150. Why You Slow Down Right Before a Breakthrough
Wed Feb 04 2026
FREE GUIDE: The 5 Strategic Gaps Keeping Designers Stuck Under $200k → https://thestudioco.co/5-strategic-gaps
On mile 25 of a marathon, I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks: everyone around me was walking, not in the painful middle when the miles felt endless, but at the very end when the finish line was finally in sight. It made me realize this is exactly what so many of us do in life, business, habits, and motherhood: we don’t quit at the beginning, we quit at almost. In this episode, I break down the psychology behind why our brains slow us down when we’re closest to a breakthrough, why this is especially true for women and moms carrying an invisible mental load, and how high performers use simple rituals and identity shifts to push through the resistance of the “last mile.” This isn’t about hustling harder—it’s about understanding what’s happening in your brain and becoming the woman who finishes stronger than she starts. If you’ve ever felt yourself stall right before something big, this one is for you.
https://thestudioco.co/
@byoliviaaustin // @thestudioco.co
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FREE GUIDE: The 5 Strategic Gaps Keeping Designers Stuck Under $200k → https://thestudioco.co/5-strategic-gaps On mile 25 of a marathon, I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks: everyone around me was walking, not in the painful middle when the miles felt endless, but at the very end when the finish line was finally in sight. It made me realize this is exactly what so many of us do in life, business, habits, and motherhood: we don’t quit at the beginning, we quit at almost. In this episode, I break down the psychology behind why our brains slow us down when we’re closest to a breakthrough, why this is especially true for women and moms carrying an invisible mental load, and how high performers use simple rituals and identity shifts to push through the resistance of the “last mile.” This isn’t about hustling harder—it’s about understanding what’s happening in your brain and becoming the woman who finishes stronger than she starts. If you’ve ever felt yourself stall right before something big, this one is for you. https://thestudioco.co/ @byoliviaaustin // @thestudioco.co