This is Power Athlete Radio.

With your host, Denny K.

Professor Booty and the Luke Summers.

And now, toes forward, hips locked, shoulders set, and retract those scoundulas.

It's time for the knowledge bombs.

Hey, everyone.

Thanks for tuning into Power Athlete Radio.

Today we feature our conversation with the strong and exceedingly smart Allison Brager.

This neuroscientist in CrossFit Games athlete somehow managed to find a time to talk to us about her new book, Meathead, unraveling the athletic brain.

In talking with Allison, we find what inspired her to start researching for her most recent publication.

As she explains, the dichotomy that exists in people of her profession who lift weights is widely

scrutinized.

The old stereotype of, quote, dumb jock still felt strong today, despite evidence to the contrary.

Allison goes on to discuss just how the brain is stimulated and developed simply through the

acquisition of new skills.

Do you know someone who struggles with performing under pressure?

Choking is a phenomena that can be tracked in the brain and approved upon.

This drives our conversation to what can be perceived as the extreme opposite of those who can't control their fear, the daredevil athlete.

Allison explains why she considers herself one and why it puts her at risk for other excessive dopamine-seeking activities.

Finally, what role does sleep play in the brain of an athlete?

This subject is covered almost at nauseam by most specialists, but Allison provides a fresh take on what this really needs in terms of wins and losses.

Traveling across time zones and playing in tournaments or competing has a quantifiable effect on all teams.

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