Why Brainspotting is My Newest Training Tool

In the fitness world, we talk a lot about "mind-muscle connection." We focus on the intentional squeeze of a glute or the bracing of a core. But recently, I’ve been diving into a different kind of connection—one that happens deep within the subcortical brain.

As I’ve progressed in my own journey as a coach and an athlete, I realized that some "blocks" couldn't be coached away with better form or a stricter diet. That realization led me to Brainspotting, a powerful, focused treatment tool that works by identifying, processing, and releasing core neurobiological sources of emotional/body pain and trauma.

Here is why I’ve integrated this into my trauma therapy work and why I believe it is the "missing link" for true, holistic wellness.

What is Brainspotting?

Developed by Dr. David Grand, Brainspotting operates on the motto: "Where you look affects how you feel."

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which engages the neocortex (the thinking, rational brain), Brainspotting targets the subcortical brain—the area responsible for motion, consciousness, and survival. Trauma isn't just a "memory" stored in your head; it is a physiological event stored in your nervous system.

By finding a "Brainspot"—a specific eye position that correlates with a felt sense of tension or emotion in the body—we can access the deep-seated "frozen" data that the rational mind can't reach.

The Body Keeps the Score (of Your Lifts, Too)

You might wonder why a fitness coach is talking about trauma therapy. The reality is that trauma and chronic stress reside in the tissues. If you have ever felt a random wave of anxiety during a heavy set, or if you find yourself "disassociating" or "checking out" during your workouts, that is your nervous system talking. For years, I approached fitness as a way to "overcome" or "control" my body. But trauma work teaches you that you cannot dominate your way to healing.

How Brainspotting relates to my fitness:

• Releasing Physical Armor: When we experience trauma, our bodies create "bracing patterns." You might chronically hold tension in your hips or jaw. Brainspotting helps release that neurological "holding," allowing for better mobility and a more fluid connection to movement.

• Healing the "Safety" Mechanism: If your brain doesn't feel safe, it will not prioritize building muscle or burning fat—it will prioritize storage and protection. By processing trauma, I am teaching my nervous system that it is safe to be in the "rest and digest" state.

• Ending the Performance Mask: For a long time, "high performance" was a mask I wore to feel in control. This therapy is helping me move from performing wellness to actually embodying it.

Why Now?

I’ve reached a point where my physical strength has outpaced my internal regulation. I can lift heavy weights, but I want to be able to carry the "weight" of my past with the same ease.

Diving into this work now is about integration. I am no longer interested in a fitness routine that ignores my mental health, or a therapy routine that ignores my physical body.

Brainspotting allows me to bridge that gap. It is a somatic (body-based) approach that honors the fact that my biceps and my brain are part of the same ecosystem.

The Lesson for You

If you feel like you are hitting a plateau—not just in the gym, but in your relationship with yourself—it might be time to look "under the hood."

True wellness isn't just about how you look in the mirror; it’s about how you feel living inside your skin. Sometimes, the most "hardcore" thing you can do for your fitness is to sit still, find your spot, and let your nervous system finally breathe.

If you are interested in somatic work or Brainspotting, I highly recommend seeking out a certified practitioner who specializes in trauma-informed care.