The Importance of Breathing and Breathwork

In this podcast episode, Mike Watts, a specialist in breathwork for athletes, highlights how crucial breathing techniques are for enhancing athletic performance and promoting overall health. He points out that even top athletes often struggle with poor breathing patterns, which can hinder both their performance and recovery. Watts introduces the "Bolt Score" test as a way to evaluate breathing efficiency and discusses how improving breathing mechanics, biochemistry—like CO2 tolerance and nitric oxide levels—and psychophysiological factors through vagal nerve stimulation can lead to impressive gains in performance and well-being. Additionally, he shares practical tools, such as mouth taping during sleep and mindful breathing exercises throughout the day.