The Rocky Road to Success: Lessons in Growth Mindset
A Note to Readers:
Last week I was out with my life long friend, Phil. He offered some helpful constructive criticism for The Real House MD, which was similar to what my other friend, Dr. Klepper, shared with me previously. I’ve been told that the blog is too long, and I should either create an audio/video version or podcast. I listened carefully and considered all his comments. I then realized the point he was trying to make was that if the blog is going to be long then it needs to have more “Rocky Balboa.” So here goes….
What is Growth Mindset?
“Growth mindset” was conceived by Stanford psychologist, Carol Dweck, and has become a popular term in psychology, teaching, coaching, and parenting. People who have adopted a growth mindset believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through hard work and practice. In contrast, people who have a fixed mindset believe that their most basic abilities are fixed or static. Even though positive traits aren't evenly spread among us, they're not necessarily beyond the grasp of those who aren't "natural" high achievers.
Growth Mindset Meets Orthopedics
In an Orthopedics practice we see patients with both mindsets. The patient with a fixed mindset often assumes there’s no correlation between their lifestyle choices and their poor health. They believe their diagnosis is either due to bad genetics or bad luck, and the solution is medicine and surgeries. We do see injuries that are linked to a rare occurrence, a moment of carelessness, or genetics but it’s far more often that these injuries are affected by lifestyle choices.
Ernest Hemingway once said there are two ways to go broke: gradually, then suddenly. Health is similar. It often deteriorates slowly until it collapses. You may be unaware that your joints are gradually suffering wear and tear because the pain often comes on suddenly. Pain is an early warning sign that you are at increased risk for chronic disease. Thankfully an orthopedic surgeon can usually help resolve a recent issue, but unless changes are made patients will suffer future issues in the same or other body parts.
Patients with a growth mindset often wonder what they can do to prevent a recurrence or problem in other areas of the body. They will ask if therapy and exercise can improve their issues. They wonder if supplements or improving their nutrition could diminish their symptoms. Aware of their genetic predispositions, they ask about the most effective strategies to avoid following the health paths of their parents or grandparents. In essence, they are curious, ready to learn, and eager to make lifestyle changes.
Improving Your Bone and Joint Health
David Yeager Ph.D. stated in a recent interview on Huberman Lab that a Growth Mindset is “your belief that your abilities in some domain can change.” In regards to orthopedics I believe that your bone and joint health can improve. Yeager further states “A huge confusion is some people think if you try hard you can do anything. Really under the right conditions, with the right support, change is possible.”
Here is the orthopedic issue. Many orthopedic joint issues can be improved or diminished with the right lifestyle changes. Unfortunately they cannot cure everything. Sometimes the damage is done. A patient with bone on bone knee arthritis will often ask if losing weight will heal their knee. Oftentimes reaching their ideal weight, consuming an antiinflammatory diet, and maintaining fitness with muscle strength and flexibility can help their joint pain. In cases of moderate arthritis it could even help avoid surgery forever. In more severe cases it may help delay surgery to a more convenient time or help speed up surgical recovery. Whereas in other cases it may not do anything for those struggling with severe arthritis, but it will likely help their other body parts with mild or moderate arthritis.
Rocky: The Ultimate Example of Growth Mindset
Patients who have a growth mindset believe their efforts will either benefit them in the short term or the long term. The best example to illustrate the power of growth mindset is the greatest movie character of all times - Rocky Balboa.
Rocky Balboa is an underachieving club fighter working on the side for a loan shark. He is a nice guy whose life is going nowhere until he lucks into a fight with the heavyweight champ. He decides to try his best and almost beats the heavyweight champ.
After watching “the Sunday Night Movie” in 1979 at 10 years old I realized that if I tried hard enough I could do anything. If I ran hard enough and did enough one armed push ups I could be a heavyweight champ. If I studied hard enough I could have any career I wanted. Whether I became an astronaut or the President of the United States, I knew my fate would be determined by my desire to put in the effort. It is not a bad attitude but it does come with the burden of responsibility. I knew if I didn’t succeed at something, especially areas where I was naturally gifted, it would be because I didn’t try hard enough.
Over the years I have likely seen Rocky 20 times and the 14th round several hundred times. As I have matured I realized I missed a few key points on my first veiwing. Firstly, I realized that while Rocky was a bum he did have inherent gifts and therefore as Dr. Yeager stated the “right conditions.'
In the above clip the old grizzled trainer, Mickey, loses his temper with Rocky. Not because he is a bully, but rather because Rocky has the potential to be a great fighter but wasted an opportunity. Later in the film, a scene unfolds as Rocky begins training and swiftly improves. Mickey remarks to the cutman, "I've never seen someone attack the body like this kid." Mickey's observation rings true; Rocky possesses innate talent for success. Similarly, in matters of health, our capacities differ greatly. While some people are naturally healthy, we all harbor the potential for improvement.
Having the Right Support System
The next important factor that Dr.Yeager mentions is having the right support system. Rocky has his trainer Mickey to teach and push him to be his best. One of the goals of The Real House MD is to teach you how to be healthy. In addition to your primary care physician, there are therapists, coaches, nutritionists, and personal trainers who are dedicated to teaching wellness.
If you have failed to improve your health in the past it is important to realize the data on exercise, sleep, and nutrition has improved tremendously in the last 10 years. Now is the time to try again.
In the case of Rocky, his support system included his girlfriend, Adrian, and his buddy, Paulie. Your significant other, like Adrian, should support you in your health goals. Paulie on the other hand is an interesting character. He is somewhat of a bum like Rocky. As Rocky turns his life around Paulie remains stagnant. Despite this he never tries to sabotage Rocky, he is always a supportive friend throughout the Rocky saga. As I discussed in Tribe Nutrition your friends and family do not need to join you in improving their health but they should be supportive.
Setting Realistic Goals
As Dr. Yeager states, change is possible, but you need to have realistic goals. Despite all his hard work Rocky realizes he cannot beat Apollo Creed. He does not have the talent to match Creed. So he makes a realistic goal. His goal is to go the distance with Creed which would be an amazing accomplishment.
In setting your goals make sure they are realistic. You need to understand your starting point. The goals of a pain free 20 year old are different from a 70 year old with established joint issues. You may want to be able to play sports with your grandkids when you are 80 or just be able to climb stairs independently. Regardless, you should start preparing now.
“A coach is someone who tells you what you don’t want to hear, Who has you see what you don’t want to see, So you can be who you always known you can be.”
- Tom Landry - former defensive coordinator New York Football Giants
Embracing a Growth Mindset
When it comes to your health the first step to changing a fixed mindset to a growth mindset is to understand that improving your health is possible. Physicians are usually very good at treating your ailments. The goal of modern and integrative physicians is to help you prevent future medical issues, and this requires some teaching and/or coaching.
If you have a growth mindset then this is relatively easy because you’re already receptive to the suggestions of your physician and other members of your wellness team. If you have a fixed mindset, it will be more challenging.
However, I’ve learned that it’s all about balance. In some situations a fixed mindset is actually beneficial. It takes the responsibility away from the patient and puts it all on the medical professional. For a single parent of a disabled child with limited emotional and financial support, they may not have an ounce of energy leftover for improving their health. In those types of situations physicians can only offer information and hope that the patient takes it well so that their situation can improve. Unfortunately, telling someone flat out what they need to do can be risky. It’s possible to not only lose a patient, but for that patient to never go to a doctor again.
Ultimately I believe it’s my responsibility as a doctor to do what’s best for you even when it means telling you what you don’t want to hear.
If you are eager to make a change, here is some motivation:
The best clip in movie history