Performance Rewired

Yuka Sugiura & Nikki Bybee
  • 5.0 (2)
  • LIFE SCIENCES

Performance Rewired is a podcast for movement experts ready to challenge everything they’ve been taught about learning movement and tap into a brain-based approach to performance.  For dancers, gymnasts, artistic athletes, instructors, and coaches who want to understand what’s really behind elite performance. Hosted by Nikki Bybee and Yuka Sugiura, master neuro trainers and performance coaches.

Episodes

  1. APR 29

    Episode 3: Enhancing Movement Through Vision - The Power of Eye Training in Dance and Gymnastics Performance

    Discover how your eyes influence movement, performance, and overall physical health. This episode explores the deep connection between vision and motor skills, providing practical insights into improving visual skills for athletes and movers alike. Key topics The critical role of vision in motor development and movement efficiencyHow early eye tracking (smooth pursuit) influences locomotionThe connection between eye health, movement, and neck painAssessment tools for visual system deficiencies impacting performancePractical drills to enhance visual skills such as smooth pursuit, saccades, and accommodationThe impact of visual training on athletic reflexes, balance, and confidenceReweighting neural pathways through targeted eye exercisesCase studies: from dance to sports—how vision training improves outcomesThe relationship between visual input and reprogramming motor patternsSimple daily eye exercises for immediate movement and performance benefitsTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the importance of vision in movement00:21 - Personal updates and new neuro performance mentorship program 02:18 - How visual skills impact athletic performance 04:20 - Visual system's role from infancy to adult movement 05:51 - How vision influences safety, balance, and coordination 06:02 - Developmental milestones: eye tracking and locomotion 07:36 - The significance of visual skills like focus, acuity, and pursuit 08:56 - Vision as a primary sensory input for spatial awareness 09:23 - Consequences of vision impairments on confidence and movement 11:18 - Visual skills assessment and neural pathways 12:34 - How eye motion reveals neurological and motor coordination issues 13:44 - Practical examples: improving sports performance with visual drills 16:56 - The impact of focus, accommodation, and eye muscle efficiency 20:23 - Visual training's effect on high-level performance and reflexes22:44 - Simple drills to train smooth pursuit, saccades, and near-far focus 35:51 - Incorporating eye exercises into daily routines for performance gains 39:20 - Final thoughts on vision training as a foundational tool for movement improvementResources & Links: Rewiring Performance Mentorship (Enrollment opens May 4th)Smooth Pursuits - An exercise for the cerebellumHorizontal Saccades - An exercise for the frontal lobePencil Push-ups - An exercise for convergenceConnect with Nikki and Yuka! Yuka - IG:  @levelupneuroNikki - IG: @bybee_nikkiJoin our newsletters:  LevelUp NewsletterElevated Performance NewsletterYouTube: @performance-rewired

    42 min

  2. APR 15

    Episode 1: Understanding the Frontal Lobe

    In this episode, we explore how the frontal lobe influences movement, decision-making, and inhibition, with insights from dancers, gymnasts, and case studies. We discuss practical drills and exercises to activate the frontal lobe, improve movement initiation, and reduce unnecessary tension, enhancing athletic performance and everyday function. Key topics: The anatomy of the frontal lobe: primary motor cortex, motor association cortex, prefrontal cortex, Broca's area, and the frontal eye fieldHow the frontal lobe controls movement initiation, planning, and inhibitionThe relationship between the frontal lobe and movement disorders like Parkinson’s and ADHDPractical exercises: Stroop activity, saccades, and balance drills to activate and train the frontal lobeThe impact of frontal lobe activity on movement fluidity, tension, and reflexive responsesCase studies: eye movement delay in patients with brain tumors and personal experiences with initiation/inhibition challengesThe global influence of frontal lobe function on daily habits, gait, and emotional regulationTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the episode and the importance of studying the frontal lobe in movement02:25 - Overview of the frontal lobe regions involved in movement control03:06 - Primary motor cortex and inhibition versus initiation roles04:01 - The motor association cortex as the brain’s navigator for movement plans05:01 - Executive functions housed in the prefrontal cortex: decision-making and emotionalregulation06:26 - The frontal lobe as the brain’s CEO in movement07:06 - Coordination of brain regions for seamless responses08:00 - How the brain anticipates and prepares for movement using the motor association cortex09:22 - The impact of over-monitoring on movement fluidity and tension10:20 - Fear, mental rehearsal, and the "frozen" states in movement execution11:19 - Case study: eye movement delays post-brain tumor removal12:23 - Personal experiences with initiation delays in weight training and eye pursuits15:34 - Broader effects: initiation issues in habits and early signs of neurodegenerative conditions19:47 - Drills to activate the frontal lobe: Stroop activity, saccades, and balance exercises23:32 - Practical application in dance, gymnastics, and athletic training24:33 - Using saccades and inhibitory games to enhance power and fluidity in movement31:37 - Closing thoughts and reflection on the global influence of frontal lobe functionResources & Links: Stroop Test ExplanationSaccades and Eye Movement DrillsConnect with Yuka and Nikki: Yuka - IG @levelupneuroNikki - IG: @bybee_nikkiJoin our newsletters: LevelUp NewsletterElevated Performance Newsletter

    30 min

  3. APR 15

    Episode 2: Unlocking Movement Mastery - The Power of the Cerebellum

    Discover how understanding and training the cerebellum can dramatically enhance coordination, balance, and agility—especially for dancers, gymnasts, athletes and movement enthusiasts. Join us as we explore the brain's tiny yet mighty structure that controls precision, muscle tone, and error correction in movement. In this episode: The cerebellum's core functions: accuracy, balance, and coordinationHow cerebellar drills improve trunk control, eye movement, and limb precisionThe significance of right-left limb balance and strategies to assess imbalancesSimple assessment tools: RAPS, heel-to-shin, and eye trackingPractical drills for cerebellar training to boost athletic performance The impact of cerebellum health on muscle tone, and postureRelationship between cerebellar function and neurological conditions like hypotoniaHow to tailor training programs based on cerebellar assessmentsTimestamps 00:00 - Introduction to the cerebellum's role in movement00:48 - The cerebellum and trunk control: a dancer's story01:06 - Coordination in sprained ankles and brain-body maps02:07 - How cerebellar function affects angular vs. smooth movement04:11 - The ABCs of the cerebellum: accuracy, balance, coordination04:43 - Error detection and correction: refining motor plans05:13 - How the cerebellum acts as a project manager in movement06:40 - Signs of cerebellar imbalance: stiffness and angularity07:09 - Regulation of muscle tone and reflexive postural control07:49 - Roadside cerebellar tests and eye coordination drills09:16 - Personal gaze stabilization exercises and their benefits10:24 - Zones of the cerebellum: vermis, intermediate, lateral zones11:21 - Assessing limb control and fine motor skills12:57 - The importance of bilateral training in dance and gymnastics15:23 - Assessment tools: diadochokinesia, heel-to-shin, circle drawing18:13 - Recognizing cerebellar deficiency: slow and flailing movements20:22 - Foot and leg coordination tests for balance and power23:01 - Posture and muscle tone: cerebellar contributions25:23 - The spinocerebellum and eye convergence in sports27:27 - The cerebellum's neuronal density and metabolic impact28:52 - Practical outcomes of cerebellar training: better coordination, balance, and strength30:39 - Tailoring cerebellar drills for individual imbalances32:42 - Recognizing and addressing hypotonia related to cerebellar lesions33:04 - Final thoughts on the tiny but powerful cerebellumResources & Links RAPS (Rapid Alternating Pronation / Supination) also known as diadochokinesia, the ability to perform fast alternating movementsConnect with Nikki and Yuka! Yuka - IG:  @levelupneuroNikki - IG: @bybee_nikkiJoin our newsletters:  LevelUp NewsletterElevated Performance NewsletterYouTube: @performance-rewired

    36 min
  4. Trailer

    MAR 30

    Trailer

    Welcome to the trailer for Performance Rewired! In this episode we talk about our backgrounds, why we wanted to start a podcast, and how we hope to educate gymnasts, dancers, coaches and instructors on what it actually means to apply neuroscience to these pursuits, how you and your students can benefit, and share practical ways to do it. Things we covered: •Why we started a podcast •Our background and education, how we came to neuroscience and why it’s now central to how we work •How conventional training falls short •The brain’s role in movement •Real-world success stories •Key take-aways and what’s next Connect with Yuka and Nikki: Yuka - IG @levelupneuro Nikki - IG: @bybee_nikki Join our newsletters: LevelUp Newsletter Elevated Performance Newsletter

    14 min
  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Performance Rewired is a podcast for movement experts ready to challenge everything they’ve been taught about learning movement and tap into a brain-based approach to performance.  For dancers, gymnasts, artistic athletes, instructors, and coaches who want to understand what’s really behind elite performance. Hosted by Nikki Bybee and Yuka Sugiura, master neuro trainers and performance coaches.

Information

  • Creator
    Yuka Sugiura & Nikki Bybee
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Performance Rewired
  • Show Website
    Performance Rewired

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