In this episode, I explain how to increase your control over your nervous system — not just to manage stress, but to recalibrate your autonomic nervous system for long-term physiological resilience and adaptability. This episode goes beyond basic stress management techniques to explore how to fine-tune your nervous system, become more stress tolerant, and use your personal data to know exactly when and how to intervene.

Using the three I’s framework — Investigate, Interpret and Intervene — I explain how to assess key physiological markers such as heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate and CO₂ tolerance. I also discuss a range of tools and strategies, ranging from free to clinical-grade, that can shift your nervous system acutely (like cold exposure or visual resets) and chronically (such as structured breathwork or exercise).

This episode is for anyone looking to actively train their brain and body to improve resilience, adaptability and peak performance.

Read the episode show notes at performpodcast.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Controlling Your Nervous System

00:04:59 Nervous System Branches, Recalibrate Autonomic Nervous System

00:09:46 Sponsors: AG1 & David Protein

00:12:30 Read & Regulate, Highway Analogy, Resilience

00:18:35 Investigate: Performance-Based Tests, Psychology & Physiological Markers

00:24:07 Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Genes & Lifestyle, Age, Health & Resilience

00:36:22 Sponsors: LMNT & Momentous

00:39:23 Tool: Measuring HRV

00:41:46 Respiratory Rate, CO2 Tolerance Test

00:45:37 Metabolism & Respiration, Chronic Hyperventilation, Overbreathing

00:53:46 Tool: Measuring Respiratory Rate

00:54:48 Interpret: HRV Scores, Device Variability, Standard Deviation

01:00:48 HRV Stability, Sleep Schedule, Alcohol, Exercise & Meal Frequency

01:04:34 Sponsor: Eight Sleep

01:05:56 HRV Data & When to Intervene, Acute vs Chronic, Training

01:09:16 Interpret: Respiratory Rate, Overbreathing & Breathing Problems

01:15:53 Intervention: Acute Changes, 4x4 Matrix

01:17:50 Acute & Chronic Categories; Cold Water Immersion

01:21:50 Acute Actions, Visual Resets, Valsalva Maneuver, Vagal Nerve Stimulators

01:28:09 Chronic Actions, Desensitization, Timing for Results

01:32:57 Exercise, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

01:34:57 Breathwork, Tool: Reduce Stress & Anxiety with Breathwork

01:42:47 Internal Biofeedback, Meditation, Cold Exposure, Gear 1 Walking

01:48:55 External Biofeedback, Weight Belt

01:52:26 Resonant Breathing, HRV Biofeedback; Haptic Biofeedback

02:00:28 Supplements, Omega-3s, Watermelon Juice, Ashwagandha, Vitamin D & B12

02:03:33 Recap & Key Takeaways

02:07:28 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Perform Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures