What If Thinking Harder Is Keeping You Stuck? Overcoming Decision Paralysis with Brent Lupia

What if the very intelligence that helped you succeed is now keeping you stuck? Lisa Lacy sits down with Brent Lupia, Performance and Clarity Coach and creator of Externalized Sensemaking™, to explore why intelligent, high-performing people struggle with overthinking, decision paralysis, and mental clarity. Drawing from 18 years in high-stakes security and intelligence operations, Brent shares what happens when a brain trained for urgency and immediate feedback encounters uncertainty, and why thinking harder isn’t always the answer. From recognizing hidden patterns and challenging assumptions to accountability, neurodivergence, and breaking cycles of self-sacrifice, this conversation goes far beyond productivity. Brent opens up about the role he performed to survive childhood, the cost of constantly stabilizing everyone around him, and how learning to understand his own mind helped him rediscover himself. Together, we explore how curiosity, self-awareness, and personal responsibility can help us move forward without losing ourselves in the process. In this episode, we explore: Overthinking and Decision Paralysis: Why intelligent people get trapped in mental loops and how a brain accustomed to high-pressure decisions struggles with uncertainty. Externalized Sensemaking™: How putting thoughts on paper makes hidden patterns, conflicting beliefs, and assumptions visible so we can approach problems differently. Clarity, Accountability, and Personal Growth: Why understanding a problem isn’t the same as changing a behavior, and how repetition, responsibility, and self-compassion support meaningful change. Neurodivergence, Masking, and Self-Discovery: Brent’s experience of recognizing his neurodivergence later in life, becoming the person who kept everyone else stable, and learning what it means to prioritize himself. Breaking Patterns Through Curiosity and Connection: Why asking better questions, challenging our perceptions, and recognizing our shared humanity can transform relationships and the way we navigate life. Connect with Brent | Brent Lupia Coaching https://brentlupia.com Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE https://lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.