When an elephant is young and weak, an animal trainer ties its leg to a short wooden stake in the ground. In the beginning, the young elephant tries to escape. It struggles against the rope that holds it in place. For several days, the rope keeps rubbing the same spot on the elephant’s leg. The rope finally wears through the elephant’s tough outer skin, and cuts into the elephant’s soft pink flesh. The pain is excruciating. It’s the worst thing the animal has ever felt.

The elephant soon learns that pulling and struggling against the rope will only bring him pain, so he doesn’t struggle anymore.

The elephant grows to be a 12,000 pound monster-sized animal. It could physically crush the animal trainer like a small bug. But it doesn’t. The animal trainer still keeps it tied up. To the same short wooden stake. If the elephant tried, it could snap the wooden stake in half by simply shifting its weight. But it doesn’t. It doesn’t think it can break free of the stake because of the early experiences it had trying to break free. It thinks the outcome will be pain, instead of freedom.

Isn't food just like that little stake? Something that has caused us so much pain and failure? Something that has held us back from so much?

I am finding that the "mental" part of this "breaking free" is the key for me.

What you have described is called learned helplessness and yes, it does affect people. You make a good point. Theres an example of a rat or mouse in a cage and the floor just keeps being randomly electrified. The little guy does everything he can think of to get out but of course he cant. Later he just lays on the shock-floor and when the cage door is opened he doesnt even get up to get out! It explains, in part why battered women stay with an abuser.

Lets get up, get out!! Personally, I'm for crushing the elephant owner to death!!Wait in this example I think thats the fat me...so be it!!