Laura is the Lead Performance Instructor at Deep End Fitness in San Diego, a trauma therapist, and a strength coach. She is about to graduate with the Master’s portion of her Ph.D. next month (May 2024) and will continue for two more years to complete her Ph.D. She previously received her Juris Doctorate degree but opted to change career trajectories toward something more fulfilling and service-driven. 

Laura specializes in Applied Behavioral Neuroscience through a Polyvagal Theory approach and currently leads training sessions on Nervous System Resilience and Regulation for First Responders and Military Personnel in the greater San Diego area.

She also probably squats more than you. 

Laura's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauragordon__/

Deep End Fitness San Diego: https://www.instagram.com/deependsandiego/

Deep End Fitness: https://www.deependfitness.com/

Timestamps:

00:00:22 Intro to Laura Gordon

00:01:15 Athletic and Educational Background

00:03:12 Deep End Fitness

00:06:11 Universal Factors 

00:07:31 Nervous System Regulation and Resilience

00:11:08 Leveling of Attitudes

00:14:19 What Workouts Look Like at Deep End Fitness

00:16:00 What Changes Mentally During Training

00:18:25 How People Understand Their Body

00:22:50 Body Prediction Error

00:28:30 Tuning Out The Negative

00:32:34 Polyvagal Theory

00:34:49 Avoiding Full Immobilization 

00:39:50 Ventral Vagal and Dorsal Vagal Systems

00:43:09 Healthier Versions of Stress Coping

00:44:28 Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning

00:47:34  Controlled Stressors 

00:49:40 Tools and Cues

00:53:49 High Level of Trust While Coaching

00:56:48 Behavior Model 

00:59:00 Shifting the Course of Lives

01:00:46 Managing Burnout

01:03:33 Managing Your Recovery 

01:08:57 CO2 Tolerance

01:11:32 Finding Connection and Community 

01:14:43 Best and Worst Advice

01:16:58 Learn More about Laura

01:17:22 Outro