The Brain Always Wins

In this episode Julian Saad and Dr. John Sullivan define and discuss CNS Resilience. This episode identifies the neurophysiological implications of readiness and adaptation in the context of human performance, and draws links between resilience and hormesis. Enjoy the show!

Many say, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." While this is not necessarily true, there is some truth when we consider how stimuli that are inherently toxic or harmful can strengthen our resilience. This principle is the driver of dose-response phenomenon called "hormesis." This concept suggests that stress, when properly dosed, yields stimulation and growth. Simultaneously, when improperly dosed, stress yields toxicity or inhibition. Join Julian and Dr. Sullivan as they discuss the important applications of the biphasic dose-response to science and every day life!

Why must we distinguish brain health from mental health? In this episode, Julian and John discuss the importance of brain health assessments when modeling group and individual long term development. Neurodiversity exists and we must not neglect it!

In this episode Julian Saad and Dr. John Sullivan discuss the synergistic nature of the PROCESS wheel. Human performance is never independent of the human brain. The human brain's processes are multifactorial and linear! Todays episode covers the following topics:
- The Foundations of Synergy, the Final PROCESS Variable
- Stress is NEVER Linear
- Synergy, Exercise Dosing, and Motivation
- Synergy Helps Us Understand Preventative Health
- Genetics, Epigenetics, and Adaptation
- The Difference Between Habitual (Linear) Stress Process and Oscillation Process in Day-to-Day Schedules
- Each PROCESS Variable’s Impact on the Others
- Radical dieting through the lens of Synergy and PROCESS management
- PROCESS vs. One-Size-Fits-All Models
- The Brain Likes Subtle, Predictable Change
- Hormesis, Adaptation, and Biological Plasticity
- The Future of Prevention Lies Within Synergy

Happy New Year BAW Listeners! This episode kicks off the 2017 schedule at the Brain Always Wins. In this episode, Julian and Dr. Sullivan talk about the future of elite sport models and the importance of brain health processes for high performance environments. In this episode you will here these important topics covered:
- The Constructed Term: Student-Athlete
- Brain Health vs. Mental Health
- Brain Health in the NCAA
- Brain Health and Recruitment into the Workplace
- The importance of Brain Health Resources for Student Athletes
- Health and Performance are NEVER Independent of Each other
- Sport is Trauma
- Assessment is the Gateway to Prevention
- Prevention is the Gateway to High Performance Environment
- Brain Health Assessment in Business
- “The Brain is the Seed of Human Innovation”
- P.R.O.C.E.S.S. is Driven by Human Beings not Revenue
- Prevention Saves Money and Increases Performance
- Over-Training Assessment

Your brain is incredibly efficient. Throughout evolution, our other internal systems developed in concert with our brain. Research is starting to uncover breaking findings on the gut-brain axis that force us to reconsider how we understand the gut microbiome. Join Julian and Dr. Sullivan as they use their gut-instincts to discuss the science of the "second brain."