Q+A on Applied Neurology with Training and Optimal Performance (Part 1)

In the realm of health and fitness, the role of the brain in shaping our physical well-being has emerged as this generation’s GO-TO health education.

No longer confined to academic circles or specialized clinics, this knowledge has become accessible to all, revolutionizing how we approach our physical and mental health.

From influencing our sleep patterns and energy levels to governing gut health and beyond, the brain's and nervous system's impact is far-reaching.

Here are some of the top questions we have received over the last few months regarding our free education and what you will start to learn in our educational mentorship.

Your Brains Impact On Health

What role does the brain play in determining our physical health?

Initially, it's important to understand that you're not to blame. Recent scientific revelations have shed light on the profound effects of stress on the brain, influencing various facets of our well-being such as blood chemistry, sleep patterns, energy levels, gut health, and more.

This knowledge is no longer confined to experts with doctoral degrees and lab coats behind closed doors.  The science of the brain and nervous system and its impact on everything below the neck is now a sought-after friend in health education and companies like Next Level Neruo are teaching it in the most digestible and simplistic form for APPLICATION in every vertical of health.

Instead, it has become accessible to the general public and educators alike. It's now evident that the brain plays a pivotal role in shaping our physical health, dictating what unfolds beneath the surface of our bodies.

Can the brain-body connection be trained similarly to how we train our muscles?

We're now grasping, perhaps for the first time, how our vision, inner ear function, and the proprioceptive elements of our brain-body connection influence various aspects of our movement, pain perception, metabolism, balance, mental health, and more. It's becoming increasingly clear that these components are trainable, much like we train our physical bodies.

Science has caught up to educators in the health space and those who have fought for years to get the information out are now experiencing the breath-through in health that has been needed.

We are no longer regulated to decreased brain function the way we once thought.  If we can tell you anything from this question, your brain can be turned back on as fast as you can snap your fingers and it can happen at any age.

As we all get older we all fear losing our faculties.  Yes, we will age but we now have the knowledge and capacity to keep ourselves sharper than ever.

Is the decline in brain function due to aging permanent, and how quickly can the nervous system re-engage to provide immediate improvements in movement for older adults?

Certainly, our brains undergo aging processes, but it's not an irreversible decline; rather, it's certain functions switching off temporarily, much like we lose function in certain specific muscles because of injury or lack of use.

Regardless of age, the nervous system can quickly re-engage, often as fast as a snap of the fingers. This rapid response capability has enabled individuals well into their 80s to experience noticeable improvements in movement functionality within mere minutes.

What recent breakthrough has occurred in fitness and health education after more than two decades?

After more than two decades, a significant breakthrough has occurred in fitness and health education with the unveiling of cutting-edge insights from applied neurology.

This development has effectively bridged the longstanding gap in understanding the impact of the brain and nervous system on the body's functions. The educational resources now accessible are as straightforward to grasp as learning to train the muscular systems of the body.

Brain Training For Stress

How does the brain's perception of 'threat' affect muscle tightness during activities like squats?

Your body reacts to these 'threats,' manifesting feedback such as tight muscles in specific areas, like tight calves during a squat due to heightened alertness in the brain to the up-and-down motion. Consequently, it sends signals to slow you down.

Applied neurology's goal is to teach the brain to perceive safety in that up-and-down squat motion.  We might do this with our bouncing drill, which can enhance squat performance without necessitating calf or hip mobility.  The beauty of applied neurology is you can assess the success of that drill in seconds.  This assess/re-assess process we teach is something our coaches use throughout their sessions to make sure their clients are leaving sessions healthier than when they left. 

Meaning....they return as they left previously.  You all know the issue.  Clients leave seemingly in a good place but come back the same as they always do, wondering when their posture and pain with change. 

While the adverse effects of stress are widely recognized in the health community, in our mentorship, we move beyond merely advising individuals to "work on their stress." Instead, we focus on instructing the brain to diminish the perceived threat.

In doing so, we facilitate repair in areas of the brain associated with a client's specific pain, range of motion difficulties, strength weaknesses, and more. This process hinges on the brain's interpretation of threat, which relies on the seamless integration of inputs from exteroception, interoception, and proprioception.

Understanding how these inputs shape the brain's perception of danger provides crucial insights into our body's responses to stress, enabling us to develop a comprehensive physical action plan.

Moving forward, the next educational step entails comprehending how these interpretations influence the brain's decision-making process and the subsequent activation of protective mechanisms.

These protective mechanisms encompass any issues your client may present, including pain, range of motion limitations, balance issues, speed, agility, vision, posture, and beyond.

What does the term "threat" mean in the context of stress and the brain?

The term "threat" encapsulates stress and its effects on the brain. It represents your brain's survival instinct, commonly recognized as the fight-or-flight response. However, what's crucial to understand is how this response impacts our bodies.  There is a litany of threat responses, the best way to understand this analogy and why it's so important is to read this post and The Threat Bucket Analogy.

What are the brain's two primary jobs during training, and why are they crucial?

The Brain's Two Primary Jobs: Survival and Movement 

Ever wondered what the brain's main focus is during training? It turns out, our complex organ primarily operates with two overarching goals in mind: survival and movement. Here are seven examples highlighting these essential functions:

A. Survival:

1. The lower part of the brain, often referred to as the reptilian brain, is dedicated to survival instincts. It's like the brain's emergency response system, always on high alert.

2. When faced with a perceived threat, the brain goes into hyper-focus mode, prioritizing immediate safety above all else.

B. Movement:

1. Movement is crucial for our daily functioning and overall well-being. Whether it's walking, running, or even typing on a keyboard, every action relies on the brain's coordination.

2. Our brain continuously organizes, plans, and executes movements, from the simplest tasks to the most complex activities.

Understanding these two primary functions of the brain can provide valuable insights into how we approach training and education. By acknowledging the brain's innate drive for survival and its intricate role in movement, we can optimize our learning experiences and an understanding of cognitive processes.

How does the nervous system function as the body's ultimate governing system?

The nervous system serves as the body's ultimate governing system, orchestrating every bodily function with unparalleled precision. Here's a closer look at why understanding its importance is paramount for effective training and education:

Governing System:

1. Acting as the master controller, the nervous system regulates all bodily functions, from the beat of our hearts to the blink of an eye.

2. It exercises control over muscles, fascia, joints, and every intricate aspect of our physiology, ensuring seamless coordination and movement.

How does the nervous system's rapid adaptability benefit the effectiveness of training exercises?

Fastest Changing System:

1. Remarkably dynamic, the nervous system has the ability to change almost instantly in response to stimuli.

2. This rapid adaptability allows for immediate assessment of the effectiveness of exercises, facilitating real-time adjustments for optimal results.

What role does the plasticity of the nervous system play in achieving lasting changes?

Most Plastic System:

1. With its remarkable plasticity, the nervous system possesses the remarkable ability to change both its structure and function.

2. This inherent plasticity offers a profound opportunity for lasting and stable changes, paving the way for continuous growth and improvement.

If you would like more information on our mentorship and how applied neurology will fit with your current business model, please reach out to us here.