Be Your Own Life Coach Podcast with Bretagne Stowe & Anike Wilder

Breaking the Cycle — Finding the Motivation to Quit a Bad Habit

Struggling to quit a bad habit you keep falling back into? In this episode, Bretagne Stowe and Anike Wilder break down why we repeat behaviors that drain our energy, clarity, and confidence — and how to finally change them.

With the New Year approaching, resolutions are top of mind. But real transformation starts with understanding the need behind the habit. Whether it’s social media, overeating, smoking or drinking, lying, sitting too long, avoiding a sleep routine, or breaking promises to yourself, every habit is meeting a deeper need: comfort, control, escape, connection, or safety.

You’ll learn:

• The hidden “reward” your habit gives you

• What the habit protects you from

• Why you can’t change a behavior you’re still defending

• How to uncover the emotional need beneath the pattern

Plus simple, doable replacements:

• Scrolling → stretching

• Second plate → brush your teeth

• Lying → listen

• Sitting too long → change location

• No sleep routine → 3-minute ritual

• Breaking promises → micro-promises

We also dive into habit stacking, micro-changes, and a quick self-coaching framework to help you identify triggers, rebuild self-trust, and take actionable steps toward a better habit system.

7-Day Challenge: Replace your habit with one small action and track your energy.
Because quitting isn’t just stopping — it’s starting something better.