Picture this: You’re climbing Everest. It’s freezing, dark, and your legs feel like concrete. You could curse the mountain, wishing it were as easy as a walk in the park—or you could marvel at the challenge, knowing every blistered toe brings you closer to a summit few will ever reach.

This perspective shift isn’t just a motivational meme, it’s backed by science. Stanford psychologist Alia Crum, featured on the Hidden Brain podcast episode Mindset: Reframing Your Reality, explores how the lens through which we view our experiences doesn’t just shape how we feel, it changes how our bodies respond.

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‍⚡ Stress: The Double-Edged Sword

Stress often gets villainised. But what if stress isn’t the problem, but the proof that you care?

Crum suggests stress and care are two sides of the same coin. We don’t stress over things that don’t matter. Whether it’s parenting, leading a team, or preparing for a big pitch, stress shows you’re emotionally invested.

Think about the last time you achieved something big. Was it calm and easy? Probably not. Crum defines stress as “the experience or anticipation of adversity in goal-related efforts.” So if you’re feeling the pressure, chances are—you’re climbing your own Everest. And that’s worth acknowledging.

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🧠 The Magic of Mindset

A mindset is more than a belief—it’s a lens, a filter, a framework for how we interpret reality. And it can physically change us.

Take Crum’s milkshake study: participants drank the same shake, but one group was told it was an indulgent treat while the other believed it was a low-cal “sensible” choice. The results? Those who believed it was indulgent experienced a significant drop in hunger hormones, while the others didn’t. Same shake. Different mindset. Different physiological response.

The implication? Our beliefs can override biology. That’s powerful.

🖼️ Reframing the Frame

If mindset is the frame, then how we interpret our experiences becomes the picture. What would change if you viewed stress as a marker of commitment, not inadequacy? What if failure wasn’t a red flag, but a sign you’re stretching?

During a high-stakes talk, Crum felt her voice shake. In that moment, she could’ve spiralled, but instead, she reframed it: “My nerves mean I care.” That mindset pivot turned pressure into purpose.

💪 Applying the Shift

So how do we make this mindset magic part of real life?

• Embrace the climb: When stress hits, recognise it as a signal that you’re on the right path.
• Recast ‘healthy’ habits: See movement, nourishing food, and rest as forms of indulgence, not obligation.
• Flip the script: Ask yourself, “What story am I telling about this challenge? What new lens could I try?”

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🎨 Pop That’s Take

As a creative agency, we see this mindset dynamic play out all the time.

When clients launch bold campaigns, when our team navigates a tricky brief, or when creative blocks hit, the story we tell ourselves changes everything. Challenges aren’t signs you’re off course; they’re signs you’re daring to care.

So here’s our challenge to you:

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Next time you feel stuck, stressed, or unsure—pause. Ask yourself:

‍What mindset would serve me better right now?

That simple shift could be the difference between stalling halfway up the mountain and pushing through to the summit.

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💬 What’s Your Mindset Story?

We’d love to hear how you’re reframing stress, shifting perspectives, and navigating your own personal Everests. Drop us a message, share your story, or tag us in a post.

Let’s keep the conversation going.

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