Kristen Holmes sits down with neurophysiologist Louisa Nicola for an in-depth discussion on peak performance, brain health, athletics, and longevity.
Louisa was a triathlete who represented Australia at the world championships, but found her way to neuroscience after being hit by a car while she was training on a bike. She discovered the mind-body connection as part of her rehab, which led her to founding her company Neuro Athletics a few years later. Louisa has since gone on to work with some of the best athletes across baseball, basketball, and more to ensure their mental game is just as strong as their physical game.
Louisa details the intersection between brain health, physiology, and peak performance; the role sleep, nutrition, and exercise play in growing our brains; and how the brain ages and the steps we can take to keep our brains young. She also explains how sleep deprivation leads to a higher risk of injuries and a weakened immune system, and how focussing on your hydration is one of the best ways to stay on top of your game.
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5:54 – Training the brain
9:59 – How the brain changes
12:28 – Exercise and brain aging
18:19 – Brain health and resistance training
20:57 – Nutrition
25:34 – Hydration
27:18 – Sodium deficits and brain health
32:05 – Sleep deprivation and injury
35:45 – Sleep and immunity
37:13 – Inflammation, stress, and HRV
40:28 – Sleep environments
43:17 – Alcohol and the brain
