Episode 259: Nick Cawthon - Muscle Memory of Change
Episode #259 — “Muscle Memory of Change: Why Transformation Feels New but Isn’t” | The Limitless Podcast with Nick Jonsson
This episode of The Limitless Podcast with Nick Jonsson takes listeners into a deep and thought-provoking exploration of change, growth, and the hidden psychology behind transformation. In Episode #259, Nick sits down with Nick Cawthon, Founder of Gauge Design, Inc., to unpack why transformation often feels new, intimidating, or disruptive—even when it’s actually built upon abilities, strengths, and resilience we already possess.
Nick Cawthon introduces the concept of “muscle memory of change,” an idea that challenges the belief that transformation requires reinventing everything from scratch. He explains that much like physical muscle memory, our emotional and cognitive “muscles” hold patterns, skills, and lessons that can be reactivated in moments of growth. Rather than starting over, leaders often rediscover capabilities they’ve developed over years of personal and professional experience.
Throughout the episode, Nick shares insights from his journey in creative design, entrepreneurship, and leadership. He reflects on how confronting challenges, navigating uncertainty, and embracing discomfort can reignite inner strengths that may have gone dormant. Whether it’s rebuilding confidence after failure, reconnecting to creative intuition, or overcoming stagnation, he emphasizes that real transformation is often about remembering, not reinventing.
The conversation also explores how leaders can use momentum, mindset, and intentional practice to sustain long-term change. Nick discusses the importance of recognizing familiar patterns during times of transition—patterns that can serve as anchors for progress rather than obstacles. He highlights that growth becomes easier when leaders embrace the continuity between who they’ve been, who they are, and who they are becoming.
Listeners are encouraged to tune in to learn how to activate their inner momentum, transform past experiences into present breakthroughs, and understand change not as an overwhelming new chapter but as an evolution built on the foundation they already carry.
This episode is a must-listen for leaders, creatives, and anyone navigating reinvention, offering practical wisdom on adaptability, resilience, and unlocking human potential.
Contact Nick to collaborate with him:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcawthon-ux-digital-agency-product-design-leadership/
🎧 Find more episodes on our website: https://www.nickjonsson.com/podcast