I promise that you can become stronger than you are right now. Possibly stronger than you even think is possible. There is a part of the brain called the Mid Cingulate Cortex. And every time you resist doing something that is difficult to resist, your Mid Cingulate Cortex grows stronger. Literally. Also, if you force yourself to do something that your mind is resistant to the idea of doing, but you do it anyway, overriding the mind, it grows. Science has discovered this area to be the seat of the will. Studies show that every time you resist something with difficulty, or do something inspite of it, this area of the brain lights up and physically grows. This area of the brain is “plastic”, meaning changeable or malleable. You can alter it just like you can any muscle. Using it, exercising it,  makes it grow bigger and stronger. 

The studies showed that thinner, fitter people had a larger mid-cingulate cortex. Heavier people tended to have a smaller mid-cingulate cortex. But when stimulated by exerting self-control over what the mind wanted the area lit up and grew regardless of earlier choices. Literally any activity that the person didn’t want to do but through mental resilience they forced themselves to do it caused the Mid-Cingulate Cortex to grow. 

The results were equally impressive if they resisted doing something they actually wanted to do but did not do it where it took willpower to resist doing it. Such as eating a beautiful, creamy, frosted cupcake. Those who resisted with difficulty registered growth in this area of the brain. 

So, like any muscle on your body, you have the power to change your mid-cingulate cortex and increase the power of your will. If you want a thinner person’s cortex or will power, you just have to put forth a little effort. If you resist eating for longer periods of time you will actually be growing your mid cingulate cortex and strengthening you will power.

I know this is true because without any proir knowledge about it I tested it out. Six month prior to learning about this new science I decided to test the cold water therapy. Commonly referred to as Cold Plunging.  I took up cold water therapy because I heard it gave you a long-term dopamine hit and raised your baseline levels of dopamine. And I would say that it certainly does that also! 

Now just to give you perspective I hate cold showers. I hate cold water. I really just HATE being cold. TOTALLY! I hate the cold as much as I love coffee. So A LOT! But I had heard so much about cold therapy that I thought “ok I’ll just force myself to try it for 10 days”. I did it in the morning (or I wouldn’t have) when I had the most willpower. Everything is harder for your “will” when you are tired. Keep that in mind. The first 5 days was sheer torture. I mean like the rest of my being was cussing mad at my brain. But after 5 days I could feel the effects. I actually started to look forward to the challenge. I still hated the cold but it bothered me much less. 

The more interesting thing I was starting to notice though was that I was firmer with myself and others. Kept clearer and better boundaries in all aspects. Got more done every day. It was shocking. And eye-opening. Truly eye-opening. It made me respect myself more and in a different way. I found a deeper love and appreciation for myself. I thought when I first realized that I would enjoy the showers. NOPE! Not a change in _ _ _ _! I still hated it but a little less, and I knew it was worth it.

More recent studies have come out to show that it increases your metabolic rate by as much as 300% also. If you stay in the water for at least three rounds of shivering which only takes about 60 degree water and 6 minutes for most people. You can experiment to find the right temperature and time frame for you. Colder water is not actually any advantage it is the number of times you start to shiver, force yourself to relax and shiver organically again. I like about 50 degrees personally and I shiver about every 4-5 minutes. 

There is no other modality known that can increase your fat burning by 300% in 6-15 minutes time. And the white, unsightly belly fat is actually the first to go. (Scientifically proven, you can google it.) And I can attest to the validity of it as it is a part of my weekly fitness routine. Additionally it increases the white blood cell production, upregulates the immune system, causes draining of the lymphatic system and a long list of other things! This is the OG of metabolic hacks honestly!

At the time I had no idea I was actually growing a bigger brain. BONUS! I still do it 3-7 times a week. I have graduated to a cold plunge tank. I like it better. And I meditate for 13 minutes at a time. (The day I got in after breaking the ice in the tank was only 6 minutes though.) I am not Wim Hoff, the Ice man! And yep! I still hate it! But I do it anyway because it is transformative! 

Try the cold water. Whether you do the shower or a plunge doesn’t matter. If you do start slow. Even if its only 10 seconds the first day. Then 20. Then 30. Then 60. I do 13-15 minutes daily – yes it is still difficult. And embarrassingly I started with 10 seconds too. Not kidding. I hate the cold that much. But it is worth it.

No matter what you decide to do that is hard. All changes are hard and I am going to put a lot of ideas for change in front of you. I can assure you from experience that many, many, many of them will be hard. And you absolutely will grow your Mid Cingulate Cortex, and your will, as a result. BUT also, you will start standing up for yourself. You will put your needs in perspective and stand your ground. You will form healthy boundaries and force yourself and others to keep them. Trust me, it will happen as a beautiful and self-loving side effect! 

But whatever you decide to do, no new practice is a walk in the park. So don’t strive for perfection all the time. Just as much of the time as can be managed lovingly. And know that every trip and fall is a fall forward in your journey—a fall towards your destination. You are still on the path. Just dust off and get after it again. Never look back at a “fall”. Just fall forward and go! There are no failures. Don’t give up on your dreams. You can do it. And it will only get easier and easier as the Mid-Cingulate Cortex grows!

As an interesting side note – People who live the longest that was studied at 90+ years of age, have the largest mid-cingulate cortex. It was ultimately linked with the will to live. So get after it, and I’ll see you at 100!