In this episode of The Next Better AMA Show, Coach Woody and Kristin unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern life:

Is stress destroying us—or are we just using it wrong?

Together, they dive deep into the science, psychology, and personal habits that turn stress into fuel for growth. From HRV monitors and overtraining to emotional reactivity and weekend burnout cycles, Coach Woody lays out exactly how high achievers can stop crashing and start stressing better.

If you’re constantly “on,” feeling wired-but-tired, or wondering why your body feels burned out while your mind tells you to keep going—this episode is for you.

In this episode, let’s explore:

• The difference between good stress and destructive stress
• Why most high achievers drain their energy by 4pm
• How to train your week like an athlete trains for game day
• The danger of tracking nothing—and calling it self-care
• How mindfulness helps you actually fix stress, not just cope with it

Highlights:

00:01 – Welcome and why stress matters

01:22 – “All growth happens through stress and discomfort”

04:30 – What eating a huge meal can teach us about stress

12:04 – Psychological vs. physiological stress explained

14:00 – “Tech tricks us into thinking we can do it all”

19:31 – Coach Woody vs. his wife: Two different stress patterns

25:56 – Why you need to track stress to master it

33:57 – Planning your week around recovery and energy

37:27 – “Are you really stressed—or just afraid of stillness?”

39:29 – The performance trap: Why 100% output leads to burnout

43:56 – Thriving vs. surviving: A call to high achievers

55:56 – “Mindfulness is just awareness—so you can finally change”

59:00 – What Coach Woody pays attention to (and why it matters)

1:02:30 – Closing thoughts and community challenge