Miles of Books: 'Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Breakthrough Results'

In this episode of Miles of Books, host Sarah Bowen Shea and co-host Coach Liz Waterstrott dive into 'Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Breakthrough Results' by Nir Ayal and Julie Lee. The book challenges the notion that limiting beliefs are fixed truths, instead framing them as malleable tools shaped by attention, anticipation, and agency. Drawing on neuroscience and peer-reviewed research, the hosts explore how discomfort precedes motivation, how anticipation can unlock hidden physical capacity, and how small, tangible wins build neurological evidence of control—key to overcoming passivity. Real-life stories from both hosts, including Sarah’s lingering fear of Canva and Liz’s reflections on race-week dread, illustrate how belief systems shape performance. The episode also highlights practical applications: auditing beliefs before workouts, collecting small wins deliberately, and reframing aging as a source of strength rather than decline. With a strong emphasis on science over fluff, the book is positioned as a transformative guide for athletes and non-athletes alike who feel stuck in their own heads.