Dr. Cheri Mah: Why Sleep Is the Ultimate Performance Drug

Dr. Cheri Mah has spent her career proving what elite athletes are finally starting to take seriously: sleep is not optional — it’s medicine. In this episode of Get Real, the internationally recognized sleep physician and researcher joins Jim to break down how sleep drives performance, recovery, injury prevention, and mental health, both in sports and in life. They explore why chronic sleep deprivation is quietly undermining health outcomes, how teams use sleep data to gain a competitive edge, and what everyday people can learn from the way professional athletes prioritize rest. From circadian rhythm to behavior change, this conversation reframes sleep not as a luxury, but as one of the most powerful and underestimated tools we have for human performance and well‑being.