I'm getting old, so I just think, because mine is much more of an old age thing. It's like a reading glasses thing.

Kier Gaines (2:05)

When you kind of got a-

Jen Cohen (2:06)

Like I'm like, I can't see, I'm squinting. So that's why I'm giving you the heads up. So if I'm looking down a lot, because I used to be able to look right back up, this time I might have to really squint.

Kier Gaines (2:16)

Be on the best and your poor vision is fine.

Jen Cohen (2:18)

You're in good company. Thank you so much.

Okay, so on this podcast, to keep us focused and like really alert, we take these little performance shots by Magic Mind. This one has caffeine though. Are you okay with that?

Kier Gaines (2:30)

Okay with that. I don't know how I live without it.

Jen Cohen (2:33)

Okay, good. Okay, so how we do this is we, well, you did the first part. You shake it. We do the whole like, you know, cheers.

And then we just wrinkle them. It's pretty simple. And then you got to tell me after the podcast, if you were like, super like focused and on point. Are you ready?

Kier Gaines (2:48)

Okay, cheers to more clarity and more clarity and more alertness.

Jen Cohen (2:52)

More alertness. I've had like five. Am I allowed to have more?

I'm actually kind of scared. I literally have had like so many today. It's good though, right?

Kier Gaines (3:04)

Oh, that's ashwagandha in it?

Jen Cohen (3:06)

Yes, ashwagandha, lion's mane, turmeric.

It's really, really good ingredients. You want to have mine too? It's really, really good.

These are really, really, and I'm not just saying this because they're a sponsor.

Kier Gaines (3:16)

I love them. Oh, that's good. And this is called what, Magic Mind?

Jen Cohen (3:19)

Magic Mind. So your mind will be just magic. It's mental performance.

Kier Gaines (3:22)

How long does it take to kick in? I'm feeling like I know more already.

Jen Cohen (3:25)

Maybe like, maybe seven, 10 minutes? All right. I don't know. It goes, I mean, I would imagine even maybe sooner for some people. I don't know.

Kier Gaines (3:34)

Oh, that has a really good aftertaste.

Jen Cohen (3:35)

Yes, I know.

Listen, we don't screw around here at Habits and Hustle. We're the real deal.

Kier Gaines (3:41)

That's subtly sweet. I'm really selling this thing now.