Sleep used to be an afterthought for me—back in the early spectup days when everything felt urgent and adrenaline was the main fuel. That worked until it didn't. Now, I treat rest like strategy: planned, protected, and necessary. The night before a big client pitch or keynote, I do a full mental shutdown by 9 PM. No Slack, no emails, no "quick" reviews. Instead, I'll cook something slow and simple, maybe pour a glass of wine, and just let the pace drop. Strangely enough, that's when the best ideas come—when I'm not chasing them. Before stepping on stage or into a high-stakes room, I always carve out ten minutes to be still. Not meditation, just silence—letting everything settle. It helps me walk in grounded, not wired. Delivering my best isn't about hyping myself up; it's about being fully present. That's when people feel your conviction.
Before any corporate performance, talk, or event, I anchor myself through qigong, a moving meditation that helps me clear mental clutter and reconnect to my body. It's more than a warm-up—it's a way to get out of my head and into my breath, my purpose, and the energy I want to offer the room. My work centers around trauma-informed storytelling, so I know how important nervous system regulation is, not just for me, but for those I'm about to hold space for. Qigong helps me stay grounded, open-hearted, and present. It reminds me I don't have to perform in the traditional sense. I just need to show up as myself, with intention and truth. That's when I'm at my best: when I'm not trying to impress, but to connect. A calm body and a clear mind allow me to listen more deeply, respond with care, and leave people feeling not just informed, but seen.
I treat pre-performance rest the same way our clinics handle medication adherence: precision matters more than volume. The night before a big presentation I block a strict eight-hour "dispensing window," switching off screens an hour early so my circadian rhythm gets the clear signal—much like our automated cabinets lock in the right NDC before a patient leaves the exam room. That downtime lets cortisol reset, and I pair it with a low-dose melatonin protocol we recommend for post-surgery patients to avoid groggy mornings. The result? I wake at 5 a.m. for a quick light-therapy session that mimics sunrise and primes cognitive endurance, mirroring how onsite medication access cuts the lag between diagnosis and first dose. Point-of-care dispensing runs on timely, accurate delivery; apply that same discipline to sleep hygiene and you'll hit the stage with shorter mental wait times, tighter control over energy, and a performance that's as seamless as an EHR-integrated fill.
As a career coach, one thing I always emphasize with my clients—and practice myself—is the importance of energetic preparation before a corporate performance. It's not just about rehearsing content or perfecting delivery; it's about aligning your internal state so you can show up as your most powerful, authentic self. Before any major presentation or professional engagement, I take time to ground my energy through breathwork and a brief self-hypnosis or mindfulness practice. I help my clients do the same. This allows us to shift out of anxiety and into presence—where clarity, confidence, and intuition naturally arise. When you're aligned with your purpose and your nervous system feels supported, you don't just perform—you connect. That's when your message truly lands.
Before any corporate performance, I always block out 30 minutes alone with no emails and no prep. I'll take a walk, stretch, or do deep breathing in my office to reset my nervous system. This helps me shift from "doing" to "showing up," which keeps me calm and limits any feelings of anxiety that can creep into my mind during events. What really makes the difference, though, is good sleep the night before. I treat the night before a major meeting or presentation like game day: no screens late, no alcohol, and lights out as early as possible. Being well-rested makes me feel sharper, more confident, and better at reading the room, which all matters much more than having every detail absolutely perfect in a pitch or presentation.