TUNE IN TO LEARN:  Your brain physically reshapes itself every single day—but are you giving it what it needs to evolve in the right direction? Neuroplasticity, your brain's remarkable ability to remodel itself in response to experiences, doesn't happen automatically. It requires specific conditions that many of us unknowingly sabotage through our daily habits.  Drawing from fascinating research with London taxi drivers whose brains physically grew larger in memory regions, this episode reveals the 4 lifestyle pillars that maximize your brain's ability to learn, adapt, and evolve. These aren't just theoretical concepts—they're practical strategies backed by neuroscience that can dramatically accelerate your personal growth.  Whether you're struggling with learning new job skills, seeking to break old habits, or simply wanting to optimize your cognitive performance, these four foundations form the cornerstone of effective brain change.  By implementing these science-backed strategies, you'll enhance not just what you know, but who you become.     Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

🎙️ Ready to Break Through Your Limits?  Ever felt that itchy nervousness before a big presentation, competition, or challenge?  That discomfort is actually a powerful signal – you're operating at your growth edge, exactly where transformation happens fastest.  As I prepare for the biggest deal of my career so far, I'm sharing the psychological tool that research consistently shows eliminates anxiety and maximizes performance.  It's surprisingly simple yet profoundly effective: asking one question and taking action.  This question redirects focus from worry to actionable steps within your control - tune in to steal this powerful performance question.  Professional athletes understand this principle intuitively.  They deliberately sign up for competitions that stretch their capabilities because they recognize that reaching for seemingly impossible goals expands their capacity to perform. Just like Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile barrier, we only transcend our limitations by attempting what initially seems beyond our reach. This explains why so many people instinctively sign up for marathons or fitness challenges when they feel stuck – structured challenges accelerate personal development.  But... how do you perform well while stretching?  THIS is what episode is all about.    🔥 Challenge for April:  Set a goal that feels too big.  Focus on what you can control.  Growth doesn’t happen when you win.  It happens while you’re stretching, learning, and expanding.  Want to know how this mindset is shaping my journey?  Tune in! Let's grow together.    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Are you clear on what really matters—or just busy?  This episode is your permission to hit pause, zoom out, and get focused and what really matters to you.  Because clarity doesn’t magically appear—it’s built.   One question, one insight at a time.  I’ll take you behind the scenes of what’s worked (and what hasn’t) for clients and leaders who finally broke free from overwhelm and started making progress that actually felt meaningful.  You’ll hear:  🎯 Why Oprah was right—knowing what you want changes everything.  🧭 A simple, repeatable system to figure out what truly matters—without needing to have all the answers right away.  📚 The 5-step framework to improve any skill (yes, even learning itself).  🔄 How to turn reflection into results—with systems that work when your willpower runs out.  💡 What James Clear and the Stoics have in common about success, and how it might just rewire how you approach your goals.  You’ll walk away with stories, strategies, and a free Clarity Stack worksheet to help you cut through the noise and take focused action.  🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to stop reacting—and start building a life that’s intentional, skillful, and deeply yours.    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Why do some people see opportunity while others only see disaster—even when facing the exact same situation?  The difference isn't luck or circumstance; it's something entirely within your control: your focus.  In this insightful episode, you'll learn:  How your perspective shapes reality, explained through the powerful metaphors and neuroscience.  How "if only" thinking is sabotaging your potential, and what neuroscientist Andrew Huberman identifies as the most dangerous thought pattern holding you back.  A simple, transformative question that will help you to see more opportunity in the challenge you face now, eliminating anxiety and worry.  Ready to unlock a world of possibilities you've been overlooking?  Listen now to discover how changing your focus can transform your entire experience of life in a moment.  Press play and start seeing a different world all around you.    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:  "Research shows that exercise can be 1.5 more effective than therapy and medications combined for treating depression"    Your body and mind share an incredible connection—but how well are you actually using it every day?  Science now proves we have a built-in "remote control" for our nervous system, the capability of transforming our health, emotional balance, and decision-making.  But ... nobody ever taught us how to use it.  In this episode, you'll discover 3 tools for nervous system control:  A secret weapon against pain and powerful re-energizer—learn how a simple breathwork practice can shift your nervous system from chaos to calm, from drained to energized within moments.  An unconventional but powerful technique for better decisions—explore why talking to yourself in the second or third person (yes, seriously!) can revolutionize how you handle pressure in daily work-life.  Ready to unlock the ability to choose your physical and mental responses rather than react instinctively? Tune in to uncover the tools that give you immediate control over stress, decision-making, and overall wellness—without spending a dime.  Hit play, and take control of your mind-body connection today.  Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Navy SEALs—the world's most elite warriors—write and recite daily affirmations. A special kind of affirmations.  Why would they "waste" their time?  When these special operators face life-or-death situations, they need their best behaviors to activate automatically. Their solution? Programming their identity through powerful statements.  What are those statements? Tune in to find out!  University of Pennsylvania research reveals that repeating self-affirmations of this nature that Navy SEALs do physically rewires brain regions associated with identity, creating neural pathways that automatically generate desired behaviors.  This explains why willpower alone often fails us—we're fighting against our deeply held identity rather than changing it at the source.  What area of your life consistently frustrates you?  The solution might not be more information or motivation, but an identity upgrade. Try this Navy SEAL- approved technique will help you shift your automatic behaviors to begin shifting toward your goals without constant struggle.  Change happens in days, not years, when you rewire your identity. What will you program yourself to become?    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

What if the way you look at the world could change how you think?  Every week, I climb a mountain in Cape Town. At the top, everything shifts. The city looks smaller. My problems feel lighter. The higher I go, the bigger my perspective becomes. But here’s the thing—you don’t need a mountain to experience this shift.  Navy SEAL commander Rich Diviney, in his new book "Masters of Uncertainty" talks about how simply changing your gaze can rewire your brain. When you focus on a single object, your mind narrows in, locking onto details. But when you soften your gaze—seeing everything without focusing on anything—you activate a different part of your brain. Suddenly, you connect more dots, see patterns, and think beyond immediate obstacles.  This practice isn’t just about problem-solving; it’s about freedom. For me, true success isn’t money or titles—it’s living without compromise, expressing myself fully. Every decision I make comes down to one question: Does this expand or limit who I am?  Next time you feel stuck, pause. Shift your gaze. Step back. Look at the bigger picture. A new perspective might be all you need to keep going with a lighter heart.  Try it today. Then share this episode with someone who needs to see things differently.    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:  What if you could transform paralyzing uncertainty into decisive action?In this eye-opening exploration of mental focus, you'll learn how Navy SEALs navigate chaos and make critical decisions when stakes are highest.    Enter the DPO method (Duration-Pathway-Outcome), a neuroscience-backed approach that elite military operators use to create certainty in the most uncertain environments. By deliberately shifting your temporal horizon, you generate the confidence and motivation to move forward rather than freeze.  This uniquely human ability to shift focus across time—zooming in on immediate details, then zooming out to connect actions to larger goals—is what separates those who thrive from those merely surviving in today's accelerating change.  As unpredictability becomes our new normal, mastering this mental skill may be the most critical factor in your future success.  Ready to transform how you navigate uncertainty?  Try this Navy SEAL technique today and watch how this creates momentum toward your larger objectives.  Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:  What separates those who achieve their goals from those who don't?  It's not luck or resources—it's mindset.  Let's dive deep into the psychology of achievement, revealing how to overcome many obstacles needed for your personal and business growth with great mental health feeling like a hero and having fun.  The hard truth?  You're not yet good enough for the dream you're pursuing—and that's exactly as it should be. Just as muscles don't develop by lifting lighter weights, your capacity for achievement doesn't expand by avoiding challenges. Every obstacle serves as the training ground where you develop the skills, resilience, and wisdom required for your next level.  Let's together unpack powerful mindset frames used by successful entrepreneurs and top achievers in different fields. These are universal ways of thinking of people who despite hard stuff win BIG.  The learning frame, the infinite game frame, the gains rather than gaps frame; the hero's journey frame, the evolution frame, the gratitude frame.  Most fascinating is how these psychological shifts actually change your biology—stress either strengthens or weakens your body depending entirely on your perception of challenges.  When you change your expectations into appreciation, the path to achievement—though still difficult—becomes infinitely more rewarding.    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:  Are you feeling unmotivated or stuck in a rut? Or not feeling all that energized lately? Deflated? Hard to get through the day? Batteries running on low?   Discover how the powerful concepts of behavioral activation and the simple act of soaking up sunlight can help you reclaim your energy and motivation in toda's episode!  Join me as we delve deep into the relationship between action and emotion.  We'll discuss the science behind behavioral activation and how small daily habits can significantly uplift your mood and energize your day.  We’ll also uncover the vital link between sunlight and energy production in your body and especially your brain.  The role of sunlight goes beyond mere enjoyment; it's crucial for the health of our energy-producing cells—our mitochondria—which, in turn, fuels our motivation and productivity. Tune in to learn how to get this one habit right for productive days and more workouts.  This episode is packed with practical tips to integrate behavioral activation and sunlight into your life, enabling you to elevate your daily experience and get closer to living a fulfilling life you love.  Tune in, and start taking actionable steps today towards a vibrant, energized future!    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH