Nick Bolhuis | How to Leverage Your Breath for Breakthrough

What if the reason you can’t focus, recover, or stay calm… is because you never learned how to BREATHE right?

Based on the statistics (and watching elite athletes compete every day), chances are—you’re doing it WRONG. And that’s a problem…especially if you’re like the elite performers I meet who are running hard all day long — chasing goals, leading teams, providing for their families. 

Behind the scenes, their nervous system is wrecked.

They can’t sleep. They can’t slow down. They’re short with their wife and kids.

And they think it’s a time problem, or a willpower issue.

It’s not. It’s a breathing problem.

That’s why I had to bring on Nick Bolhuis, President of Neuropeak Pro, to this week’s Coming Up Clutch with J.R. show. Nick trains elite performers, including some of my own @mlb clients on how to regulate their body and optimize their brain… starting with their breath.Freddie Freeman… the list goes on.

So, if you want to leverage your breath for more breakthroughs in your life and career, then lock into this episode!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why breathing isn’t just automatic — it’s trainable, and how mastering it can be a game-changer for your stress, focus, and recovery.
• The real reason 90% of pro athletes (and high performers like you) are poor breathers — and what to do about it.
• How to build stillness as a skill, and use your breath to center yourself in pressure-filled moments.
• The truth about nervous system dysregulation — and why your brain and body might be blocking your breakthrough.
• A simple reset ritual to help you stop “hoping” you’ll show up well at home — and actually train for it.
• Why faith, intentionality, and identity in Christ are foundational for showing up as your best in every role.

Key Quotes

• “You’re already breathing. Why not do it better?”- Nick Bolhuis
• “Stillness is a skill. Your breath is the way to train it.” – J.R.

Resources from this Episode

• Website: NeuropeakPro – https://jamesreid.com/breathe 
• LinkedIn: Personal – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-bolhuis-b3a41929/
• Linkedin: Neuropeak Pro – https://www.linkedin.com/company/neuropeakpro/ 
• Instagram: @neuropeakpro – https://www.instagram.com/neuropeakpro/ 

Connect with J.R. 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesJRreid 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesjrreid/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesjrreid/ 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesJRreid
• Website: jamesreid.com
• Check out The Clutch Club™️: jamesreid.com/club (For Men Only)

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.