What if the moment you “failed” was actually your mind trying to keep you safe? In this episode of the Self Realized, Shatter Your Limits Podcast Why We Fail: The Hidden Triggers of Sabotage, Success and Change, join me, Linton Bergsen, as you delve into the hidden triggers that push smart people to pull back right before a breakthrough, how the nervous system prefers familiarity, how old memories shape present choices, and why success can feel dangerous when it threatens identity and belonging. Instead of self-sabotage, I offer an approach to practical exercises, real stories, and daily practices that turn fear into forward motion, giving you honest solutions on how to stop self-sabotaging success.

I start by re-framing failure as a protective reflex, then trace it to early lessons about attention, visibility, and rejection. You’ll learn the Recalling the Pattern exercise to link current self- sabotage to past experiences, the Naming the Comfort prompt to uncover what your old habit won't supply you, and a simple way to replace that function with healthier behaviors. 

You’ll explore identity clashes—why abundance feels alien if your story is struggle—and how to script the “you who succeeds” with clear values, language, and decisions by rewiring your brain for success. Along the way, I share a candid case study on emotional eating solutions and a personal turning point that transformed a failure into purpose and success.

To make change prevail, you can lean on the Micro Victory Practice: one small stretch each day giving you daily micro-victories for growth that builds self-trust and momentum. Being self-aware opens the door, choice walks the path, and repetition rewires safety so growth no longer feels like danger. By the end of this episode, you’ll see failure as purification, not punishment, clarity, not condemnation. 

If you’re ready to stop repeating old sabotaging habits and start evolving, hit play, and subscribe for more thoughtful episodes. Leave a rating and review, and visit selfrealized.com for more resources including my five-star Amazon reviewed book "Purposeful Vision. What’s the one small risk you’ll take today? 

Let me know your thoughts on this episode. Text me your feedback! 🙂

https://www.selfrealized.com