How neuroscience can supercharge leadership...and your life

What if leadership wasn’t just about skill but about your brain? In this deeply insightful episode of the mentl space, Scott Armstrong sits down with Jason Leavy, founder of Prime Performance Labs and judge for 'the mentl awards 2025' and cognitive neuroscientist Samira Cutts, to explore how brain science, neuroplasticity, and emotional intelligence are transforming leadership in the modern workplace.We talk burnout, hustle culture, emotional regulation, sleep, purpose, and even why your leg strength could determine your brain health. And Scott opens up on-air about his own personal trauma and transformation - and how that’s shaped his purpose and drive today.🎧 Whether you're a CEO, an entrepreneur, or just someone who wants to live and lead better, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed tools to help you become the best version of yourself.🏆 Learn more about 'the mentl awards 2025' and enter today at mentlawards.comChapters:00:00 – Intro: What is Mental Wealth?01:01 – What is Prime Performance Labs?01:49 – Neuroscience in leadership: what’s new?03:12 – Explaining brain function for better leadership04:26 – Can bad leaders become better?05:14 – Rewiring the brain: The growth mindset06:39 – Jason’s personal leadership journey09:40 – What does a cognitive neuroscientist do?11:48 – Brain connectivity and executive function13:40 – Fixing imbalances with neurotechnology15:15 – Aging, neuroplasticity & leg strength17:12 – Why we need an integrated approach18:51 – Modern workspaces and immobility20:48 – Hustle culture vs. performance science23:04 – Chronic stress, inflammation & health risks27:54 – Why leaders are ignoring mental health data29:23 – Switching off: the power of down-regulation31:05 – Stigma: Mental health ≠ weakness32:02 – The ROI of mental performance34:34 – What does prime performance mean?35:30 – Scott’s own health assessment begins38:40 – Why poor sleep is ruining your brain41:19 – Nutrition & alcohol’s cognitive impact43:09 – Stress, trauma & the power of awareness47:13 – Scott’s story: purpose and healing50:05 – Purpose as a performance driver53:30 – Science of purpose and occupational therapy55:39 – Purpose with a small "p"56:26 – Sustainable transformation, not quick fixes57:18 – Social media myths & fitness pressure58:41 – Building inclusive, authentic health habits59:44 – Three simple brain-body performance tips1:01:56 – Final thought: Treat emotions as data1:03:52 – One more thing… Embrace adversity