EP#509 - Aligning Intrinsic Motivations with Special Guest: Dr. Valerie Evans

The Mindful Experiment Podcast

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In this podcast episode, Dr. Valerie, a behavior analyst, discusses the principles of behavior analysis and its applications in understanding and changing behavior. She emphasizes the importance of identifying the contextual variables that influence learning and behavior patterns. Dr. Valerie explains that behaviors, even those considered unhelpful, serve a purpose and are part of an individual's behavioral ecology.

She shares insights from her experience in marital research, highlighting how understanding the function of responses can lead to more effective communication and problem-solving.

Dr. Valerie addresses common challenges in behavior change, particularly in health and weight loss. She distinguishes between two types of motivation: avoidance (doing something to escape or avoid negative outcomes) and pursuit (doing something to achieve positive outcomes). She argues that the latter, which involves positive reinforcement and accessing intrinsic values, is more sustainable. Dr. Valerie suggests that reconnecting with activities enjoyed in childhood or finding new value in necessary tasks can help maintain motivation.

The discussion also touches on practical strategies for fostering motivation, such as behavioral momentum—starting with easy tasks to build motivation for more challenging ones. Dr. Valerie underscores the importance of mental health and pursuing intrinsic values for long-term behavior change.

Who is Dr. Valerie Evans?

Valerie A. Evans, Ph.D. is a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst. She owns a continuing education business that reviews current research and best practices for behavior analysis programs. Dr. Evans has aspired to feel better about her body since the onset of puberty and has experience with just about every diet program. Two years ago, Valerie turned to diet apps to feel like herself again following surgery. However, instead of reconnecting with her body she felt more disconnected than ever—completely consumed with the diet app numbers game. It was then that she said “no weigh” to the counting, tracking, budgeting, and overall life-consuming task of restriction diets.

Dr. Evans responded by creating her own app, a diet program alternative called No Weigh. No Weigh shows users how to leverage behavior analysis devices to make simple adjustments to the contexts of their daily lives to maintain motivation and lose weight naturally.

How to Connect with Dr. Valerie?

Valerie's App (iOS and Android): https://noweigh.com/app

Website: http://noweigh.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-evans-a77990b/

Facebook: @no_weigh_app or https://www.facebook.com/noweighapp/about

Instagram: @no_weigh_app or https://www.instagram.com/no_weigh_app/

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