Show Notes
Can you actually reset your vagus nerve? No. But you can retrain it. Quick hacks change the weather: how you feel in the next ten minutes. Daily practice changes the climate: how your nervous system responds six months from now. In Episode 10 of LVL UP, Lawrence van Lingen explores the vagus nerve, the four states of the nervous system, and the difference between temporary relaxation and lasting changes in nervous-system regulation. We examine what the vagus nerve actually does, why heart rat...
More from LVL Up Movement
SOUND NOTE: There's an echo for the first 15 minutes, then it cleans up. We apologize for the sound. It was a livestream, so we couldn't fix it in post-production. In 2025, Taylor Knibb wanted Kona so badly she didn't make the finish line. In 2026, she almost let it go. Then it came. Eleven days after winning the IRONMAN World Championship, and within four weeks of winning the 70.3 World Championship, Taylor Knibb sits down with Gwen and Lawrence van Lingen. She has no idea what questions a...
Heel strike gets blamed for a lot. But most conversations about running focus on which part of the foot contacts the ground first, rather than what the heel is actually doing. In Episode 9 of LVL UP, Lawrence van Lingen explores the importance of heel contact in walking, running, posture and hip mechanics. This isn't an argument that everyone should heel strike. It's an exploration of our relationship with the ground, and what happens when we lose the ability to use the heel naturally. We ex...
Hip drop is something many runners notice when they see themselves on video. But does it mean your glutes are weak? And is strengthening them necessarily the solution? In Episode 8 of LVL UP, Lawrence van Lingen takes a deeper look at hip drop in running, what causes it, what the research actually shows and how to approach it without automatically reaching for another strengthening exercise. A little pelvic movement is normal during running. The question is what happens when one side drops ex...
Can you train the talent out of an athlete? In Episode 7 of LVL UP, Lawrence van Lingen examines how well-intentioned training, coaching and recovery practices can sometimes undermine the very talent they're intended to develop. Exceptional athletes don't necessarily respond to the same approaches as everyone else. What makes an athlete successful early in their career may eventually become the thing that limits them. Lawrence explores eight areas where this can happen: fueling and sleep, tra...
Strength training can make you stronger. But does it always make you a better runner? In Episode 6 of LVL UP, Lawrence van Lingen takes a closer look at the role of strength training in running, rehabilitation, walking and healthy aging. Strength is valuable. It can improve physical capacity and contribute to performance. But stronger muscles don't automatically produce better timing, coordination or running mechanics. Lawrence examines the difference between strength and movement skill, why ...