Try a Little Tenderness: Exploring ‘Rest With Awareness’ alongside iRest Yoga Nidra Expert Annie Okerlin Artwork

Mental Training Lab

Master your mental game with the Mental Training Lab, hosted by Pete Kadushin. With 15 years of coaching experience and a PhD in performance psychology, Pete digs deep each episode to provide practical tools and expert insights so you can perform your best when it matters most. Enhance your focus, harness stress, and overcome challenges whether you’re an athlete, leader, or high-performer. Subscribe to learn how to elevate your game in work, play, and life.

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Mental Training Lab

Try a Little Tenderness: Exploring ‘Rest With Awareness’ alongside iRest Yoga Nidra Expert Annie Okerlin

July 15, 2025 • Pete Kadushin, PhD • Season 1 • Episode 56

Is it possible to truly rest and reset, even amidst constant stress and high performance demands? In this episode, I sit down with Annie Okerlin, Yoga Nidra and iRest instructor who has spent decades guiding veterans, first responders, athletes, and top performers to profound states of rest and resilience.

I first met Annie back in 2019 when she masterfully guided a room full of veteran detectives through a iRest yoga nidra practice that left a lasting impression on me. Annie’s approach is anchored in her presence, which comes through loud and clear in this conversation; on top of that, she expertly blends traditional yoga practices with scientifically-backed techniques designed specifically for high-stress environments and individuals navigating trauma or intense pressure.

Tune in to find out:

What exactly is iRest and how is it different from other forms of yoga and meditation?
How embracing and welcoming discomfort can profoundly enhance performance
The power of structured relaxation in achieving peak performance, better sleep, and deeper resilience
Real-life stories of veterans and first responders reclaiming their lives through the simplicity of relaxation and awareness

If you’re looking to reset your nervous system, find more clarity under pressure, or maybe simply find more balance in your life, this conversation provides practical, actionable insights from one of the field’s leading experts. Tune in to find how to rest smarter, perform better, and embrace your full human experience.

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