Episode Subtitle Overwhelm, perfectionism, and “meh” phases in your training, and how to move through them without quitting. Episode Description Happy New Year from the Davis Fitness Method podcast. Steven sits down with coach Tris Cason to talk about why so many people start the year fired up with big goals, then slide straight into overwhelm, confusion, disconnection, and feeling like they are not making progress. Using the work of Michelle Baty as a jumping off point, Steven and Tris break down the real reasons clients stall out, how they personally navigate discipline when motivation disappears, and how to set goals that actually fit the reality of your life, not just the fantasy in your head. They cover client stories, their own current goals (Steven’s bodybuilding prep and Tris’ year long bulk), and practical strategies you can use today to stay consistent, adjust intelligently, and give yourself grace without drifting into all or nothing thinking.   If you have ever said “I want to feel fit” or “I just need to be more disciplined” and then felt stuck, this one will hit home. In This Episode, We Cover The 4 big goal killers from Michelle Baty Overwhelm Confusion Disconnection Lack of progress “Calibration” check ins How Steven and Tris regularly ask clients Are we still aligned with this goal Does this still fit your life right now Why goals often need to pivot instead of being abandoned Getting specific about “I want to feel fit” Translating vague goals into clear outcomes Climbing stairs without getting winded vs running a half marathon Matching your language with your coach’s language so you are chasing the same thing Avoiding overwhelm when you are “motivated” and trying to do everything The student heading to med school who wanted to cut, train 4 days per week, crush labs, and recover How they pulled training back, simplified the plan, and protected recovery Why stacking too many habits at once backfires even if you feel hyped Setting foundations that actually last Starting with consistency in training before loading up nutrition rules Early wins as a form of fuel Using simple structures like calories and protein or repeatable meals instead of perfection Expectations vs reality for progress How much change you can realistically expect in strength, muscle, and body composition Why early strength gains show up before tissue change Under promising and over delivering so you do not feel like the “refund” is late Perfectionism and all or nothing thinking The client who feels they have to be perfect or they quit The “bumpy road” and steering wheel analogy for slip ups How to treat a high calorie day like maintenance instead of a reason to throw more “dirt on the pile” Navigating holidays, trips, and real life Why what you do between New Year’s and Thanksgiving matters more than the holiday window Simple guardrails for travel and parties Coaching clients to keep one wheel on the tracks instead of blowing everything up Discipline, devotion, and doing the unsexy work Steven’s prep for a 2026 bodybuilding show while running a business and parenting Tris’ long bulk to rebuild health, strength, and muscle after burnout The idea of “devotion” to yourself and your goals instead of chasing constant motivation Program design and brain type People who need novelty vs people who thrive on repetition Conjugate style variety vs block periodization structure Giving clients a “spark” inside a session without wrecking the long term plan How good coaching actually works Brutal honesty with empathy Asking clients how they like to be coached and what they have responded to in the past Teaching the “why” behind exercises and progressions so there is less confusion and more buy in Key Quotes “You do not have to be perfect. You just have to get close enough to create change.” “Most people are not failing bec