Unlocking Elite Performance with Dr. Tommy Wood

In this episode of Performance That Matters, I sit down with Dr. Tommy Wood — an MD trained at the University of Oxford with a Ph.D. in physiology and neuroscience from the University of Oslo  — to unpack the science behind elite human performance. Dr. Tommy Wood shares his insights from helping Formula 1 drivers maintain focus and performance while driving at 200 miles per hour - touching on brain health, recovery, and why chasing perfection might be killing your progress.

We explore the fine balance between performance and longevity, practical takeaways for everyday athletes, and what the latest research actually says about overtraining, sleep, and nutrition. 

🧠 About Dr. Tommy Wood:
Dr. Wood is a research assistant professor at the University of Washington, with a background in medicine and a PhD in physiology and neuroscience. He works with high-performing individuals helping them push the limits while protecting long-term health.

Learn more: https://www.drtommywood.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtommywood/

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00:00 - Intro
02:08 - Who is Dr. Tommy Wood?
05:12 - Working with elite athletes across sports
08:45 - What neuroscience teaches us about performance
14:22 - Stress, recovery, and cognitive fatigue
19:33 - Brain health and long-term performance
26:10 - The myth of perfect training
32:45 - Sleep and overtraining
38:02 - F1 drivers vs. fighters: lessons from both worlds
44:10 - Nutrition and supplementation: what actually matters
49:50 - Longevity vs. short-term performance
55:15 - Tommy's personal routine and mindset
01:01:02 - Rapid-fire: Best advice for athletes
01:04:10 - Final thoughts & where to find Tommy