Summary of #28 The Power of States: Briana Bowley on Transforming Stress into Strength

Ann-Marie Antic • April 14, 2025

Summary of #28 The Power of States: Briana Bowley on Transforming Stress into Strength

In a world that never slows down, mastering your nervous system could be the ultimate performance edge—whether you're chasing personal bests in sport or breaking new ground in business. In this episode of the D8 Training Podcast, Ann-Marie Antic chats with Briana Bowley, a nervous system and performance coach. She breaks down how our body reacts to stress—and how we can use that knowledge to perform at our best.

The Nervous System: More Than Fight or Flight

Briana explains the different nervous system states:

  • Fight or Flight: Our survival mode.
  • Freeze: When we shut down under pressure.
  • Ventral Vagus State: The ideal state for performance—where calm, creativity, and problem-solving happen.

Too often, people get stuck in survival mode, which:

  • Reduces clear thinking
  • Impacts decision-making
  • Limits performance


Self-Awareness is a Superpower

Briana encourages us to tune into how our body responds to stress.

✅ Track your emotional and physical responses
✅ Identify your personal triggers
✅ Learn how to shift back to a calm, safe state

This awareness helps you take control—whether you're on the field or in the boardroom.


Redefining Mental Resilience

Everyone has resilience, but it shows up in different parts of life.

🧠 Briana’s tip: Align your actions with your values.
When you do what truly matters to you, resilience becomes more natural and sustainable.


Less is More: A New Approach to Performance

Briana’s strategy for peak performance is simple but powerful:

  • Focus on one thing at a time
  • Avoid multitasking overwhelm
  • Build calm and clarity through consistent small steps


Why This Episode Matters

Whether you’re:

  • An athlete chasing a PB
  • A business leader managing stress
  • Or simply navigating life’s daily pressures…

This episode gives you practical tools to shift from survival mode to thriving.


🎧 Tune In & Transform

Listen here to Episode 28 now and discover how to:

  • Rewire your nervous system
  • Manage stress with confidence
  • Reconnect with your values
  • Unlock your full potential


🔗 Connect with Briana Bowley

Want to dive deeper into your own performance potential?

👉 Connect on Instagram Briana Bowley, The Bowley Blueprint or Facebook.

🎯 Curious about how your nervous system responds to stress? Visit her website to learn more about her coaching programs

🧬 Take Briana’s Archetype Quiz to discover your unique stress-response pattern—and get personalised strategies to shift into your optimal performance state.Take the Archetype Quiz Now.


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