The Action Factory Podcast

#153 - Habit Loops: Outsmarting Your Brain’s Default Settings

What if the secret to lasting change wasn’t more discipline... but smarter habits?
In this episode, Michael Dawson explores the fascinating science behind habit loops , the brain's invisible programming that runs our daily lives. Inspired by the true story of Clive Wearing, a man with a 30-second memory who could still play piano and find his favorite chair, Michael reveals just how deeply habits shape our behavior, even when we don’t realize it.
You’ll discover:
Why breaking bad habits isn’t about willpower, it’s about breaking the loop.
The simple three-step formula that drives every habit (and how to rewrite it).
How one man stopped a 20-year chocolate routine with a single bus stop change.
Practical tools to rewire your brain using cues, routines, and rewards, without counting a single calorie.
Whether you’ve taken the Quit Your Diet quiz and landed on “behavior” or just want to understand your own habits better, this episode gives you real, doable strategies to shift old patterns and build ones that actually work for you.
Listen now and start building a life that runs on habits you’ve chosen, not ones that run you.
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👣 What to do next...
If today’s episode hit home, take the FREE quiz to find out which level your weight obsession lives on and how to start changing from that level:
👉 https://quit-your-diet.com
You’ll get:✔️ A custom PDF based on your quiz results✔️ A support video made just for your stage✔️ The first 3 chapters of Quit Your Diet: Think to Shrink✔️ Free lifetime membership with tools, downloads, and invites
Prefer video? You can watch this episode and the rest of the series over on the Quit Your Diet YouTube channel:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@Quityourdiet
 
Become a site member today and get early, free access to my full training course when it launches.
☕ Like what you’re hearing? Support the show on Buy Me a Coffee and get exclusive invites to my monthly live coffee mornings:👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/quityourdiet
📚 Explore more tools and resources at:👉 https://www.actionfactorypublishing.com
Thanks for tuning in — and remember:
The healthiest decision you could make might be quitting diets for good.
 

#152 - Environment - The Hidden Force Behind Your Habits

What if changing your environment could do more for your health than willpower ever could?
In this episode, Michael Dawson dives into one of the most overlooked but life-changing factors behind lasting change: your environment.
From heroin-addicted soldiers in Vietnam, to why your favorite holiday drink tastes terrible back in your living room, this episode is packed with eye-opening stories and practical tips.
If you’ve taken the Quit Your Diet quiz and scored high on environment, this episode is your roadmap.
If you haven’t taken the quiz yet, no worries, there’s a link in the show notes.
Discover how small changes in your surroundings can lead to massive shifts in your behavior.
Learn how to set up your space so it supports your goals without needing superhuman willpower.
Understand why you're not broken, you're just being influenced by the invisible power of your surroundings.
Michael brings a fresh perspective, real-world examples, and practical steps that can help you transform your kitchen, your mindset, and your life — all without counting a single calorie.
Hit play now and join us on the Quit Your Diet journey.
__________________________________________________
👣 What to do next...
If today’s episode hit home, take the FREE quiz to find out which level your weight obsession lives on and how to start changing from that level:
👉 https://quit-your-diet.com
You’ll get:✔️ A custom PDF based on your quiz results✔️ A support video made just for your stage✔️ The first 3 chapters of Quit Your Diet: Think to Shrink✔️ Free lifetime membership with tools, downloads, and invites
Prefer video? You can watch this episode and the rest of the series over on the Quit Your Diet YouTube channel:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@Quityourdiet
 
Become a site member today and get early, free access to my full training course when it launches.
☕ Like what you’re hearing? Support the show on Buy Me a Coffee and get exclusive invites to my monthly live coffee mornings:👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/quityourdiet
📚 Explore more tools and resources at:👉 https://www.actionfactorypublishing.com
Thanks for tuning in — and remember:
The healthiest decision you could make might be quitting diets for good.
 

#151 Why Dieting Feels So Hard And How "The Weightless" Think Differently

I’m Michael Dawson, author of Quit Your Diet: Think to Shrink, and in this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest reasons diets feel like a constant uphill battle, even when we’re motivated to change.
We all know someone who seems to eat anything they want and never gain weight. Meanwhile, you just glance at carbs and your clothes feel tighter. The truth? It might not be what you’re eating, but how you're trying to change.
This episode introduces the Levels of Change model — a psychological framework that explains the deeper forces behind change.
Discover how “The Weightless” approach eating, and why it works when diets don't.
Make sure you’re subscribed, in upcoming episodes, we’ll break down each level and how to apply it in your own life.
___________________________________________________
👣 What to do next...
If today’s episode hit home, take the FREE quiz to find out which level your weight obsession lives on — and how to start changing from that level:👉 https://quit-your-diet.com
You’ll get:✔️ A custom PDF based on your quiz results✔️ A support video made just for your stage✔️ The first 3 chapters of Quit Your Diet: Think to Shrink✔️ Free lifetime membership with tools, downloads, and invites
🎥 Prefer video? You can watch this episode and the rest of the series over on the Quit Your Diet YouTube channel:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@Quityourdiet
🎓 Become a site member today and get early, free access to my full training course when it launches.
☕ Like what you’re hearing? Support the show on Buy Me a Coffee and get exclusive invites to my monthly live coffee mornings:👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/quityourdiet
📚 Explore more tools and resources at:👉 https://www.actionfactorypublishing.com
Thanks for tuning in — and remember:The healthiest decision you could make might be quitting diets for good.

#150 Quit your Diet - Think to Shrink

After the last episode, I've been thinking deeply. So many people asked me when I was going to write that book about weight loss that I discussed in the previous episode. Well, here we are in 2025, and I did much more than that: I wrote the book, and I'm currently giving away 100,000 copies on a pay-what-you-want basis. I also have a course coming soon that will support you on your “quit your diet” journey. As far as podcasts go, this episode is way outside of our usual remit, so I created a brand-new podcast. I'd suggest you subscribe, as we take you through a series of real tools to support your journey to quitting diets forever.
The new Quit Your Diet podcast is here:https://www.actionfactorypublishing.com/podcast
The free book is here:https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/70007041/quit-your-diet-think-to-shrink-full-book
Remember to stick around if you’re all about youth work, because the toolkit is growing and going strong.
Remember to stick around if your all about youth work because the toolkit is growing and going strong.

#149 - Lessons from a Weight Loss Experiment

What happens when you bring together 12 clinically obese individuals and a team of experts to tackle weight loss and save lives?
ANNOUNCEMENT
So many people asked me when I was going to write that book about weight loss that I discussed in this episode. Well, here we are in 2025, and I did much more than that: I wrote the book, and I'm currently giving away 100,000 copies on a pay-what-you-want basis. I also have a course coming soon that will support you on your “quit your diet” journey. As far as podcasts go, this episode is way outside of our usual remit, so I created a brand-new podcast. I'd suggest you subscribe, as we take you through a series of real tools to support your journey to quitting diets forever.
The new Quit Your Diet podcast is here:https://www.actionfactorypublishing.com/podcast
The free book is here:https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/70007041/quit-your-diet-think-to-shrink-full-book
 
In this episode of The Action Factory Podcast, I share the behind-the-scenes story of a groundbreaking NHS pilot program, where I was invited to be the unlikely "Mr. Motivator." From personal epiphanies to clashes of philosophy, the whole project produced some surprising lessons about the power of mindset in creating lasting change.
Most importantly this project influenced my approach to youth work and personal transformation, it confirmed it’s your brain that holds the key to success. Whether you're a youth worker or someone intrigued by the process of change, this episode is quite an eye opener, and even a sneak peek at Michael’s upcoming book.
FREE PDF
THE REAL MR MOTIVATOR
 
 WATCH THE FREE TRAINING SESSION