Aug 12, 2022
Today I’m joined by Scott
Schutte and Dr. Janine Stichter, co-founders of the Healthy
Behavior Institute. Scott is a personal trainer, weight loss
behavior coach, gym owner, and fitness educator who has
successfully guided thousands of people on their fitness journey.
Janine (whom he calls “Dr. J”) has been in the field of behavior
change for over 20 years as a researcher, author, educator, and
practitioner.
Her career has focused on
understanding the “why” behind behavior and identifying clear
practices that are practical and result in sustained change. As
part of her research, she has procured over 14M in federal grants,
published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and three books. (As well
as chairing 40+ doctoral dissertations and masters committees,
providing over 150 international and national presentations, and
over 80 workshops.)
Together, they co-founded the
Healthy Behavior Institute, an educational platform for fitness
professionals and gym owners that specialize in behavior
modification. I was particularly interested in having on the show
because they are changing an industry where everyone has just sort
of accepted that people don't do what they “should,” yet where
everyone keeps doing the same thing over and over, expecting
different results instead of trying something new. Thankfully, they
have, and so I have asked them to enlighten us on the work they do
and the advice they would give to others looking to do something
similar – in any industry.
Show Notes:
- [00:44] In today's
conversation, I am joined by Scott Schutte and Dr. Janine Stichter
(Dr. J), co-founders of the Healthy Behavior Institute.
- [02:21] The Healthy Behavior
Institute is an educational platform for fitness professionals and
gym owners that specialize in behavior modification.
- [05:14] Scott shares about
himself, his background, and how his work is related to behavioral
science.
- [06:06] Dr. J shares about
herself, her background, and how her work is related to behavioral
science. She has a doctorate in behavioral analysis.
- [08:22] The case for the need
for behavioral science often comes from a health or wellness
example because it is an area where everyone knows what they
“should” do…but behavior rarely changes.
- [09:50] Many times fitness
trainers or the industry have misinformation because they are
looking at things through their own lens.
- [11:50] A lot of us can do
something for a period of time that is extreme but we don’t
maintain it.
- [12:15] Behavior does not
persist unless it is being reinforced and serving a
purpose.
- [12:56] When they talk about
the root causes they use the EATS Model - Escape, Attention,
Tangible, and Sensory.
- [14:21] If we can figure out
and help people figure out what the root cause of the behavior is
then we can find a replacement that matches that.
- [16:09] Your eating behaviors
and reasoning can flow throughout the day.
- [19:01] Having a guide through
these changes is the fast track and going to keep you on
point.
- [19:55] People go through
different stages of life so they have different wants and desires.
This is an ongoing process that we need to reevaluate and
reconfigure along the way.
- [23:16] We need to focus on the
minimum we need to do to trend in the direction of our goals.
Tracking or journaling can be a short term learning tool but it is
not something everyone has to do long term.
- [24:26] Your clients are coming
with different personalities and different ways they are naturally
wired – you need to meet them where they are at.
- [25:45] Using tracking or
journaling at certain points can be helpful when necessary to
educate or just give a better picture.
- [28:03] The EATS Model gives
you a place to start to try to understand the
behavior.
- [30:37] We don’t have to adjust
everything every day. We could make adjustments a few days a week
and still see an impact.
- [32:56] Understanding the
problem and the behavior shift you are trying to make is so
important.
- [34:32] Be cognizant of not
trying to address the symptom but actually look at the
why.
- [35:55] Behavior is a
manifestation of what is going on in our heads. It is just an
outward expression and we often need to get past that
symptom.
- [38:39] In behavior analysis
and research the EATS Model is called the four functions of
behavior and it applies to all industries.
- [39:48] Any one thing can be
all of those things (escape, attention, tangible, and sensory) at
any given time.
- [41:46] Melina shares her
closing thoughts.
- [43:26] Taking the time to
explore and explain how every behavior could be a source of Escape,
a way to get Attention, getting something Tangible, or being
Sensory is a great way to better understand (and potentially shift)
that behavior.
- [45:08] Thank you to Andrew
Gavigan for recommending this week’s guest! If you have a
recommendation for someone you think should be a guest on the show
or a concept or topic you want to be sure I cover please reach out
to me through email or social media.
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