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A daily rep for brain performance | NSF Certified for Sport®

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Why does the the brain ignore the second "the"?

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Your brain is a prediction machine.

When it sees a repeated word, it skips it and fills in a prediction instead of reality.

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This is called "predictive processing" (your brain's version of autocorrect)

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You can improve your brain's predictive processing two ways →

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1) Reps

The more your brain sees a pattern, the faster it recognizes it.

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2) Nutrition

Repetition gives your brain the data, the right fuel helps you process quicker.

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Researchers tested how athletes and non-athletes’ brains responded to the same input.

Athlete brains showed a 54% stronger and longer response.

Source: Cirillo et al., Journal of Physiology, 2009 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.181834

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That difference is how quickly the brain can rewire itself in response to experience.

The faster it rewires, the faster you can learn anything.

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Physical activity makes your brain rewire faster.

Every training session is also a brain training session.

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After a concussion, how do you know if you’re back to 100%?

You are 3-6x more likely to suffer a second concussion if you return too early.

Why? Because even if symptoms go away your brain is not fully operational.

Here are two ways to get back to an elite level faster→

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1) Reset and upgrade your VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex)

The VOR is your brain’s stabilizing system, it keeps your eyes locked on target when your head moves. 

VOR is critical when you sprint, cut, or track a ball in heavy traffic.

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A concussion knocks the VOR out of sync.

This is the main cause of blurriness, dizziness, and balance problems.

By pushing your VOR to the limit, you can find out where you are in your recovery.

Training it daily will help you get back to action faster.

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How to do the “Gaze Drill” aka VORx1

1) Hold a note card with the letter A at arm’s length.

2) Intentionally move your head from side to side while keeping your eyes locked on the letter.

3) The goal is to maintain perfect clarity of the letter.

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2) Once VORx1 is clear and symptom-free, add balancing movements

Your vestibular system must sync vision + posture + movement

Progression:

• Gaze drill standing
• Single-leg stance
• Add light movement or unstable surfaces

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Training your VOR is a non-negotiable to get back to a performance level after a concussion.

Your brain is your most important asset as an athlete. 

Take care of your brain, you only get one.

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Exercise grows your brain

BDNF from workouts sparks new neuron growth, like fertilizer for gray matter

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Stress literally shrinks your brain

Chronic cortisol thins the prefrontal cortex, messing with decisions

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The human brain has more connections than stars in the Milky Way—about 100 trillion synapses

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Brain information travels up to 268 miles per hour

Faster than a Formula 1 race car

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Your brain generates about 20 watts of electricity at rest

Enough to power a dim light bulb