#40 - Dave Whitley: Enhance Performance Through Breathing

In the 40th Episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest the Motivational speaker and author of the book Superhuman YOU, Dave Whitley will talk about the definition and benefits of breath training, Wim Hof’s breath training method, breath training throughout history, the impact of breathing on performance & mental illnesses, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (2:20) Introducing our special guest Motivational Speaker and Author of the book Superhuman YOU Dave Whitley @irontamer(3:15) Who is Dave Whitley?(3:35) Shout out to The Breakthrough Secrets Podcast(3:40) Superhuman YOU by Dave Whitley @irontamer(4:15) Breath training(4:55) Biggest objection about breathing training(5:20) Benefits of breath training(6:25) Breath training throughout history(6:50) Interface between the conscious and unconscious mind(8:15) “We can definitely, undoubtedly influence our body chemistry through our breathing.” - Dave Whitley @irontamer(8:15) What breathing can do?(10:55) “If you really want to get down in the cellular chemical level stuff you need your breathing to penetrate that.” - Dave Whitley @irontamer(11:05) Shout out to Wim Hof @iceman_hof(11:05) Breath training for mental illness(13:25) Dave’s 2 breathwork school of thoughts(13:45) What Dave loves about Wim Hof’s breath training @iceman_hof(14:40) Dave’s experience with cold exposure(15:45) Dave’s mother’s death(16:05) National Geographic documentary(18:15) The swimmer’s hippy mindset(19:05) The swimmer’s origin story(20:40) Becoming the Iceman: Pushing Past Perceived Limits by Justin Rosales and Wim Hof Linkedin: Justin Rosales @iceman_hof(21:10) The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential by Wim Hof(21:50) 3 minutes in ice-cold lake water(22:55) “If you wanna play in cold, get in it and get out of it before it gets in you.” - Wim Hof @iceman_hof(24:20) Lack of focus in water(25:05) The mindset(25:35) Should you skip cold exposure?(27:15) “The real question is what is the most beneficial, what is the most optimal, and what do I want to do.” - Dave Whitley @irontamer(27:45) Cold exposure vs breathing: should you choose one?(28:45) Blueprint for experiencing life(29:35) Wim Hof’s approach(30:20) 2014 cold lake experience(32:20) Effect of nutrition on performance(34:00) Does breathing affect our performance?(36:20) Benefits of cold exposure(40:55) The actual length of blood vessels(41:20) Heart’s reaction to exposure to cold(46:35) Breath ladders(47:25) Dave’s notebook(48:30) Dave’s friend’s death Bud Jeffries @budjeffries(49:45) Midlevel breath training(53:00) Overview of Wim Hof’s method @iceman_hof(56:10) Forcing nasal breathing is not good(1:01:00) Breath in and let go(1:02:25) One set of Wim Hof breathing training @iceman_hof(1:04:00) Full breath definition(1:09:45) Benefits of the full breath(1:11:15) Tips for cold exposure(1:14:00) Meditation during breath training(1:15:00) Emotional responses to breath training(1:18:10) Dave’s Nashville workshop(1:18:45) Get Superhuman You by Dave Whitley for freehttps://www.superhumanyoubook.com(1:19:25) Superhuman You Coachinghttps://www.superhumanyoucoaching.com/landing-page1611256636142