Sept. 23rd, 2025 - Cognitive Leadership in High-Stress Professions

“Why executives and clinicians must prioritize nervous system
regulation”

An often-used mantra at seminars and conferences for ‘high achievers’ was the “I will
sleep when I am dead” statement made from the stage by an energized speaker who
was pushing you to do more, get more done, and be so much more.
Sadly, this same mantra was taken to heart by far too many people, yours truly
included, in that the proper sleep and rest was overlooked as being either wasteful or
non-productive.

Now articles upon articles show that getting the great sleep and rest helps you to be
even more productive and allows your brain to function at a dramatically higher level.
The ability to be the best leader, performer, executive, clinician, or CEO of any group is
based on your ability to not only handle the stresses, but be able to make the critical
decisions in those situations, and come out on the other side even better. None of this
can be accomplished with your nervous system on tilt.

And please don’t bullshit yourself with the “I work best under stress”. No you don’t.
No. You do not. Tom Brady worked well under those stressful situations because he
practiced being in those situations, and was able to keep his nervous system primed but
not overloaded, able to be in a stressful situation while not being stressed IS an
absolute art and necessity for anyone looking for success in any profession, occupation,
advocation, part time, full time, sport, or relationship. If you have read “TB12”, Brady’s
book you will see that he makes GREAT sleep a major part of his longevity program.
Seems to have paid off well for a guy who was drafted in the sixth round, number 199.
OK, so where to start? Get your nervous system tested.

A fundamental, and foundational test that every person in a high stress position should
have is called Heart Rate Variability, (HRV). I truly believe that it will become a major
assessment tool for your health and longevity. I have been testing people for over 20
years. In that time the testing has become quicker and deeper in that we can now see
even more of you and interpret more. The HRV tests your autonomic (your automatic
nervous system), and measures how your vagus nerve is functioning. I see this test as
being your longevity test, and I think we ALL should have it tested on a regular basis.
Some articles for those of you who will dive deeper:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21773-heart-rate-variability-hrv

https://www.verywellhealth.com/heart-rate-variability-5215411
https://cardiomood.com/2023/06/17/what-is-a-good-hrv-by-age/

So first, get tested to see where your nervous system base line is.
Then, start the work of making you better so you think better, are better prepared for
success, and able to follow through on your targets.

This is where the exercise (MOTION), nutrition (ROCKET FUEL), head space (MENTAL
REST & FOCUS) all come into play. Feed your brain with physical motion, and rocket
fuel and you have made a foundation for success.

If you knew it was going to be storming out, you would prepare by having a really big
umbrella. So, let’s make a big umbrella of you, and have your nervous system able to
adapt to the stresses you will have coming on.
We start with the testing and then work on the other steps.

Once you engage in the process of an even better you, not only do you give yourself a
cognitive advantage, but you are also able to handle the stresses better. That is where
the leaders stand, in that arena of the ability to handle the stresses better. They do it.
So can you.

Any way I can be of help would be my honor.

-Dr. Otto Janke, Chief Pilot
Empire Longevity