Happy & Healthy with Amy

Why Knowing What to Do Isn't Enough with Dr. Howie Jacobson (Part 1 of 2)

• Amy Lang • Season 2 • Episode 34

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0:00 | 47:33

Have you ever thought, I know what to do… so why am I still not doing it?

In this episode, Amy sits down with behavior change expert and high performance coach Dr. Howie Jacobson to unpack the deeper reasons habits feel so hard to change. They explore why willpower and insight are often not enough, how your environment shapes behavior, and how hidden "implicit memories" can quietly drive your choices without you even realizing it.

If you've ever felt guilty that even the fear of Alzheimer's hasn't been enough to make change stick, this conversation will be a relief. Dr. Howie explains exactly why fear is the wrong fuel for lasting behavior change — and what works instead.

This conversation is especially powerful if you've ever felt frustrated by the gap between knowing and doing. You'll hear why some habits are less about food, discipline, or motivation — and more about old survival strategies your brain never updated. And why that's actually good news.

Dr. Howie Jacobson has spent decades studying human behavior and motivation. He co-authored Whole with Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Proteinaholic with Dr. Garth Davis, and has worked with leaders, health coaches, and everyday people trying to close the gap between who they are and who they want to be. Amy met him at the Neural World Retreat hosted by Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai — and has been trying to get him on the podcast ever since.

In this episode, Amy and Dr. Howie discuss:

  • Why insight alone doesn't create behavior change
  • How old survival patterns can show up in present-day habits
  • What may actually be underneath "I know what to do, I'm just not doing it"
  • Better questions to ask instead of "What's wrong with me?"
  • How curiosity produces as much dopamine as food, sex, or cocaine

What To Listen For

  • [00:00] Why insight alone is not enough
  • [03:01] The power of environment over willpower
  • [10:03] Explicit vs. implicit memory
  • [12:45] The knowing-doing gap explained
  • [15:10] Why some behaviors are really old survival strategies in disguise
  • [25:58] Why fear of Alzheimer’s isn't enough to create lasting lifestyle change
  • [27:15] The “fire alarm” and threat-detection in your brain 
  •  [33:20] Why fear is not a long-term motivator
  •  [33:41] Defend mode vs. discover mode

Listen if:

  • You feel stuck in habits you thought you'd have changed by now
  • You're worried about brain health or have a family history of Alzheimer's
  • You're tired of relying on willpower — or guilt — to motivate change
  • You want to understand the deeper emotional drivers behind your behavior
  • You're ready for a more compassionate and effective path to lasting change

Resources:

  • Take the "Is It Just Brain Fog?" Quiz: moxie-club.com
  • Learn more about Dr. Howie Jacobson: howiejacobson.com
  • Dr. Howie's podcast: Plant Yourself — plantyourself.com

RESOURCES: