Feeling productive but still wiped out? This episode connects emotional intelligence to your stress response through HRV (heart rate variability), so you can build real capacity instead of white-knuckling your way through burnout.

Matt Bennett—author, trauma-informed care leader, and co-founder/CEO of Optimal HRV—breaks down HRV in plain English: what it measures, why flexibility matters, and how your nervous system handles and recovers from stress over time. We also talk about midlife identity shifts, post-traumatic growth, and the paradox of feeling more alive while still asking, “Who am I becoming?”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- HRV explained simply (and why it’s a powerful resiliency metric)

- The difference between pushing through vs. building capacity with small habits

- How to approach stress as a “positive challenge” without tipping into overwhelm

- Practical nervous-system supports: breathwork, sleep consistency, habit stacking

- What it looks like to sit with uncertainty and transitions without spiraling

If this resonated, follow the show and share it with someone who’s been running on fumes.

Get Connected & Support the Show:

- Listen to the companion podcast: It's Both- Guided Meditations for Anxiety, Emotional Regulation, & Real Life Transitions

- Get connected with Matt Bennett

- Learn more about Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts

- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation

Stress, HRV, and Emotional Intelligence ft. Matt Bennett