The Mountain is You: Transforming self-sabotage into self-mastery / Brianna Wiest

Because life is quick, and it’s temporary.

After reading The Let Them Theory, everything was leading me to this book, which had been on my radar for at least a year, and I can tell you it’s one of the best books I’ve read in this genre.

First, it really helps you understand how we live in a continuous cycle of self-sabotage in different ways. With very clear examples, the author makes you see things that at times are hard to accept—that we are not doing, and not being, our best version. Honestly, several “lightbulb moments” hit me where I clearly said, “this is self-sabotage.”

Chapter 1 – The Mountain is You. There is nothing holding you back in life more than yourself. What you believe about your life is what you will make true about your life.

Chapter 2 – There’s No Such Thing as Self-Sabotage. Your upper limit is essentially the amount of “good” you’re comfortable having in your life. Instead of perfection, focus on progress. Instead of having something done perfectly, focus on just getting it done. Your life is ultimately measured by your outcomes, not your intentions.

Chapter 3 – Your Triggers Are the Guides to Your Freedom. Here she talks about those emotions we feel and that, in many cases, we don’t allow ourselves to really experience, and of course, all of them have a reason for being. Right decisions create the right feelings. Your gut is deeply connected to your mind. Intuitive thoughts show you how to respond; invasive thoughts demand that you react.

Chapter 4 – Building Emotional Intelligence. This chapter was one of my favorites because it takes us to practice—that is, to action. This moment is not my life. It is a moment in my life. If we want to heal, we have to learn the process. Worrying is the weakest defense system.

Chapter 5 – Releasing the Past. One of the most difficult chapters, especially when it comes to putting into practice letting go of that past that is sometimes so hard to release. We are meant to change, and we are designed to evolve. As we carry unresolved emotions from day to day, we gradually move our past trauma into our future lives. You change your life when you start showing up exactly as you are. You change your life when you love yourself even though you don’t look exactly the way you want to. I loved this: Stop meditating to feel calm; start meditating just to feel.

Chapter 6 – Building a New Future. Design your life through your daily routine, and uncover your true purpose for being. What do you value? What do you genuinely care about? All the questions she asks in this chapter seem like incredibly important work that everyone should do at some point.

Chapter 7 – From Self-Sabotage to Self-Mastery. You are also capable of moving it forward. Emotions are temporary, but behaviors are permanent. You are always responsible for how you choose to act. The feeling of peace is the one telling you the truth. The quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life experiences.

I hope that after these extracts and fragments, I’ve persuaded you to read this book. There’s no better way to continue growing in life than by continuing to know ourselves and work on ourselves.

One day, the mountain that was in front of you will be so far behind you, it will barely be visible in the distance. But who you become in learning to climb it? That will stay with you forever.

---

Brianna Wiest 1992, in New York, USA, is an American bestselling author and writer known for her work in personal development, self‑reflection, and emotional growth. She writes books and essays focused on mindset, self‑sabotage, emotional intelligence, healing, and personal transformation. Published on 2020.