Toronto Life & Performance Coaching: Recent Episodes
Jonathan Thomas
Coaching you to happiness, fulfillment, and success. Covering a wide range of topics from anxiety, depression, sport performance, relationships, purpose, and health.
We swap out one Jon for another with our first ever guest to be interviewed in The Manual - John Bestfather. A paramedic, athlete, filmmaker, and summiteer of Canada’s tallest peak - Mount Logan. We chat about how his documentary “Logan” came to fruition, the “lilly pad” analogy of taking a leap for change, motivation, and perspective on how to go for your goals without fear. This page will inspire you to move (or climb) mountains yourself.Logan Documentary: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/loganfilmJohn’s Insta: @johnbestfatherInstagram:@instructionmanualpodcastwww.torontoperformancecoaching.com
If there was ever a real life cheat code similar to the star for Mario, The Wim Hof Method is it. In this episode we discuss “The Ice Man” and his breathing/cold exposure method. The breath is the door, and we can actively and consciously take control of our entire system through this door. Wim has proven over and over again that he can take control of his autonomic nervous system, something that was thought to be impossible. And not only that, he has shown others how to do the same and has the scientific studies to prove it. As we say in this episode, along with the 6 Human Needs, this information may be the most important and valuable tool we’ve come across. “Breathe Motherfucker” - Wim HofAndrew Huberman explanation of the method: https://youtu.be/hBNH_L4fMIg?si=JEWQejHcMb_rExXcWim Hof breathing technique video:https://youtu.be/tybOi4hjZFQ?si=gsbDjuttfp4P5hxa www.torontoperformancecoaching.com Instagram:@instructionmanualpodcast
We share some exciting news and update you on why Jenna’s body is changing… For many women the first time through pregnancy can be the first instance where they feel completely out of control of their body. This feeling of uncertainty in our body is one that we will all face one day, whether it’s through pregnancy, injury, or illness. In this episode we hope to help normalize talking about our bodies changing through different stages of life and speak to how we’ve personally dealt with such changes in our own. We’ve also added in some late 90s TV references for good measure.
We're not neuroscientists. We're not psychologists. And we're certainly not heads of state. But one thing we can confidently say that we are, is deeply concerned with how we as humans are interacting with our phones and addictive technologies.In this episode we once again dive into the buzzword that is Dopamine. Only this time we dive a little deeper, with a little more knowledge, a little more awareness, and a lot more urgency.
Some of the key phrases and ideas include the following:"Dopamine itself is not the reward, it's the buildup to the reward...The pursuit is actually the reward."“The problem is not pleasures. The problem is that pleasure experienced without prior requirement for pursuit is terrible for us. We are going to increasingly find that those who will be successful are going to be those people who can create their own internal buffers.""Dopaminergic systems, which exist even in bees for inducing pleasure to chase the smell of the flowers and collect flower essence, is not constructed, by nature and evolution, to make the humans addicted on purpose; its purpose is creating goals for continuing life and reproducing; because without pleasure and hedonism life would be dull, boring and meaningless."Andrew Huberman animated video: https://youtu.be/ha1ZbJIW1f8?si=LxICptU1_z5ixXXSwww.torontoperformancecoaching.com Instagram:@instructionmanualpodcast
Returning after a two month break, we fill you in on some of the reasons why and what we have in store for the new year. We describe what Jon's definition of a coaching session is and what it entails. As well as some of the recurring themes he's noticing in clientele. In this episode we also offer up a couple useful tools for change that you can do on your own which don't require any training or a coach guiding you. The 'Dickens Pattern' and 'Logical Levels' are invaluable pieces of information that we can all add to our tool belts. Last but not least, no episode would be complete without talking about The Muppets Christmas Carol.
www.torontoperformancecoaching.com Instagram:@instructionmanualpodcast
If you've ever asked yourself the question "Is the juice really worth the squeeze?", then this episode could help you reach your conclusion. We are not oblivious to the stat that over 50% of marriages end in divorce, and that those are just the ones that actually file instead of just staying together unhappily. But in this page, we discuss what we feel all of us know deep down, and that is that love is of course worth the squeeze, and if you have doubts about that then you may just be using the wrong fruit.www.torontoperformancecoaching.com Instagram:@instructionmanualpodcast
…Until they know how much you care. In this episode we take some time to reintroduce ourselves and share a little bit about why we do what we do. We discuss the importance of storytelling when trying to deliver information (thank you for allowing us to practice our storytelling) and throw in a few pirate analogies for good measure. This is the first of many future episodes where you get to hear a husband and wife have an organic unplanned chat and show how we incorporate The Six Human Needs into our day-to-day. www.Torontoperformancecoaching.com Instagram:@instructionmanualpodcast
Forcing ourselves to do an exercise routine we hate may be great for improving our mental strength and our resolve…but in this episode we ask you to consider finding a physical activity that you actually enjoy and one that meets all six of your human needs. We also provide an update to our challenge and the framework and timeline involved.
If Page 9 made you squirm then to quote Home Alone 2… “It ain’t much better in here kid.” In this episode we (some of us more reluctantly) discuss our phone usages and some of the behaviours we notice in ourselves when it comes to technological distractions. We cover how certain social media platforms interact with our brains and how large portions of society are getting lost in these “Venus human traps.” We leave you with a challenge and some ideas to help harness the supercomputer that sits atop of your shoulders. www.Torontoperformancecoaching.com Instagram:@instructionmanualpodcast
Over these past few years the word “burnout” has appeared in the news and headlines more times than we can count. During the pandemic and even still today it seems like more and more industries and workplaces are experiencing problems with staffing, productivity, and the mental health of employees. Burnout pops up again and again in these sectors and we are left to our own devices to figure out what it means, what causes it, and what exactly to do about it. In this episode we try to get a grip on the elusive burnout meaning and define what it means to us as individuals, and some of the tools that can be used to combat it. www.Torontoperformancecoaching.com Instagram:@instructionmanualpodcast
Public speaking, death, and meditation - Three of the most feared and evaded topics in our society. Meditation is a word that we all put our own meanings to, and something that we can be so quick to dismiss and keep in our blindspots. In this episode we ask each other what our exact definition of meditation is and how we practice it. We also discuss some of the scientific evidence pointing to the benefits of meditation and the mind-body skills that it enhances. If instead of being called meditation, it was called sitting still and breathing…would we all so hastily declare that we’re not that type of person?
We start the first of what will be many future episodes covering how to treat, maintain, and think about our physical health and well-being. In this page we discuss what each of us thinks of when asked the questions "What do you want out of your body?" and "What does the ideal aging process look like?" We speak on the idea of alignment in our bodies and a different way to perceive and think about pain.
Book mentioned is 'Pain Free' by Pete Egoscue and Psoas Major tool is the 'Pro-Rite'. Enjoy!
In this episode we shine a mere flashlight on the vastness of the microbiome of the human gut. In a world full of ever-evolving knowledge and information, understanding and taking ownership of our gut health can make us feel like a ship without a lighthouse. We hope this episode helps steer you to some answers and provides you with the belief that stomach and gut issues don’t have to be the achilles heel of your life.
Love Languages, Meadow Reports, Power of Pauses…These are all just terms and phrases that could be downplayed and disregarded. But if really listened to and applied, these pieces of information can transform and improve your romantic relationship like no other.
We avoid thinking about it. It’s uncomfortable to talk about. But like anything, it gets easier the more you think about it, visualize it, and talk about it. Have a listen to normalize the conversation around end of life.
In our longest in-depth conversation to date, we start off with “floating” and how sensory deprivation tanks have helped us throughout the years. Next we recap the Six Human Needs Model and jump into how we use emotions to meet these needs. Specifically we reference feelings of anxiety, anger, sadness and depression.
Communication is about more than just the words and vocabulary you use. BUT in this episode we focus on the power (both destructive and constructive) of the words you use and the questions you ask.
We dive into the mindsets around vacation and travelling. How to enjoy your time away from home, and how to enjoy it when you return.
We introduce ourselves and speak about what we hope to be able to achieve and provide with this podcast. We also take the first look at The Six Human Needs behaviour model and figure out the microphone and sound quality.