Consistent evidence has illustrated that people's underlying lay beliefs about the limited or nonlimited nature of their willpower can moderate the classic ego-depletion effect. However, the exact mechanisms through which these lay beliefs counteract the influence of ego-depletion remain unidentified. In this talk, I will present current research aimed at identifying the precise mechanism at play. In an experimental design, participants were manipulated to either hold a limited or nonlimited lay belief of willpower. After the belief manipulation, participants completed a standard dual-task paradigm procedure. This procedure first induced ego-depletion and then examined the ability of lay beliefs of willpower to alter effort-related cardiovascular responses to a subsequent cognitive-control challenge.