Learning to grow through patience, structure, and letting go of ego in training and life
Most of us start something new with big expectations. We want quick progress, visible results, and the feeling that we’ve finally figured it out. Then reality hits—plateaus, setbacks, old patterns, and the quiet voice that says maybe we’re not cut out for this.
I’ve been thinking about that tension a lot lately. That’s why I was glad to sit down with Ashtyn Johnson for this episode of Phil Phails. Ashtyn is a running and lifting coach in Austin who runs Propulsion. She’s also one of the most intentional, detail-oriented coaches I’ve ever trained with. Our conversation went far beyond sets and reps into what lifelong learning mindset really looks like in practice.
What a Closed Mindset Costs Us
Ashtyn put it simply: one of the clearest ways to fail at lifelong learning is to adopt a closed, or fixed, mindset. The belief that you’ve already mastered something, or that you’re “done” learning.
She’s seen it in athletes who think they know everything after years in one sport. She’s lived it herself—moving through powerlifting, marathons, triathlons, and coaching while constantly updating her approach. Even with fourteen certifications, she still approaches her own training and her clients as a student.
That openness matters. A fixed mindset stops you from adapting when life throws new challenges—whether that’s injury, changing priorities, or simply realizing your old methods no longer serve you.
The Power of Breaking Things Down
One thing that stands out about Ashtyn’s coaching is how she teaches movement. Instead of throwing complex exercises at people, she breaks them into digestible pieces. We spent multiple classes on just parts of the Turkish get-up—floor press, half get-up, lunges—building understanding and safety before putting it all together.
This approach isn’t flashy, but it’s effective. It respects the body’s need for time and repetition. It prioritizes longevity over ego. And it mirrors what lifelong learning actually requires: patience, attention to detail, and the willingness to slow down when your instinct is to rush ahead.
Letting Go, Acceptance, and Realistic Expectations
A big theme in our talk was the importance of letting go. Not just physically—releasing tension in a lift—but emotionally. Ashtyn talked about making plans for feelings the same way we plan for studying or training. You fail a test or miss a PR? Feel it, learn from it, then let it pass instead of carrying it forward.
This connects directly to self-worth. Many people struggle with consistency because they don’t believe they deserve the investment. Ashtyn’s own journey—getting her first semester of school paid for by a client, pushing through ADHD, building her business—shows what happens when someone starts treating their growth as worthy of time, money, and attention.
Discipline, Community, and Finding Balance
We also touched on the social side of training. For me, showing up at the gym has been as much about connection as it has been about getting stronger. Ashtyn gets that, but she also sees the risk of overdoing it—two-a-days without enough recovery, chasing community at the expense of sustainability.
Her advice was grounded: be intentional about how you spend your training time. Don’t mindlessly stack workouts. Build a plan that matches your actual goals and life stage.
My Personal Reflection
Talking with Ashtyn reminded me how much I still resist slowing down. I like intensity. I like showing up and pushing. But I’ve also felt the cost—nagging injuries, mental fatigue, the sense that I’m doing a lot without always moving forward in the right direction.
What challenged me most was her emphasis on realistic expectations. Progress isn’t always linear or dramatic. Sometimes it’s shaving seconds off a time you’ve been chasing for years. Sometimes it’s simply showing up consistently when motivation is gone.
I’ve been rethinking how I structure my training. More intention. More recovery. More willingness to let go of what isn’t serving the bigger picture. Ashtyn’s calm, no-nonsense approach to movement has quietly influenced how I think about growth in other areas of life too.
Practical Takeaways
- Break complex skills into smaller, manageable pieces and master each one before combining them.
- Build realistic expectations based on where you actually are, not where you wish you were.
- Create plans for your emotions and setbacks the same way you plan your training.
- Prioritize longevity and safety over ego-driven intensity.
- Invest in yourself consistently—even when progress feels slow.
- Surround yourself with people who challenge and support your growth, but protect your energy from draining relationships.
- Notice when you’re moving mindlessly and bring intention back to your breath, your form, and your purpose.
Conclusion
Lifelong learning isn’t about collecting certificates or chasing perfection. It’s about staying open, moving with intention, and treating your growth as something worth protecting. Ashtyn’s approach shows that real strength comes from curiosity, discipline, and the quiet courage to keep showing up as you are.
I left our conversation feeling steadier. Not because I have all the answers, but because I remember that the work itself—learning, adjusting, letting go—is the point.
Guest Bio
Ashtyn Johnson has spent 16 years transforming lives as a coach in Austin, Texas. She has directed massive programs, including a 500-runner marathon initiative, but thrives most in one-on-one and small group settings where she can drive personal improvement. A lifelong learner, her diverse certifications include USA Track & Field, CrossFit Endurance, StrongFirst Elite, and the American Mountain Guide Association, alongside 22 years of experience in cosmetology.
Ashtyn’s athletic achievements include competing at the national level in USA triathlons, placing 3rd in state powerlifting, and completing a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim traverse. She has conquered multiple 14,000-foot peaks, finished countless marathons, and organized a 12-hour overnight run for her 37th birthday.
Grounded in psychology, Ashtyn’s coaching uncovers the fears holding clients back. She guides people toward self-regulation, confidence, and intentionality, applying lessons learned through movement to every aspect of life.
👉 Find Ashtyn:
- Instagram: @propulsionfit
- Website: propulsionfit.com
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