Rewiring the Mind: A Brain-Based Approach to Change

Based on the HolisticCircle podcast “Spiritual Conversation” hosted by Philipp Kobald, featuring guest George Haymaker.

The Brain, According to George
What shapes the way we think, feel, and act? According to George Haymaker, the answer lies in the patterns our brain forms throughout life. In conversation with Philipp Kobald on Spiritual Conversation, the podcast produced by HolisticCircle, Haymaker shares his journey from business and addiction to becoming a certified neuro-constructionist educator and coach. His current work focuses on helping others understand how the brain influences their behavior — and how it might be guided to function differently over time.

Haymaker’s method, developed through personal experience and study, offers a structured approach to behavioral change rooted in neuroscience. It aims to support people who want to move forward from unhelpful patterns, focusing on present-day mental habits rather than past analysis or spiritual frameworks.

A Personal Story of Change
Haymaker speaks candidly about his own struggles with painkillers and alcohol in his early fifties. He describes the turning point as a time of reinvention, not just in behavior, but in how he related to his brain. As he learned more about neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to adapt — he came to believe that meaningful, lasting change was possible by reshaping the brain’s neural pathways.

This belief forms the basis of his current work: guiding individuals to create new behavioral patterns through education, repetition, and consistent practice. The language he uses is practical, not spiritual, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based models.

Making Neuroscience More Approachable
Throughout the conversation, Haymaker avoids technical jargon in favor of accessibility. He often substitutes the term “brain science” for neuroscience to make the material feel less clinical. His view is that the brain, like any other organ, can be better understood — and once understood, can be trained to respond in new ways.

He explains that neurons form patterns based on our experiences, and those patterns influence how we behave and feel. Changing them, he suggests, is less about discovering deep truths and more about building new habits through daily practice. Like learning to ride a bike or speak a new language, it takes effort at first, but becomes more natural with time.

Therapy and Coaching: Different Paths Forward
A key distinction in Haymaker’s work is how it differs from therapy. He’s clear that he is not a licensed therapist and doesn’t provide clinical treatment. Instead, he focuses on future-oriented coaching, particularly for people who feel ready to move forward after identifying the roots of their challenges.

He describes therapy as helpful for uncovering how certain patterns were formed, whereas his coaching centers on designing new behaviors and thoughts that align with the person someone wants to become. Though the two approaches may overlap, Haymaker’s emphasis remains on developing practical strategies for change through intentional action.

What the Process Looks Like
Haymaker typically works with clients over 90 days, using weekly meetings to track progress and refine goals. He emphasizes that transformation isn’t immediate; early efforts often feel unfamiliar, as the brain initially resists new patterns. Over time, however, he suggests that these new patterns can become established, leading to shifts in mental and emotional well-being.

He describes the brain as risk-averse by nature, preferring what’s familiar — even if it’s not helpful. Because of this, he encourages clients to be consistent and committed, particularly in the early stages when change can feel uncomfortable or uncertain.

Where the Brain Ends — and Other Questions Begin
During the discussion, host Philipp Kobald introduces questions common in spiritual circles, such as past-life influence and consciousness beyond the brain. Haymaker acknowledges these ideas as valid areas of interest for many, but gently draws a boundary around his own work. He emphasizes that he focuses on what can be observed and addressed in the present, through the lens of neuroscience.

While he doesn’t engage in metaphysical theories, he does recognize that individuals may hold diverse beliefs about the origin of mental patterns. His approach remains grounded in how the brain functions day-to-day, offering tools for those who wish to work within that scope.

Who This Approach Is For
Haymaker works with a range of clients. Some are focused on personal development and performance, aiming to fine-tune their habits and thought patterns. Others may be feeling stuck — experiencing anxiety, dissatisfaction, or difficulty with relationships. He also supports individuals navigating recovery from addictive behaviors, helping them examine the mental patterns that contributed to those choices and build new ways of coping.

He presents his method as one that supports sustainable change, not by offering quick solutions, but by helping people develop a deeper understanding of how their brains function and how that knowledge can be used to build different outcomes.

A Practical Framework, Not a Quick Fix
Throughout the episode, Haymaker stresses that insight alone isn’t enough. While reflection can be valuable, his emphasis is on integration — bringing new habits and thought patterns into daily life through consistent action. In his view, this is how meaningful change takes root: through repetition, feedback, and continued effort.

Though the process can be challenging, he believes it offers a practical path forward for those ready to commit. It’s not positioned as a cure-all, but as a structured way to shift away from limiting behaviors and toward chosen ways of being.

A Conversation for the Curious
This episode of Spiritual Conversation offers a clear window into a structured, science-based approach to personal development. For those in healing professions — whether working with others or on their own growth — it may serve as a useful reference point for how brain science is being applied in non-clinical coaching settings.

While listeners may hold different views on the nature of change, identity, or consciousness, Haymaker’s perspective adds another voice to the broader conversation around transformation. The full interview is available to watch on the @HolisticCircle YouTube channel.

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