The Illusion of Certainty: Why You’re More Wrong Under Stress

The Illusion of Certainty: Why You’re More Wrong Under Stress

Author: Armando Dominguez PhD Health Psychology, Educator, Martial Artist, Researcher April 5, 2026 Duration: 29:29
Ep 143. Certainty is one of the most appealing ideas in human psychology. It promises clarity, predictability, control, and confidence in outcomes. We are drawn to certainty because it feels safe—it reduces ambiguity and gives us the illusion that we can fully understand and control what comes next. But certainty, especially under stress, can become a dangerous illusion. When we are under pressure, fear, or sudden stress, the brain rapidly interprets incoming information to determine sa...

Ever feel like your brain's ancient wiring is at odds with the demands of modern life? That's the core territory explored in Running Man Self Regulation Skills Project. Hosted by Armando Dominguez, who brings a unique perspective as a PhD in Health Psychology, an educator, a martial artist, and a researcher, this podcast digs into the primal roots of our reactions. It’s about understanding how stress, anxiety, and even physical pain directly hijack our capacity to think clearly and make good decisions, often leading to behavior we might later regret. Each episode unpacks the survival programming we all carry-our inner paleo-caveperson-and how it manifests in today's world. You’ll hear practical discussions that bridge science and daily experience, focusing on why we freeze, lash out, or struggle to choose wisely under pressure. This isn't just theory; it's about gaining tangible insights for recognizing these patterns and developing stronger self-regulation skills. For anyone interested in the intersection of mental resilience, physical fitness, and social behavior, this podcast offers a thoughtful, grounded conversation. Tune in to reframe your understanding of your own instincts and learn to navigate tension with more awareness and control.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Running Man Self Regulation Skills Project
Podcast Episodes
The Hidden Window That Controls Your Stress Response [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:47
Ep 152. Every human being responds to life through patterns. Whether we experience stress, joy, fear, surprise, excitement, or overwhelm, our reactions are shaped by neurological programs that have been built through bio…
Power, Not Force: How Calm People Resolve Conflict Faster [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:03
Ep 151. Conflict, disagreement, resistance, and pushback are natural parts of everyday life. Whether at work, at home, in relationships, or in public interactions, we regularly encounter situations where our goals, belie…
Your Brain Changes Under Threat: The Hidden Psychology of Conflict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:07
Ep 149. Resistance and conflict do not always begin in the external world. Often, the greatest conflict occurs within us—through the interaction between external stressors and our internal emotional landscape. Fear, anxi…
The Unknown Changes You: Why Growth Requires Courage” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:11
Ep 148. Throughout life, we undertake journeys that challenge who we are and force us to grow beyond the limits of our current identity. Every meaningful endeavor—whether physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual—d…
Think Clearly Under Pressure: The Skill Most People Never Train [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:28
Ep 147. Everyday stress—and even minor challenges—can activate the body’s fight-or-flight response. The stressor does not have to be life-threatening for the nervous system to react as if it is. A deadline, a difficult c…
Recovery Is a Skill: Why Rest Alone Won’t Fix Chronic Stress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:39
Ep 146. Recovery is one of the most important—and most neglected—skills in modern life. We live in a world of continuous, unrelenting stress. Unlike earlier human survival patterns, where fight-or-flight events were ofte…
The Illusion of Knowing: Why Stress Makes You Think You’re Right [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:58
Ep 145. When we experience stress—whether from physical danger or social judgment—our sense of safety becomes compromised. The body responds immediately. Heart rate rises. Breathing shifts. Attention narrows. The nervous…