Permission to Evolve

On the Permission to Evolve podcast, performance and life coach Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes discuss “permission to not care” as a way to manage energy in an overstimulated world. They explore how identity and safety needs can lock people into rigid routines and beliefs (“this is just what we do”), and how tools like the Enneagram can illuminate these patterns. Holly shares...

On Permission to Evolve, host performance and life coach Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes discuss “permission to stop carrying everybody,” building on last week’s theme of having limits. Holly shares her up-and-down training for an upcoming 200-mile gravel bike ride, including weather challenges, a recent accident, and the emotional swings of preparing for her longest solo event...

In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host performance and life coach Brandon and co-host/producer Holly Dechen discuss “permission to have limits,” focusing on overextending yourself, burnout, and using reality-based self check-ins (stress load, sleep, nervous system state) to understand day-to-day capacity. Holly asks how to balance assuming people are “doing their best” versus recognizing wh...

Brandon ThIelk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes open with reflections on Ironman Texas, noting how fast the sport has become, difficult weather, crashes, and a tragic swim drowning. They then explore “permission to be goalless,” arguing that over-attachment to outcomes can create disappointment, burnout, and tunnel vision, while a process-first approach builds sustainable progress. In the ques...

On Permission to Evolve, host and performance/life coach Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes do an “Ask Me Anything” episode as Brandon shares recent travel (Tucson cycling camp, Las Vegas experiences like the Sphere’s Wizard of Oz and a Vegas show) and his upcoming trip to Ironman Texas to support clients while revisiting Houston. Brandon discusses how he relates to sports now (mo...

Host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes recap their Oceanside, California trip and introduce the episode theme, “permission to reflect,” sparked by a viral clip of Mark Andreessen saying he doesn’t self-reflect. Brandon argues reflection is essential for learning, breaking old survival patterns, and reducing negative impact on others, while also warning against getting stuck in ov...

From Oceanside, California ahead of the Oceanside 70.3 Ironman, host performance and life coach Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes explore “permission to be weird” as the path to authenticity and standout performance. They discuss how childhood conditioning and fear of judgment keep people conforming, and why growth requires being willing to be misunderstood, overcoming self-consc...

Willingness, Wake-Up Calls, and Building a New Identity Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes discuss “permission to think bigger,” starting with a question about why people often need pain to become willing to change. Brandon explains that ego, emotional disconnection, and defensiveness can block feedback until a “wake-up call” like fear of loss, health scares, or consequences affec...

Host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes discuss “permission to regulate,” defining regulation as balancing the nervous system by moving from fight/flight/fawn/freeze into a calm, present, parasympathetic state so reactions aren’t driven by unresolved past pain. Brandon explains dysregulation as being emotionally stuck in unprocessed experiences that create triggers, leading to out...

Brandon, host of Permission to Evolve, joins co-host/producer Holly Deschenes from Tucson, Arizona to discuss “permission to be uncomfortable” through his first cycling-camp experience despite not being a cyclist. Invited by a client who runs an endurance and nutrition program, Brandon attends a five-day retreat run by The Cycling House with guides, support vans, a chef, and a group ranging from h...

Regulation, Rage, and Healing Suppressed Emotions Brandon Thielk and co-host Holly Deschenes open with a disclaimer that they are not medical professionals and encourage seeking professional help when needed. They discuss “permission to feel it” through the lens of rage, arguing that unprocessed emotions and crossed boundaries can build into dysregulation and loss of control, and that regulation m...

Letting Goals Develop, Trusting the Unknown, and Building Self-Trust Host Brandon Thielk and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes discuss “permission to let things develop,” emphasizing that the mind relies on the past to predict the future, which can limit growth when pursuing new goals. Brandon explains that uncertainty is part of leveling up, and that trying to lock in outcomes too early can “sell...

Trauma, Visibility, and Performing Under Pressure (Olympics, Rebranding, and Breakthroughs) Host Brandon Thielk (performance and life coach) and co-host/producer Holly Deschenes open the “Permission to Evolve” episode with Brandon’s recent trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where constant rain shifted plans from beach time to rainforest adventures (natural waterslides, rope swings, cliff diving) and p...

Welcome to a special edition of 'Permission to Evolve' with your host, Brandon Thielk, performance and life coach, joined by co-host Holly Deschenes. In this milestone episode celebrating a year of the podcast, Brandon dives deep into the Ask Me Anything (AMA) session where he fields questions about his biggest influences, somatic space, and the intricate connection between physical injuri...

In this episode of 'Permission to Evolve,' performance and life coach Brandon Thielk, along with co-host Holly Deschenes, explores the concept of giving oneself permission to dig deeper. Building on last week's theme of persistence, they discuss the importance of understanding and conquering personal barriers through introspection and emotional regulation. Brandon shares his personal j...

Navigating the Journey of Continuous Growth and Resilience In this episode of 'Permission to Evolve,' hosts Brandon Thielk, a performance and life coach, and Holly Deschenes explore the theme of perseverance. They discuss the importance of continuing forward despite challenges and the mindset needed to overcome obstacles. They elaborate on the significance of enjoying the journey rather th...

Unlocking the Power of Openness: A Journey into Self-Discovery and Quantum Physics In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk, a performance and life coach, along with co-host and producer Holly Deschenes, delve into the theme of openness to possibilities. Building on previous discussions, they explore the impact of past conditioning on our mindset and the necessity of embracing...

Welcome to the latest episode of Permission to Evolve with host Brandon Thielk, a performance and life coach, and his co-host, Holly Deschenes. Brandon and Holly discuss the nuances of starting the new year with intent, focusing on commitment, self-discovery, and the journey of evolving beyond past limitations. They delve into the challenges of setting and adjusting goals, the significance of inte...

In this enlightening episode of 'Permission to Evolve,' host Brandon Thielk, a performance and life coach, and co-host Holly Deschenes discuss the concept of 'Permission to Be Misunderstood' as they enter the new year. They dive into the common challenges faced during personal growth and change, such as setting boundaries and dealing with feelings of disconnection from others. Bran...

Building Self-Belief and Overcoming Challenges In this special episode of 'Permission to Evolve', host Brandon Thielk, a performance and life coach, along with co-host Holly Deschenes, dive deep into the concept of 'permission to believe.' Filmed in Brandon's hometown of Chicago, this post-Christmas, pre-New Year episode reminisces about the past inspirations such as Michael Jo...

Join host Brandon Thielk, a performance and life coach, and his co-host Holly Deschenes as they explore the concepts of slowing down, being still, and giving yourself permission to create. In this enlightening episode of 'Permission to Evolve,' they discuss the mechanics of creating a vision and aligning with the process to create momentum. Learn about overcoming personal and external chal...

Finding Your Center: The Power of Stillness in a Chaotic World In this episode of Permission to Evolve, host Brandon Thielk, a performance and life coach, joins co-host and producer Holly Deschenes to discuss the foundational concept of giving oneself permission to be still. Brandon delves into the importance of reconnecting with our inner selves, untouched by external chaos, and the role this pla...

Welcome to 'Permission to Evolve,' hosted by performance and life coach Brandon Thielk, with co-host Holly Deschenes. As the year winds down, Brandon and Holly explore the crucial concept of giving yourself permission to slow down and reflect. They delve into how our pre-programmed, automatic reactions can hold us back and the importance of rewiring our nervous system for better responses....

In this episode of 'Permission to Evolve,' host Brandon Thielk, alongside co-host Holly Deschenes, delves into the concept of 'awakening.' As they approach the holiday season, Brandon explores the importance of questioning and understanding the patterns and beliefs shaped by our upbringing and family dynamics. The discussion covers the distinction between awakening and midlife cris...

Recalibrating Relationships: Finding Balance and Authenticity In this episode of 'Permission to Evolve,' hosts Brandon Thielk and Holly Deschenes delve into the topic of recalibrating relationships. They explore the importance of maintaining healthy dynamics, the impact of personal growth on relationships, and the necessity of vulnerability. They also discuss the transformative power of au...