Full Mental Bracket

Your potential isn’t just who you might become — it’s a stockpile of skills, strengths, and opportunities you can start unlocking today.

Most of us underestimate what we’re capable of. We get stuck in comfort, self-doubt, fear of failure, or old stories that keep us from real personal growth and the next level of our lives.

In this episode of Full Mental Bracket, Brent and Camille Diggs break down the psychology of human potential, the habits that keep you small, and the practical steps that help you build confidence, courage, and mome...

What if the biggest limits in your life aren’t your circumstances—but your interpretations?

In this episode, we break down your locus of control and show you how shifting your focus can transform frustration into forward momentum.  

Are you living at the mercy of your circumstances—or are you actually more in control than you think? In this episode of The Full Mental Bracket, Brent and Camille Diggs unpack the psychology behind the locus of control, the beliefs that quietly shape how you interpret challenges, setbacks, and opportunities.  
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What if your failures aren’t setbacks—but proof that you’re becoming the hero of your own story? Before every breakthrough comes a dozen breakdowns, and each one is shaping who you’re meant to be.

In this episode of Full Mental Bracket, Brent and Camille Diggs dive into the try-fail cycle — a key part of the Hero’s Journey that reveals how every struggle, setback, and false start is part of your transformation.

You’ll discover how the psychology of resilience and the science of dopamine w...

What if The Princess Bride wasn’t just a fairy tale—but a masterclass in mindset?

In this episode of Full Mental Bracket, Brent and Camille Diggs dive deep into the timeless classic The Princess Bride to uncover what it teaches us about growth vs. fixed mindset, true love, and resilience in the face of failure. 💪❤️

You’ll learn:
🔹 Which characters demonstrate a true growth mindset (and which don’t)
🔹 Why even the strongest people lose their edge when they stop growing
🔹 How failure actually fuels transformation—and...

This episode is a little different — we’re pulling back the curtain.

We’re not gurus who’ve transcended struggle; we’re right there in the trenches, living our own stories and figuring things out one chapter at a time.

In this special State of the Show episode, Brent and Camile talk honestly about:
🔹 The surprising progress of the show so far
🔹 What’s changing and what’s next for Full Mental Bracket
🔹 How recent challenges have shaped both us and the project

If you’ve ever wondered what’s happening behind the mic — or you jus...

Why do we keep holding on to things that aren’t working? That’s the sunk cost effect—a powerful cognitive bias that often traps us in failure. But in the right context, it can also fuel perseverance and growth. In this episode, Brent explores what the sunk cost effect is, why it can both sabotage and support us, and how to know the difference. Through personal stories and psychology insights, you’ll learn how to turn sunk costs into meaning, motivation, and momentum. What You’ll Learn
The psychology behind the sunk cost effectHow to recognize when it’s...

In this episode of Full Mental Bracket, we continue our powerful conversation with Seargent Major David Spencer as he opens up about his journey with PTSD recovery and the strategies that helped him heal.

👉 What you’ll learn in this episode:
What PTSD really is and how to recognize its triggersWhy community and support systems are essential for recoveryHow journaling can process emotions and reduce stressDavid’s three circles model of friendship for mental healthThe healing power of emotional support animals, inc...

When the earthquake hit, I was in the shower. Fifteen seconds of violent shaking, fifteen seconds of relief… and then panic. Was my wife safe? What followed was a desperate race home through steep hills and broken roads, and into a moment that changed my marriage, my mindset, and my definition of resilience forever. In this episode, I share my true earthquake survival story — not just about escaping danger, but about how one terrifying day became the foundation for a stronger, more connected relationship. You’ll hear how we turned a life-threatening disaster into a lifelong reminder that if we...

In this special episode of the Full Mental Bracket Podcast, Brent sits down with U.S. Army Sergeant Major (Ret.) David Spencer, a third-generation veteran who served in Desert Storm, Iraq, and more. David shares his firsthand experiences from over 30 years in the military and opens up about the mental health challenges veterans face, including combat-related PTSD.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Real stories from a retired Army Sergeant MajorThe stress and trauma of military deploymentsUn...

In this nostalgic, funny, and deeply relatable episode, we travel back to the 1980s—a time of questionable parenting, dangerous toys, and a golden fiberglass skateboard known only as The Yellow Peril.

What starts as a childhood story about learning one flashy but useless trick turns into something much more meaningful: a reflection on the habits we cling to, the ways we try to feel powerful, and what it takes to grow beyond what's familiar.

You'll hear:
Why we stick with the "one trick" that once made us feel strongHow failure and frustration shape our co...

What if a fairly-tale ending was only the beginning of your story together?

In this powerful episode of Full Mental Bracket, hosts Brent and Camille Diggs break down the fairytale myth of "happily ever after” and get real about what long-term relationships actually require: growth, communication, and resilience.

Featured Story: Brent opens up about his emotional return from Desert Storm and how it tested his marriage—shedding light on the messy, beautiful truth about partnership and healing.

What You’ll Learn:
Why re...

It started with a discovery in the kitchen pantry—a seemingly ordinary bottle, a curious childhood question, and a gentle dismissal. Years passed. Life moved on. But some things have a way of waiting quietly in the background, untouched, unresolved, and full of meaning we don’t yet understand.

In this episode, I tell a personal story about something small that turned out to be anything but. It’s about what we delay, what we deem too special to use, and what happens when we hold on for “someday” that never comes. 

🎧 In this story, we explore:
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Feel like everyone’s watching your every move? You’re not alone—it’s called the spotlight effect.  

In this thought-provoking episode of Full Mental Bracket, hosts Brent and Aaron unpack why we often feel like we’re constantly under scrutiny. From brain biases like egocentrism to scenes in The Truman Show or The Lonely Guy, we explore how this illusion shapes self-perception, anxiety, and missed opportunities.  

What You’ll Learn:  
• Why our brain exaggerates how much others notice us
• How movies reflect our real-life social anxiety
• How the spotlight effect impacts risk-taking & personal growth
...

What happens when you move to a new place hoping for a fresh start—only to find yourself falling into the same old patterns?

In this mini-episode, Brent shares a personal story from his senior year of high school: a move across town, a new school, and an unexpected lesson in identity. What began as an opportunity to reinvent himself quickly turned into a wake-up call—revealing that true change doesn’t come from new surroundings but from a new mindset. 💭 You’ll learn:
Why we unconsciously recreate our social rolesHow your beliefs teach others how to treat youTh...

In this episode of the Full Metal Bracket, hosts Brent and Camille Diggs dive deep into the concept of the hero's journey and its profound impact on marriage. With 35 years of experience together, they explore how viewing life as an epic story can enhance your relationship and personal growth.

Join them as they discuss:
The importance of recognizing multiple protagonists in your life story, especially within a marriage.How to support each other through challenges and celebrate victories together.The significance of making intentional decisions over emotional reactions in a partnership.Strategies for effective communication and accountability...

In this mini-episode, we dive into a humorous yet poignant story about a feral cat encounter in a warehouse that leads to a deeper reflection on letting go of toxic habits and relationships.

Join me as we explore the importance of recognizing what truly matters in life, distinguishing between what’s worth fighting for and what needs to be released.

With a mix of personal anecdotes and insightful advice, this episode encourages listeners to heal and move forward.

Don’t forget to check out our website, FullMentalBracket.com, for more resources, articles, and engaging cont...

Gratitude can sometimes feel like a challenge, but why is that?

In this episode Brent Diggs and Arron Shafer dive into the psychology behind gratitude, exploring why it’s often hard to practice, why it’s so important, and most importantly, how you can get better at it.

We’ll break it down using three key cognitive biases:
Negativity Bias: Why we focus more on the bad than the good.WYSIATI (What You See Is All There Is): How limited information shapes our perspective.Hedonic Treadmill: The cycle of constantly chasing more without appreciating what we hav...

What makes life meaningful? Is it about finding a grand purpose, or is meaning something we create for ourselves? In this episode, we dive deep into the difference between meaning in life vs. the meaning of life—and how understanding your values can help you build a fulfilling existence.

If you’ve ever felt lost, uncertain, or just curious about what truly matters, this episode is for you!

Here’s a sneak peek of what we cover: 
The Power of Values – We all have values, but the way we prioritize them shapes our experiences, relationships, and even...

Check it out

Are you building a legacy with your life? Is it one you want to be known for?

There is a point in every hero’s journey where you return home, but you don’t come back empty-handed. You bring back all the wisdom and skill you have learned in your adventures, which then become a resource for others.

But sometimes you get glimpse of what you’re bringing back, and you don’t like what you see.

In this episode we wrap up our mini-series on seeing your life as an epic story. We explore...

Ever feel stuck or trapped in a rut? Like you're moving in circles but not getting anywhere? It’s easy to feel lost, but every great story is a tale of transformation. If you’re not seeing change, it might be time to look closer at the struggles you’re choosing to face.   

In this episode, we dive deep into:   

🔹 Choosing the right struggles for growth – How to identify which battles will help you evolve 
🔹 The paradox of hope – Why hope can both inspire and hinder us, and how to use it to fuel transformation 
🔹 The negative tr...

Ever imagine what life would be like if you could just remove all the obstacles and struggles holding you back? We often dream of smooth paths, but what if those very struggles are the key to unlocking the greatness in your life?   

What if your challenges, the moments that seem to slow you down, are actually the secret ingredients needed to craft your epic story of transformation? Just like every unforgettable hero’s journey, no great tale is complete without the adversity that pushes us to evolve.   

In this episode, we explore:   

🔹 Normalizing Struggles – Why embracing...

Do you feel alone on the journey to achieve your goals?

Do you find yourself echoing the lone-wolf mentality that fills so much of our media and culture?

Join us as we explore the importance of assembling allies on your personal quest for meaning and fulfillment. Learn how our perceptions of lone heroes in media can mislead us into thinking we must go it alone, when in fact, true strength lies in collaboration and support.

Chapters: 
(00:00:00) - Welcome
(00:00:55) - Our Mistakes and Growth Mindset
(00:04:39) - <...