How the 10X Principle and the 80/20 Rule Can Transform Your Thyroid with Ina Coveney

The Case:

Tricia came to me feeling stuck and frustrated with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s
She had a goal to lose 25 pounds and increase her energy but is frustrated with her results
She feels like she’s doing everything possible and is overwhelmed with it all.

When we sat down, I noticed she was juggling too many tasks—different diets, intense exercise, supplements, and multiple protocols—all at once. She was overwhelmed and frustrated. Together, we decided to take a different approach: applying the 10X Principle and the 80/20 Rule to her health.

To help me unpack these game-changing concepts, I brought in my good friend Ina Coveney, a business coach and host of the Superhuman’s Podcast to review how these transformative principles, often used in business, can be applied to health.

What is the 10X Principle?

The 10X Principle, popularized by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan in their book 10X Is Easier Than 2X, challenges us to think bigger. Instead of making small, incremental improvements, the idea is to set a goal so big that it forces us to rethink our approach entirely.

As Ina explained, when you aim for 10X instead of 2X, your brain can’t rely on the same old methods. It has to come up with completely new solutions—solutions that are often simpler, more effective, and more aligned with your goals.

While this idea was originally created for business or money goals, Ina didn’t see a reason why it couldn’t be used for our health goals. She uses the example of setting a goal to lose 10 pounds. When we only lose 5 pounds, our brain immediately calculates that we need to double what we did in order to lose 10 pounds. That might be eating half as much or doing twice as much exercise but most of us can’t do that healthily. Instead, we should set bigger goals that force our brains to look for a different solution outside of what we’ve already been doing. Ina explains that it’s about retraining our brains to see our issues differently.

How to Use The Power of the 80/20 Rule in Wellness

Now that our brains are looking for a new solution, one might be the 80/20 Rule. The 80/20 Rule (or Pareto Principle) teaches us that 80% of results come from 20% of our efforts. This is another principle that is used often in business. In health, this could mean focusing on the actions that truly move the needle and letting go of the ones that don’t.

As Ina and I discussed, this can be challenging because we often equate “doing more” with progress. But the truth is, less is often more—if you’re focusing on the right things.

The 80/20 Rule for Addressing Hashimoto’s Health

For individuals with Hashimoto’s, protocols often target a range of potential triggers, such as gut health, liver function, viruses, and more. While these are all valid approaches, not every trigger applies to every person. Individuality is key—rather than addressing all potential triggers, focusing on the specific 20% that truly impacts an individual’s health can lead to far better outcomes. For example, one person’s primary trigger may be a gut issue, while others might stem from trauma or emotional stress. Identifying and targeting these personal triggers avoids unnecessary effort on protocols that may not apply.

One commonly overlooked area is the mind and emotional health. While biochemistry—nutrients, hormones, and medication—is essential, the role of emotional well-being and addressing trauma can be equally impactful. Negative thoughts, stress, and unresolved emotions often perpetuate the body’s immune dysfunction. By focusing on this “mind piece,” many people find significant improvements in their overall health and symptom management, underscoring the importance of a holistic and individualized approach. Which is exactly what we did with Tricia.

Applying the 10X Principle to Health

Tricia’s original goal was to lose 10 pounds, but after exploring the 10X Principle, we reset her sights on her true goal—losing 25 pounds and feeling fully energized. This bigger goal forced her to stop trying to do everything and instead focus on what mattered most.

Here’s how we applied the 80/20 Rule to her health:

Identify Her Thyroid Type
Tricia was on the wrong medication for her thyroid type. By addressing this foundational issue, we ensured her body was getting the support it needed.
Focus on Key Nutritional Changes
Instead of following multiple restrictive diets, we honed in on specific macros tailored to her needs.
Simplify Movement
Tricia was trying every workout under the sun. Instead, we created a manageable routine that emphasized consistency and exercises that worked with her body.
Address the Mindset Piece
So often, our thoughts and beliefs sabotage our health goals. Tricia started practicing mindfulness and reframing her thoughts to support her journey.

How Small Changes Create Big Results

As Ina Coveney explained, “Making small but intentional changes—your 20%—can lead to entirely different outcomes. It’s like steering a ship: A two-degree shift in direction may seem minor, but over time, it can lead you to an entirely new destination.”

This shift allowed Tricia to let go of the 80% of activities that weren’t working and fully commit to the 20% that made all the difference. The result? She lost over 25 pounds, gained muscle, and reclaimed her energy.

What Are Your Non-Negotiables?

I feel that one of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is the importance of identifying your non-negotiables—those habits and routines that support your health and well-being. For me, it’s sleep, eating well, and daily movement.

What are your non-negotiables? Take some time to think about what truly works for you, and start there.

Start Thinking 10X Wellness

What would it look like to set a big, bold health goal? How can you use the 80/20 Rule to streamline your efforts and focus on what really works?

I hope this episode inspires you to rethink your approach to health and explore the mindset shifts that can help you achieve your goals.

Let’s make 2025 your healthiest year yet.

Eliminating Health Mysteries

For Tricia, we were able to find a new approach so she could regain her health by 10Xing her health goals and focusing on what is really working. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?

Related Podcast Episodes:

The Super Simple Mindset Shift to Help Hashimoto’s From Overwhelmed to Energized: Hashimoto’s Transformation with Beth Mosher Health Planning for 2025 – Inna’s 6 Essential Steps to Thrive with Hashimoto’s 5 Pivotal Hashimoto’s Hacks: The Empowered Approach to Thyroid Health

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