Cognitive Fitness Coach
Cognitive Fitness Coach is a thought-provoking podcast hosted by Chris Norris, a veteran, meditation teacher, and social worker. The host shares his unique perspective on optimizing human performance through meditation, breath, mindfulness, nature, exercise, and wellness practices. Each episode delves into a different aspect of these practices and how they can help listeners improve their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Whether you're a seasoned meditator or just starting to explore the world of mindfulness, this podcast is designed to help you achieve greater clarity, focus, and well-being. With expert and personal interviews, personal anecdotes, and practical tips, the host and guest provide an inspiring and informative look at the importance of cognitive fitness for a better, happier life.
Episodes
60 episodes
Season Three Closer
Season 3 has been about one thing: how to stay human and high-functioning in a world that’s burning people out. In this wrap-up, Coach Chris pulls together the biggest lessons from the season, stories of recovery and transition, nervous-system ...
Echoes from the Street: Trauma, Faith & Redemption with Christopher Littrell
In this powerful and deeply human episode, Chris sits down with Christopher Littrell — Christian, husband, father, U.S. Air Force veteran, retired police officer, endurance athlete, leadership consultant, and author of Echoes from th...
Advanced Breathwork Practice for Stress Relief w/ Chris Norris, MSW
In this guided breathwork session, Coach Chris Norris leads you through an advanced 18-minute breathing practice designed to calm the nervous system, increase focus, and enhance emotional regulation.Using progressive “breath laddering” a...
Head, Heart, and Body: The Integration Journey with Coach Tamra Evangelista
In this episode, Coach Chris sits down with Tamra Evangelista, founder of Inner Depths Empowerment Coaching, to explore what it really means to live as your whole self. After years of checking every box of convention...
Plugged In, Burned Out: A Midlife Wake-Up Call with Chris Norris, MSW
Are you a midlife professional feeling burned out, overstimulated, or just disconnected? You're not alone. In this solo episode, I share my deeply personal journey through digital overload from compulsive scrolling and s...
Collaborative Commons: Building Capacity with Scott Winter
In this episode, Coach Chris sits down with Scott Winter—facilitator, consultant, and founder of Brain-Friendly Dynamics and Collaborative Commons—to explore what it means to build resilience in both people and communities. From guiding organiz...
Staying Human in Polarized Times w/ Coach Chris Norris, MSW
In this solo episode, Chris Norris explores how political violence impacts our nervous system and mental health. Drawing on mindfulness, breathwork, and cognitive fitness practices, he shares tools for staying grounded, limiting reactivity, and...
Focus, Flow, and the Birth of Sukha with Steven Puri
Former Hollywood executive and tech founder Steven Puri joins Coach Chris to share his journey from working on blockbuster films like Independence Day, Die Hard, and Star Trek to building Sukha, a platform designed to ...
Bhramari Pranayama: The Humming Breath for Stress Relief
In this episode of Cognitive Fitness Coach, Coach Chris guides you through Bhramari Pranayama — the Bee’s Breath. This simple yet powerful breathwork practice uses humming on the exhale to calm the nervous system, quiet the mind...
Sparking Insight with Carlot de Bont- Neuro Emotional Integration (NEI) Practitioner
In this eye-opening conversation, Coach Chris sits down with Carlot de Bont to explore the fascinating world of Neuro Emotional Integration (NEI)—a modality that blends traditional Chinese medicine, subconscious healing, and polyvagal-in...
Advanced Breath Practice; Lo- Fi Sound Structures
This is a structured, advanced breathwork practice designed to activate your nervous system and then settle it into deep stillness. Three rounds of rapid breathing are each followed by progressively longer breath retention...
Built to Last: Mental Fitness, Breath, and the Science of Resilience with David Amerland
How do we build a life that’s not just high-performing, but sustainable, intentional, and mentally strong?In this episode of the Cognitive Fitness Coach Podcast, host Coach Chris Norris sits down with author and thought l...
From the Bottle to the Black Mirror: Finding Peace & Freedom w/ Jesse Carrajat
What happens when one addiction fades and another quietly takes its place?In this raw and revealing conversation, Coach Chris sits down with Jesse Carrajat—Marine veteran, health coach, and host of the
The Night Before the Race Meditation
A grounding, heart-centered meditation for trail runners preparing to meet their limits with courage and compassion. This 18-minute guided practice helps calm pre-race anxiety, shift from self-doubt to inner trust, and anchor into the joy of si...
Two Guys from Albany, New York: A Real Talk with Greg Aidala
In this episode, Coach Chris Norris reconnects with longtime friend and former classmate Greg Aidala for an honest, humorous, and heartfelt conversation that spans decades of life experience. Growing up together in Albany, NY and at...
Forged in Adversity: Mental Toughness, Cold Exposure & Confidence with Coach Chris Gingrich
In this powerful episode, the Cognitive Fitness Coach and Coach Chris Gingrich dive deep into mental resilience, peak performance, and navigating life’s toughest transitions. With shared experiences in Naval Special Warfare, they discuss how hi...
Anything is Possible; Andrew Mayne Transforms Pain into Purpose
In this episode, Cognitive Fitness Coach Chris sits down with Andrew Mayne, a veteran, endurance athlete, and mindfulness advocate whose journey is a powerful testament to resilience and transformation. After serving d...
Unlock Your Calm: Breathwork to Reset Your Nervous System
In this episode, we explore a powerful breathwork practice designed to bring clarity, calm, and control to your mind and body. Through four rounds of rhythmic breathing with intentional retentions, you’ll experience a reset for your nervous sys...
Suffering with Purpose: The Endurance and Impact of Keith Eckert
In this episode, we sit down with Keith Eckert, a former Naval Academy graduate who pursued SEAL training but was medically disqualified after four attempts. Instead of letting that setback define him, Keith turned to ultra-endurance spo...
Season Three Opener!
Welcome to the Season Three premiere of Cognitive Fitness Coach! Join host Coach Chris as he reflects on the powerful guest stories from past episodes—ranging from veterans and first responders to educators, athletes...
Season Two Closing Meditation
15 minute guided meditation helps you cultivate a sense of safety, connection, and security in your relationships, beginning with the relationship you have with yourself. Through grounding techniques, affirmations, and visualization, you'll exp...
Box Breathing and Body Awareness Meditation
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this meditation tutorial is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional therapy, counseling, or medical advice.Importa...
The Hypnosis Edge: Transforming from the Inside Out with Christina Hokonen (Certified Consulting Hypnotist)
Dive into the fascinating world of hypnosis with certified consulting hypnotist Christina Honkonen, who shares her remarkable journey from marketing executive to mind-body practitioner. After discovering hypnotherapy as an alternative t...
Letting Go of Anxiety and Regret: a Meditation
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this meditation tutorial is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional therapy, counseling, or medical advice.Importa...
Pararescue and Purpose - Navigating Life's Transitions with Joe Barnard
In this episode of Cognitive Fitness Coach, host Coach Chris sits down with Joe Barnard, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with 33 years of service as a pararescue jumper (PJ), and Combat Rescue Officer (CRO). Joe shares his jo...