Why Trusting Things to Work Out Is Like Eating Clean—And Distrust Is Junk Food for Your Mind
Every leader faces uncertainty. The decisions you make, the risks you take, the people you rely on—none of it comes with guarantees. Yet, some leaders move through challenges with a steady confidence, while others live in a state of stress and exhaustion. What separates them?
At the core of it is a simple but powerful truth: a fundamental distrust that things will work out is like eating junk food for your mind.
The Junk Food of Leadership: Distrust and Overstimulation
Imagine you’re hiking through the mountains, pushing toward a high ridge. If you’ve been living on junk food—over-processed, high-sugar, artificially stimulating snacks—you’ll feel the effects quickly. Your body gets a short-lived burst of energy, but soon you crash, feeling sluggish, depleted, and weak.
The same thing happens to your nervous system when you operate from a place of fundamental distrust. Distrusting that things will work out, that people will support you, that you have what it takes—it overstimulates your nervous system, sending you into a cycle of stress, hyper-vigilance, and exhaustion.
Like junk food, distrust feels like a shortcut. It’s easy to default to skepticism, to assume you need to control everything, to see threats everywhere. It can even feel productive—like you’re staying sharp and ahead of the game. But over time, this habit erodes your leadership stamina, your ability to think clearly, and your capacity to take bold, decisive action.
The Clean Fuel of Leadership: Deep Trust and Sustained Energy
Now, consider a different approach. Imagine fueling your body with real, nourishing food—simple, whole, and thoughtfully prepared. It might take more effort upfront, but it provides consistent, sustaining energy that carries you forward, even when the trail gets tough.
In leadership, deep trust functions the same way. Trusting that things will work out—no matter what—doesn’t mean being naïve. It means recognizing your own ability to adapt, pivot, and make things work. It means knowing that even if a decision leads to unexpected challenges, you have the capacity to handle them.
This kind of trust creates a sense of inner peace, which in turn supports better decision-making, stronger relationships, and a more resilient leadership style.
Trust and Adventure: The Ultimate Sustainable Leadership Energy Fuel
Many of the best leaders—especially those who are drawn to adventure—understand this at a deep level. When you’re climbing, skiing, or navigating unfamiliar terrain, doubt is natural. But if you don’t trust your abilities, your gear, or the process, you hesitate, overthink, and ultimately put yourself in more danger. The same is true in business and leadership.
When you shift from a diet of junk-food-like distrust to the clean fuel of trust, you’ll notice:
Less stress and exhaustion—your nervous system isn’t constantly in overdrive.
More clarity and decisiveness—you spend less time doubting and more time leading.
Stronger relationships—because people are drawn to leaders who trust and empower them.
Greater resilience—because you know you can handle whatever comes next.
How to Start Trusting More—And Leading Better
Notice the Junk Food – Pay attention to when your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios. Are you assuming things won’t work out? Are you overstimulating yourself with unnecessary worry?
Switch to Clean Fuel – Instead of reacting with doubt, take a breath and remind yourself: “No matter what happens, I can handle this.”
Test It in Small Ways – Try letting go of unnecessary control in a low-risk situation and see what happens. More often than not, things will work out just fine.
Train Your Mind Like Your Body – Just like you condition your body with real food and exercise, condition your mind with trust and perspective. Surround yourself with people who reinforce this mindset.
Lead with Trust, Lead with Strength
At the end of the day, leadership—like adventure—is about energy. Are you feeding yourself the mental equivalent of sugar and artificial stimulants? Or are you cultivating the deep, sustaining trust that allows you to navigate challenges with clarity and strength?
The leaders who thrive aren’t the ones who try to control every variable. They’re the ones who trust themselves and their teams to adapt, respond, and make things work—no matter what.
Which fuel are you running on?
Let’s have a conversation and see how a coaching partnership can support your leadership by walking the path of trust and adventure.
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