On this episode I was blessed to sit down with David Bidler and Lex Clark of Physiology First, to discuss a variety of interesting topics pertaining to the educational system. We discuss the goal of physiology first and they define their overarching goal as redefining how we approach mental health, and we spend the next hour discussing many of the methods in which we can more effectively build robust capable individuals through educational means. They partner with schools to provide a curriculum that delivers many of the different topics discussed. They also utilize a decentralized approach and we spend the first half of the conversation  dedicated to talking about the power of intergenerational learning and a sense of community. In any good conversation more questions often come about than answers in the short term. David and Lex provide several thought provoking questions through out the conversation, one really stuck with me, What would it be like to learn about us before we try to learn about every other thing in the world? 

We discuss the role of the education system in the present and how many of the education systems responses may be because it is stuck in an abject state of survival. The shutdowns were an opportunity to take a step back and see if we are traveling in the right direction, instead there has been a push to get back to business as usual at a break neck speed. The power of harnessing ones own physiology is discussed in length and David and Lex share how they are able to bring holistic movement patterns and breathing into their everyday practices to encourage a more health centered approach than we commonly see in the modern educational structure. Stress and Anxiety are often terms that may be used out of context and David discusses the cultural connotations surrounding stress and anxiety and how true stress resilience is built through encountering appropriate stressors.  

We end the conversation by talking about learning and how we can better leverage protocols and practices that will promote an authentic atmosphere of learning. We discuss  neuroplasticity and many of the mechanisms behind neuroplasticity and how we can leverage these to learn in an efficient manner. Lex shares how she utilizes the non sleep deep rest protocol popularized by Dr. Andrew Huberman to help better retain information. We also discuss how the body functions in a cyclic nature and how these cycles can be taken into account to promote alertness and more effective structures for learning. Make sure to check out the links below for links to Physiology first and all their offerings, its refreshing to see a group of people that are pushing for science based methods of learning that focus on the human firstly and appreciate each person for their individuality. 

Physiology First Webpage 

Physiology First youtube 

Physiology First Instagram 

The Distance Project