The Three Brains: Unlocking the Mental Edge in Performance and Leadership
- Robert James
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
As a Mental Performance Coach, one of the most impactful frameworks I teach high performers—especially athletes—is this:
You don’t just have one brain.
You have three.
Each part plays a different role in how you handle pressure, make decisions, and perform at your best.
Here’s the breakdown:
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1. Reptilian Brain (Brainstem / Paleocortex)
This is your instinctive brain.
It controls survival functions like heartbeat, breathing, and automatic responses like fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.
It’s fast, reactive, and designed to protect you—but it doesn’t think.
Under stress, this brain may hijack your performance if left unchecked.
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2. Mammalian Brain (Limbic System / Midbrain)
This is your emotional brain.
It handles feelings, memories, and relationships—and stores emotional data from past experiences.
When you feel triggered or overwhelmed, this brain is likely in charge.
It’s powerful, but it’s not always rational.
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3. Human Brain (Neocortex)
This is your executive brain.
It governs logic, reasoning, focus, planning, and conscious decision-making.
This is the part of the brain you want leading during high-stakes moments—on the field, in business, or in life.
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Why It Matters
When your reptilian or emotional brain takes over, you may act from fear, impulse, or habit.
But when you engage the neocortex, you access clarity, control, and composure.
That’s the mental edge—and it can be trained.
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Client Story: “I Just Snapped…”
A pro athlete I work with was ejected from a game after losing his temper.
“I don’t even know what happened,” he said. “I just snapped.”
We broke it down.
The reptilian brain had taken over the moment he felt disrespected—fight mode kicked in before his thinking brain could respond.
Through coaching, we trained awareness, breathing, and emotional regulation.
Weeks later, faced with the same pressure, he stayed calm and led his team forward.
That’s not talent.
That’s training.
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Try This:
Next time you feel triggered, ask yourself:
Which brain is in charge right now?
Then pause. Breathe. Get curious.
That shift alone can move you from reaction to response, from surviving to leading.
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Coaching isn’t just about motivation.
It’s about mental mastery.
Understanding your three brains is a powerful step toward unlocking your full potential—on and off the field.
Let’s get to work.
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