For more info on Dr. Irena's "Certificate Program in Applied Neuroscience" starting January 2026, go to:
www.NeuroscienceSchool.com/join

Mirasee FM Special Free Offer (Revenue Leak Checklist): www.mrse.co/leak

Dr. Irena is joined by Anke Herrmann to discuss the importance of downtime for reducing stress and improving productivity. Clients often feel guilty taking time off, but breaks lead to better sleep, health, and work output. Likewise, downtime is crucial for the insights that propel success.

In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching, host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices.

Guest Bio:

In 2004, Anke Herrmann quit her software developer career in London, moved to Spain, and turned her passion for sewing into a business, specializing in flamenco dance costumes. “Let's see what happens” was her business plan. It felt like riding a wild elephant until she realized that building a business is a CREATIVE PROCESS, the same as developing software or sewing a dress — a magical mix of vision, skill, and soul.

Now, she brings her background in tech and everything she's learned over the years about business, marketing, and psychology to help passion-driven coaches and educators build a “Boutique Business” that allows them to grow without burning out or scaling the joy out of it.

She's also a certified Clarity Coach, author of Taming the Tech Monster, and founder of Soul Touched by Dogs.

Host Bio:

Dr. Irena O'Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience.

She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit.

Dr. O'Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Dr. Irena O'Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School
Anke’s website: AnkeHerrmann.com
Anke's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anke-herrmann/
Anke’s bonus tool: TheEntrepreneurialExperiment.com

Credits:

Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien
Producer: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker
Artist: Avocado Junkie
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer: Matthew Wigton
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: In This Light
Artist: Sounds Like Sander
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

To catch the great episodes coming up on Neuroscience of Coaching, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channelor your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It’s the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.

Episode transcript: Embracing Downtime (Anke Herrmann) coming soon.