In this solo episode of Ashes to Architects, Brian Cartier dismantles one of the most damaging labels people carry: “average.”
“Average” isn’t a fact—it’s a lazy summary. And when you accept it, you stop trying, stop investing in yourself, and build a safe identity that protects you from failure… while quietly blocking everything you’re capable of. Brian breaks down how self-talk becomes an abusive relationship, why fear of embarrassment keeps people stuck, and how to rebuild confidence the only real way: evidence.
This is a practical reset for anyone who’s been hesitating, playing small, or waiting to “feel ready.” You don’t need a total reinvention fantasy. You need one decision, one lane, and reps—done consistently—until the story changes.
Topics covered:
• Why “average” is a label, not a truth
• The hidden comfort of self-doubt (and the cost of it)
• Fear of failing in public—and why nobody’s thinking about you
• Confidence isn’t motivation: it’s evidence
• The “one thing” rule: stop juggling, start committing
• Stacking proof for 30 days (feel different) and 1 year (life looks different)
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome + the “average” lie
00:33 Average isn’t a fact—it’s a summary
01:28 Self-talk, safety, and the fear of failing
03:05 The imaginary wall + why embarrassment is overrated
04:05 One thing, not ten: pick a lane
05:10 Confidence comes from evidence
06:05 30 days vs 1 year: stack proof, change the story
07:10 Average is a statistic—and you’re not a statistic
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