Tim and Ben love breathing. Not just for the fact that it keeps them alive (although that is undoubtedly a strong benefit…) but also for the opportunity it gives to tap into the body’s autonomic nervous system and impact its emotional state. In this episode, they speak with Martin McPhilimey – someone who was researching the impacts of breath long before it was cool - and find out how the differences between some popular breathing techniques and when these are best applied.

07:30 Breath as the ‘core of the dynamic interplay’ between mind and body

08:30 Martin’s background – how he got interested in stress, breathing and sleep

10:30 The link between breathing and sleep

15:00 The importance of being a scientist and a practitioner

16:00 How Martin starts with a new client

21:00 The impacts and requirements for oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body

22:00 What is air hunger, why is it so powerful and what triggers it?

28:50 The benefits of increasing our air hunger tolerance

33:20 Using wearables to monitor and improve your breathing

36:15 Martin’s take on the utility and applicability of some of the more popular breathing techniques, including:

37:00 Box (or combat!) breathing…

38:30 …4-7-8 breathing…

40:25 ..and could 4-7-20 be better than 4-7-8?!...

41:00 …the physiological sigh, and…

43:45 Wim Hof or tummo style hyperventilation techniques

47:30 What Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can teach you about breath

51:00 Tips and trick for increasing our tolerance to air hunger?

54:30 Martin’s business – Performance Through Health

59:15 The Performance Through Health breath science certification

1:01:30 How to incorporate breathing techniques for children

1:04:00 What does Martin do for Martin? (Including his jiu-jitsu practice with Ground Control Jiu-Jitsu)

External Links

Performance Through Health

Martin’s Insta – some great stuff on here, give him a follow

Martin’s LinkedIn

Contact Us

www.unforgiving60.com

Email us at debrief@unforgiving60.com

Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60

Music …. With thanks to:

The Externals – available on Spotify