Unlocking peak performance through Nervous System Mastery (w/ Jonny Miller)
Today’s guest: Jonny Miller
His big idea: Nervous system mastery.
Jonny Miller has a deep understanding of the physiological connection to our psychological states and eloquently breaks down all of the latest and most compelling science on the topic. If you care about decreasing stress and performing at your best, this is a great chat.
Jonny is a transformational coach and host of the Curious Humans podcast. In this episode, Jonny dives into the science and practice of nervous system regulation, sharing how this foundational skill can help individuals manage stress, increase emotional balance, and perform at their best.
Drawing from his personal experiences and journey of growth, Jonny highlights how mastering the nervous system has been pivotal in overcoming emotional challenges and achieving mental clarity.
Jonny explains how understanding the body’s stress response - along with tools to regulate it - can have a profound impact on how we navigate life’s demands, whether in the realm of entrepreneurship, sports, or creativity.
He breaks down the ways our nervous system impacts our ability to handle stress, recover from burnout, and build long-term resilience.
He breaks down the science behind nervous system regulation (polyvagal theory ftw) and offers practical insights on how breathwork can help anyone handle stress, recover from emotional overwhelm, and build inner strength.
Listen to What’s The Big Idea on your preferred platform below:
Key insights Shared:
The Power of Nervous System Awareness
Jonny shares that nervous system mastery is about cultivating intentionality and agency over your emotional states. By expanding the space between stimulus and response, we can make more conscious decisions and reduce reactivity in life.
The Role of Breathwork in Emotional Regulation
Jonny discusses how specific breathing techniques, such as a longer exhale, can have immediate calming effects. He teaches simple breathwork practices that people can use to down-regulate their nervous system in moments of stress.
Breath and Emotions are Linked
Jonny explains that our breathing patterns are directly linked to emotional expression. By adjusting breath patterns, we can access and release repressed emotions, leading to a greater sense of emotional balance.
Embracing Grief and Emotional Openness
After experiencing personal loss, Jonny talks about how grief allowed him to reconnect with his emotions and become more present in his body. He encourages embracing the full spectrum of emotions, including anger, grief, and shame, as part of the healing process.
Decision-Making and Emotional Intelligence
Jonny emphasizes how emotions drive decisions. Becoming aware of emotional influences helps us make clearer, more aligned decisions in life, especially when navigating personal or professional challenges.
Somatic Awareness and Emotional Triggers
Jonny highlights how important it is to cultivate somatic awareness—the ability to track sensations in the body—so that when we experience emotional triggers, we can process them more effectively instead of becoming reactive.
Polyvagal Theory and Emotional Regulation
Jonny introduces polyvagal theory, explaining the different branches of the nervous system and how awareness of these states can help us return to a grounded, calm state. Recognizing when we’re in sympathetic overwhelm or dorsal shutdown is key to maintaining emotional balance.
To learn more about raz and his work:
Nervous System Mastery: NSMastery.com.
Use the code ‘ANDREW’ which will give you $200 off his great course
Jonny’s Podcast: Curious Humans