How to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone With 'Yes Theory' Host Thomas Brag

Thomas Brag, guest of The Verywell Mind Podcast

Verywell / Julie Bang

Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life.

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Meet Thomas Brag

Thomas Brag is one of the founders of Yes Theory, a group that challenges people to step outside their comfort zones. Yes Theory has garnered a massive following, including more than six million YouTube subscribers who are interested in seeing Thomas and his co-hosts perform dangerous stunts or hazardous pranks.

But Thomas and the other two hosts of Yes Theory don't just do these difficult tasks to attract views. Instead, they're doing them to challenge themselves.

Why Thomas Brag Is Mentally Strong

Yes Theory’s motto is “Seek Discomfort,” and Thomas has made it his mission to put this motto into practice. Whether he’s challenging himself to strike up a conversation with a stranger or he’s visiting a new country by himself, he goes out of his way to do things that feel uncomfortable.

What You'll Hear on the Show

  • What it really means to get out of your comfort zone (and the benefits of doing so)
  • How to create deeper, more meaningful relationships
  • How to experience more compassion and express more kindness
  • How to develop more courage
  • Tips for ensuring social media is playing a healthy role in your life
  • Strategies for overcoming social anxiety
  • How to be kinder to yourself

What You'll Learn About Seeking Discomfort and Mental Strength

Our natural tendency is to run from things that feel uncomfortable. But the more you escape discomfort, the less tolerable uncomfortable things will feel. Escaping anything that causes even the slightest bit of distress decreases your tolerance for discomfort.

When you force yourself to experience difficult things, you’ll learn that you’re stronger than you think. And you’ll discover that although things like embarrassment and failure feel uncomfortable, you can handle it. You’ll build confidence in yourself, and you’ll create a richer, more fulfilling life.

Quotes From Thomas

Thomas Brag

Most of the fulfilling moments in your life happen when you challenge yourself, when you do things you didn’t know you were capable of, and when you explore new places.

— Thomas Brag
  • "The moments you’re willing to overcome situations that (in your mind) are scary often leave you on the other side feeling stronger, feeling braver, and feeling fulfilled."
  • "There are so many amazing people that you can just randomly meet with the most incredible stories that you’d never expect."
  • "Be kind to yourself. Be patient. Take things step by step. And I promise it's going to work out."
  • "Discomfort never feels good in the moment. But then when you come out of it, you realize how valuable the experience was."
  • "Getting out of our comfort zones can be a truly life-changing trajectory, not only for ourselves, but also for our friendships.”

More About the Podcast

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Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.

Links and Resources

By Amy Morin, LCSW
Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.