We revisit this episode featuring guest Dr. Ana Melikian as she and Dr. Irena explore deliberate practice, culture, and self-awareness. They discuss practical strategies for managing energy, avoiding full burnout, and fostering a balanced productive life through mindfulness and strategic rest.

In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching, host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Ana Melikian is a speaker, top 1% podcaster, and the author of MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential, a #1 Amazon Best-Seller in Organizational Learning. Ana earned a Ph.D. and two masters in Psychology, laying a solid foundation for her work that integrates research data with practical applications. She is also a cancer survivor, embodying resilience and inspiring change through self-leadership. Dr. Melikian is at the forefront of navigating the human side of the AI disruption. Her work aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence to leverage our human potential, ensuring that technological advancements enhance — rather than diminish — our humanity and collective well-being. It’s all about impact without burnout.

Host Bio:

Dr. Irena O’Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience.

She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit.

Dr. O’Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Dr. Irena O’Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School
Ana’s Website: AnaMelikian.com
Neuroscience of Coaching Ep 17: Embracing Downtime (Anke Herrmann)

Credits:

Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien
Producer: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker
Artist: Avocado Junkie
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer: Matthew Wigton
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: In This Light
Artist: Sounds Like Sander
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

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Episode transcript: Producer’s Pick: Burnout in the Age of Hustle (Ana Melikian) coming soon.