I had the fantastic opportunity to sit down in person and talk to my sleep bestie Major Allison Brager about her research and expertise on snoozing. We invaded Valerie's office at Nova Southeastern before our 4th Annual Society for Neurosports Conference and talked about sleep. We also hit on her unique path to serving in the Army, her experience competing in Crossfit, and her casual foray into the United States Astronaut program.

In Allison's words: I am a neurobiologist specializing in sleep and circadian rhythms for the United States Army (active duty). I work on human and animal models of study. This work examines substrates and mechanisms of resiliency to extreme environmental stress (exercise, jet lag, and sleep deprivation). I have several leadership and service positions for the federal government, professional research societies, and university departments. Currently, I sit on fatigue management and neuroenhancement working groups through NATO, US Special Operations Command, the Office of the Army Surgeon General, and inter-government (DoD, NASA, FAA, NHTSA, NIH). I have also written military training doctrine on holistic health and co-authored the first edition of the NCAA student-athlete mental health handbook. I have served on the Board of Directors and have chaired committees for the Sleep Research Society, the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, and Gordon Research Conferences. In addition to peer-reviewed publications in flagship society journals, I have written op-eds and column pieces for Science and professional society bulletins, have been on many podcasts and authored a popular science book, Meathead: Unraveling the Athletic Brain.

So what, now what??

Lack of sleep is fatal, and adequate sleep is a superpower, and as Allison says, "Sleep should be your second job." Although it's tempting to jump to sleep medications, there are many steps along the spectrum in improving sleep, including simply giving yourself an adequate opportunity to get enough sleep.

Take the PSQI (choose PSQI score at the end vs. 'by category')

Check out Allison on IG

Check out PotCake Annie on IG

Buy Allison's book Meathead

Get involved with us and the Society for Neurosports!

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