How neuroscience can supercharge leadership…and your life
What if leadership wasn’t just about skill, or experience, but about your brain?
In this deeply insightful episode of the mentl space, Scott Armstrong sits down with Jason Leavy, founder of Prime Performance Labs and a judge for ‘the mentl awards 2025’, and cognitive neuroscientist Samira Cutts, to explore how brain science, neuroplasticity, and emotional intelligence are transforming leadership in the modern workplace.
We talk burnout, hustle culture, emotional regulation, sleep, purpose, and even why your leg strength could determine your brain health. And Scott opens up on-air about his own personal trauma and transformation – and how that’s shaped his purpose and drive today.
🎧 Whether you’re a CEO, an entrepreneur, or just someone who wants to live and lead better, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed tools to help you become the best version of yourself.
🏆 Learn more about ‘the mentl awards 2025’ and enter today – visit mentlawards.com
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: What is Mental Wealth?
01:01 – What is Prime Performance Labs?
01:49 – Neuroscience in leadership: what’s new?
03:12 – Explaining brain function for better leadership
04:26 – Can bad leaders become better?
05:14 – Rewiring the brain: The growth mindset
06:39 – Jason’s personal leadership journey
09:40 – What does a cognitive neuroscientist do?
11:48 – Brain connectivity and executive function
13:40 – Fixing imbalances with neurotechnology
15:15 – Aging, neuroplasticity & leg strength
17:12 – Why we need an integrated approach
18:51 – Modern workspaces and immobility
20:48 – Hustle culture vs. performance science
23:04 – Chronic stress, inflammation & health risks
27:54 – Why leaders are ignoring mental health data
29:23 – Switching off: the power of down-regulation
31:05 – Stigma: Mental health ≠ weakness
32:02 – The ROI of mental performance
34:34 – What does prime performance mean?
35:30 – Scott’s own health assessment begins
38:40 – Why poor sleep is ruining your brain
41:19 – Nutrition & alcohol’s cognitive impact
43:09 – Stress, trauma & the power of awareness
47:13 – Scott’s story: purpose and healing
50:05 – Purpose as a performance driver
53:30 – Science of purpose and occupational therapy
55:39 – Purpose with a small “p”
56:26 – Sustainable transformation, not quick fixes
57:18 – Social media myths & fitness pressure
58:41 – Building inclusive, authentic health habits
59:44 – Three simple brain-body performance tips
1:01:56 – Final thought: Treat emotions as data
1:03:52 – One more thing… Embrace adversity
1:04:47 – Wrap-up & thank you
