The Resilience Protocol: HRV, Trauma & Performance with Don Moxley

The Resilience Protocol: HRV, Trauma & Performance with Don MoxleyIn this episode of The Stone Protocol, host Light Stone sits down with Don Moxley, a seasoned exercise physiologist, former Ohio State sport scientist, and the Chief Science Officer of Modeen Method. Don bridges the gap between elite athletic performance and the gritty reality of family trauma, explaining how Heart Rate Variability (HRV) serves as a mirror for our internal state. They dive into the mechanics of the autonomic nervous system, the science of the endocannabinoid system, and how to maintain high performance in a high-stress world.Episode DescriptionBeyond the Meat Suit: Decoding the Autonomic Nervous System. Why do some athletes thrive under pressure while others "maladapt" to training? Don Moxley joins Light Stone to discuss his work with national champion wrestlers and Navy SEALs, revealing why resilience is a coachable skill. This episode is for seekers looking for technical advice on using wearable data, the role of omega-3s in resolving inflammation, and why "trainable life events" are more powerful than any gym selfie.Main Topics CoveredThe Autonomic Dial: Understanding the two sides of the autonomic nervous system—Sympathetic (Fight or Flight) and Parasympathetic (Rest and Digest).HRV as a Predictive Tool: How measuring the milliseconds between heartbeats provides a real-time assessment of a person’s stress load and recovery capacity.The "Rattlesnake Pit" of Trauma: A biological look at how childhood hypervigilance shapes the amygdala and drops levels of anandamide (the "Zen molecule").The Endocannabinoid Connection: Exploring why trauma survivors often gravitate toward cannabis and the role of non-THC molecules like CBDA and Beta-caryophyllene in managing the nervous system.Spermidine & Autophagy: Don explains how this "polyamine" methylates genes to trigger cellular cleanup (autophagy).Modeen Method & HRV Plus: The technical formulation behind Don’s supplement, combining Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators (SPMs) with cannabis extracts and magnesium to lower sympathetic drive.The Science of Sleep: Why "hacking the environment" (blackout curtains, no pets on the bed) is non-negotiable for biological recovery.Resilience & Performance TakeawaysOvertraining is Under-recovery: Performance doesn't fail because the work is too hard; it fails because the system is not ready to adapt to the load. Don emphasizes measuring readiness rather than just effort.The "Rocks in the Jar" of Longevity: Focus on purpose first, then fill the jar with movement, nutrient-dense food, sleep, light, and community.Anandamide vs. Dopamine: The "runner's high" is an internal cannabinoid response to movement. If you feel anxious, you may be lacking movement-produced anandamide.Trainable Life Events: True fitness is the physical capacity to enjoy life events on the horizon, like a wedding or a mountain hike, rather than training just to "look good."Connect with Don MoxleyBusiness: Modeen Method (HRV Plus Supplement)Website: TrainRecoverWin.comPodcast: 90% Healthy with Don Moxley and Claudia BalogInstagram: @donmoxleyConnect with Light StoneCoaching & Protocols: stoneprotocol.comInstagram: @lightstone.mediaYouTube: @lightstonemediaIf this conversation helped you understand the connection between your nervous system and your performance, please Like, Subscribe, and Share The Stone Protocol.