Why do clients know what to do—but still don’t do it? In this episode, Dr. Irena and technologist, coach, and author Anette Lan explore rhythm, presence, and disciplined practice as the real drivers of change. They reveal how sustainable growth comes from repeated experience, not just insight.

In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching, host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices.

“Transformation isn’t a breakthrough—it’s a pattern you practice.”— Anette Lan

Guest Bio:

Anette Lan works at the intersection of leadership, language, and technology, exploring how energy moves through people, teams, and systems and how those subtle dynamics shape performance long before results are visible.

She is the co-founder of Miru Pulse™, a human-centred diagnostic platform focused on the side of leadership most organizations don’t measure. Alongside her work as a tech co-founder, she leads Ensō Mindset, where she developed the Human Impact Kata, a Japanese-inspired leadership practice grounded in repetition, presence, and real-world application.

She is also the author of Ensō, A Tree Still Grows, in which she shares her story as a Canadian-Japanese leader and founder—and the shift that changed how she understands leadership, not as something to chase, but something to grow into. She’s interested in what becomes possible when organizations learn to understand not just what people do at work, but how they are while doing it.

Host Bio:

Dr. Irena O’Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience.

She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit.

Dr. O’Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Dr. Irena O’Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School
Anette’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anette-lan
Anette’s website: https://www.EnsoMindset.com

Credits:

Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien
Producer: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker
Artist: Avocado Junkie
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer: Matthew Wigton
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: In This Light
Artist: Sounds Like Sander
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

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Episode transcript: The Science of Rhythm: A New Way to Think About Growth (Anette Lan) coming soon.