SUMMARY In this episode, Jeremy and Andrew are joined by Matt Thomas and they discuss state change management and its application in martial arts. State change management involves identifying and optimizing different states to achieve desired outcomes. They explore the use of breath work to manage states and prime the body for peak performance. Matt demonstrates the Fire Breath technique, which involves hyper ventilation-style breathing to psych up before a match. He also explains the Calm Down breath technique, which focuses on exhaling longer than inhaling to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. These techniques can be used in both training and competition to enhance performance. This conversation explores the connection between the body and mind and the impact of breathwork on performance in chess boxing and other activities. The guest, Matt, shares various breathing techniques for relaxation and peak performance, such as box breathing and the 4-7-8 breath. He explains how breathwork can help control the body's response to stress and improve focus and decision-making. The conversation also delves into the mental shift required in chess boxing and the importance of harmony and triumph in winning. Matt discusses the F.I.G.H.T. acronym for peak performance and the potential applications of breathwork in different situations. Lastly, he shares his efforts to grow the sport of chess boxing and offers resources for those interested in learning more about breathwork and state change management. TAKEAWAYS *Breathwork can have a significant impact on performance by controlling the body's response to stress and improving focus and decision-making. *Different breathing techniques, such as box breathing and the 4-7-8 breath, can be used for relaxation and peak performance in various situations. *In chess boxing, breathwork helps shift the brain's focus from spontaneous cognition to idea evaluation, improving performance in both chess and boxing. *Harmony and triumph, rather than just winning, are important aspects of peak performance. *Breathwork can be applied in different areas of life, such as difficult conversations or important presentations, to achieve desired states and outcomes. *The sport of chess boxing is growing, and there are opportunities to participate in alternate formats, such as point sparring or non-contact versions.

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