In preparation for the new year (and the resolutions that come with it), today’s episode is all about goal setting and behavior change. Eric and Greg have a long, evidence-based conversation about the research on setting effective goals and successfully changing health behaviors. The discussion yields several evidence-based tips for setting better goals and maximally supporting your ability to achieve them.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Receive our Research Spotlight emails, and check out our Facebook group and subreddit.

MacroFactor

If you want to learn more about our MacroFactor diet app, check it out here.
To join in on the MacroFactor conversation, check out our Facebook group and subreddit.

Bulk Supplements

Finally, next time you stock up on supplements from BulkSupplements.com, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.

TIME STAMPS

Intro/Announcements (0:00)

Road to the Stage / Road to Athens (2:29)

Feats of Strength (4:12)

Research Review: Goal setting and behavior change (9:54)

Fake urgency (12:06)

The time to act is now: pseudo-systematic review

Success rates of New Year’s Resolutions (14:36)

Temporal landmarks (22:19)

SMART goals (27:31)

SMART criteria

Creating a goal hierarchy (30:19)

How Focusing on Superordinate Goals Motivates Broad, Long-Term Goal Pursuit: A Theoretical Perspective

Superordinate goals (34:16)

How Focusing on Superordinate Goals Motivates Broad, Long-Term Goal Pursuit: A Theoretical Perspective

Equifinality and Multifinality (41:12)

Mental contrasting (44:12)

Approach versus avoidance (52:37)

Goal Setting and Action Planning for Health Behavior Change

Flexible versus rigid restraint (56:16)

Towards a Sustainable Nutrition Paradigm in Physique Sport: A Narrative Review

Process versus outcome (1:01:28)

The Way is the Goal: The Role of Goal Focus for Successful Goal Pursuit and Subjective Well-Being

Mastery versus performance (1:06:05)

Goal Setting and Action Planning for Health Behavior Change

Goal difficulty; “slack with a cost” (1:13:44)

Goal Setting and Action Planning for Health Behavior Change
The Benefits of Emergency Reserves: Greater Preference and Persistence for Goals that Have Slack with a Cost

Setting specific goals (1:23:12)

Implementation intentions (1:23:47)

Stimulus control; modifying your environment (1:30:24)

Changing circumstances, disrupting habits

Social support and feedback (1:33:08)

How MacroFactor supports evidence-based goal striving and behavior change (1:45:06)

To Play Us Out: Protein Bread, Winter Break (1:54:54)

MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM

Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.
Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.
Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.
BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.
MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.

How to Make $1M in the NEW Era of AI (2026) - Dan Martell Interview

Chew the Fat

Purpose sits next to pain

The AI-powered Podcast Player