There is an elephant 🐘 in your room

and those who ask “why” or “what if” evolve faster

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Picture yourself at the edge of the stage, about to deliver the most important speech of your career. Your pulse races, the audience’s murmur fills the air, your hands shake slightly, and you can envision nailing every word.

The prep is over—now it’s time to step up and shine.

But if I asked, ‘Have you truly done all you could to bring your absolute best to this moment, right here, today?’ what’s going inside you?

Confidence or uncertainty? Thrill or dread? If you lean into that feeling fully, you might just catch sight of your elephant.

It’s the hesitation, the worry, the urge to measure up to others, the pressure from outside voices, the fatigue, or the mask you think you need to wear.

Our elephants reflect unconscious or hidden aspects of our thoughts, behaviours or emotions.

Your elephant can and will show up in those moments when you need to ‘lift’ under pressure and bring the best version of you. These are the moments that define your story - Dr Jo Brown

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See Your Elephant: Discover What's Holding You Back from Your True Potential is a guide for uncovering and shattering your personal barriers so you can become your best self - by being vulnerable, more authentic (to yourself).

Whether you're aiming to reach a personal milestone or striving for Olympic gold, this book shares transformative strategies to break through your limits.

Here are the big ideas from the book 📕

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Curiosity Fuels Your Hunt for Greatness

Curiosity is the spark that ignites your journey to uncover your true potential. It’s the engine driving you to question, explore, and dig deeper into what’s holding you back.

Without it, your elephant—the blind spot between you and greatness—stays hidden.

I’ve seen it with athletes: those who ask “why” or “what if” evolve faster. “Curiosity drives innovation and creativity by transcending traditional thinking boundaries,” I argue, and it’s true for you too. Start asking: What could my elephant be? Let that question pull you toward the answers.: Dr Jo Brown

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Listen to the audiobook summary of See Your Elephant (your subscription is synced with Spotify and Apple Podcasts)

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Vulnerability Opens the Door to Self-Awareness

To see your elephant, you’ve got to get vulnerable—strip away the armor and face the raw stuff. It’s tough, especially for high performers who crave control, but it’s the blank canvas where truth emerges.

“Vulnerability creates a space where you can see the elephant,” and it’s non-negotiable.

Ask yourself: What holds me back from being vulnerable? That’s where your hunt begins.

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Authenticity Cuts Through the Camouflage

Your elephant hides behind inauthenticity—pretending to be someone you’re not. Being real with yourself is the accelerator that reveals it. I’ve worked with athletes who couldn’t perform until they dropped the mask.

“You will never see your elephant unless you can be honest and authentic with yourself,” because it’s a reflection of your self-awareness. Are you avoiding something right now? Get blunt, get honest—your greatness depends on it.

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Courage Turns Fear into Growth

Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s facing it head-on to grow. It’s the catalyst that transforms your elephant from a threat into a challenge. I’ve seen legends like Federer and Nadal wield it daily.

“When we stand in courage, we stand up for our beliefs and values,” aligning actions with who we are.

Why do you want to see your elephant? Answer that, and you’ll find the guts to stare it down.

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Your Elephant Shows Up Under Pressure

High-pressure moments—when your legs tremble and the crowd roars—are prime elephant territory. It’s the doubt, fear, or exhaustion that creeps in when you need to lift. Reflect on a time you flopped under stress; what triggered it?

“Your elephant is most likely to show up in and around high-pressure performance moments,”

Spot the pattern, and you’re halfway to seeing it.

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Blind Spots Are Your Elephant’s Hiding Place

Blind spots—physical blocks, emotional baggage, or cognitive biases—cloak your elephant. I’ve categorized six causes, from injuries to societal norms, that distort your view.

“Our elephants reflect unconscious or hidden aspects of our thoughts,” and until you shine a light, they rule you.

My sadness masked anger for years; what’s yours hiding? Hunt those blind spots with self-reflection and feedback—they’re your map to the gap.

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Self-Conscious Emotions Block the Hunt

Shame, guilt, pride—they’re self-conscious emotions that keep your elephant in the shadows. They make vulnerability feel like a threat, triggering avoidance.

“Shame blocks our capacity to hunt,” I’ve seen it paralyze athletes.

Self-compassion, though, can flip the script. Ever felt trapped between overwhelm and numbness? That’s your elephant waving. Face it with kindness, not judgment, and watch it step into the light.

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Unresolved Emotions Feed Your Elephant

Unprocessed trauma or stress fattens your elephant, showing up when you least want it. I relived childhood pain on that Melbourne stage, and it hit like a ton of bricks.

“Unresolved emotions can manifest in unconscious ways,” projecting onto others or sabotaging you. Journal, meditate, or talk it out—feel the feels. What’s haunting you? Acknowledge it, or it’ll ambush your next big moment.

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You’re a Hunter—Know Your Type

Are you a Seeker, Avoidant, or Accidental Hunter? Each type shapes how you chase your elephant.

Seekers never quit; Avoidants cling to comfort; Accidentals stumble into growth.

“What type of hunter are you and what is your hunter skill set?” I ask, because knowing this sets your strategy. Figure out yours; it’s your edge.

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Fear Is Your First Elephant to Face

Fear’s the big one—paralyzing or propelling, depending on how you handle it. I saw it with the Jamaican bobsleigh team, turning terror into agility.

“The fear sweet spot: alert and agile,” keeps you sharp without breaking you. Has fear shown up? It’s guiding you to act. Breathe, reframe, move through it—courage isn’t optional here.

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Ignorance Blinds You to Your Limits

Ignorance isn’t bliss; it’s a blindfold. Overconfidence or denial—like the Dunning-Kruger effect—keeps you from seeing your gaps. I’ve watched athletes overestimate prep, then crash. “The ignorance sweet spot: aware and open,” means knowing what you don’t know. Confront it with humility; ask: Where’s my effort lacking? That’s your elephant peeking out.

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Inauthenticity Sabotages Your Performance

Living someone else’s script? That’s inauthenticity, and it’s a performance killer. I’ve seen social media trap Avoidants in comparison. “The inauthenticity sweet spot: the fit for you,” is owning your story. My elephant fed on me playing small—yours might too. Are you showing up as you? Drop the act; your potential’s waiting.

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Belief Shapes Your Reality

Beliefs can cage or catapult you. Unshakable self-belief fueled Tapper’s Olympic run, while doubt sinks others. “The belief sweet spot: power of belief,” turns conviction into action. What’s your elephant signaling about your beliefs? Check in: Are they limiting or liberating? Rewrite the narrative—I’ve seen it transform careers.

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Chaos Thrives on Lack of Grounding

Chaos—internal or external—throws you off balance, birthing elephants like distraction or burnout. I’ve guided athletes through it with routines. “The chaos sweet spot: grounded,” means finding stability amid the storm. What’s throwing you? Structure your day, breathe deep—control what you can. Chaos isn’t your enemy; it’s your teacher.

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Befriend Your Elephant for Growth

Your elephant’s not the villain—it’s a guide. Accepting mine in Melbourne lifted a weight; now I use it. “Your elephant is part of you and often has your back,” pointing to what needs work. Cage it with feedback, feed it with self-care. Embrace it, and it’ll lead you to your best self—every day.

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