In this episode of 33 Conversations, Michael Abney sits down with Nate Roy, founder of Cortex Flex and co-founder of Capsule Inc., for a conversation about neuroscience, resilience, leadership, authenticity, and what it really means to grow under pressure.

Nate shares why mindset alone is often not enough, how the nervous system shapes our response to adversity, and why leaders must learn to move between being the teacher and being the student. The conversation explores how pressure constrains the brain, how training can expand our capacity for precision under stress, and why authenticity may be one of the most important leadership skills we often overlook.

Key themes include nervous system regulation, founder resilience, athlete mindset, leadership development, neuroplasticity, emotional adversity, youth athletics, and the role of environment in personal transformation.

This episode is for founders, entrepreneurs, coaches, athletes, parents, educators, and mission-driven leaders who are trying to grow without losing themselves in the process.

It is worth listening to if you are navigating pressure, rebuilding after adversity, questioning old leadership models, or looking for a more grounded way to develop resilience beyond motivational advice.