Episode 14: Building Resilience to Enhance Performance

We explore what resilience means in elite performance and how small movement patterns can reveal opportunities to build capacity. We discuss why resilience involves both the body and the mind, from adapting to physical challenges to staying open to feedback and unexpected changes. **Key topics** - In this episode, we discuss how resilience can help athletes and artists perform at higher level, even when conditions or physical patterns aren’t ideal. - Why examining subtle movement patterns can help identify opportunities for growth, rather than labeling movement as simply good or bad. - How elite performers can still have small deficits or “glitches” in their systems, and how addressing the right one may improve performance. - How movement analysis can be mistaken for criticism, and why curiosity and openness to feedback can help performers make progress. - How sticking to the same routines, locations, or equipment can limit adaptability when competition conditions change. - Building resilience through safe, intentional disruptions in practice or interrupting a familiar routine. - Techniques for nervous system regulation **Timestamps** - 00:00 - Opening the conversation and introducing resilience - 03:16 - Why resilience matters in performance - 04:14 - Looking at movement patterns, not just facial expression - 05:21 - Finding the small challenge that could build capacity - 06:22 - Visual, vestibular, and movement-system inputs - 09:40 - Usain Bolt as an example in a discussion of physical resilience - 12:38 - Why elite performers may still have areas to explore - 15:38 - Simone Biles, pressure, and performance challenges - 17:38 - Breaking down movement without labeling it good or bad - 20:33 - Resilience in viewpoint and openness to feedback - 21:20 - Why top performers are willing to show where they’re struggling - 24:12 - Flexibility, plasticity, and getting out of a fixed routine - 26:31 - Practicing resilience through intentional disruption - 27:24 - The horse example: safely building tolerance for unexpected events - 29:27 - Practical ideas: changing practice positions and using a breath reset - 30:12 - Frontal-lobe training and focus - 31:32 - How physical and mental inputs shape performance **Resources and Links** Physiological sigh demonstration video **Connect with us** - Yuka-IG: @levelupneuro - Nikki-IG: @bybee\_nikki For practical drills and movement strategies, check out our YouTube Channel. Sign up for newsletters for updates on courses and resources  - Transformation Newsletter - LevelUp Newsletter