In this interview, host Bas Tadros talks with therapist and author Christoffel Sneijders about his "Three-Brain" model, which frames human experience as the interaction of three distinct but interconnected systems: the head (cognitive), the heart (emotional), and the gut (survival/instinct). Sneijders explains how modern medicine and psychology have become fragmented, focusing on isolated parts of the body, which leads to people feeling "stuck" in one domain. He outlines scientific evidence that the gut contains a dense network of neurons and a massive microbiome that communicates with the brain and is linked to conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The gut brain’s primary role is survival, governing fight‑or‑flight, immobilization, hunger, thirst, and reproductive drives. Sneijders argues that reframing masculine/feminine energy in terms of gut‑heart‑brain balances reduces gender stereotypes and improves communication in relationships and workplaces. He also suggests that teaching this model in schools could break down stereotypical gender roles. Finally, he directs listeners to his PEEL Academy (Personal Excellence and Leadership Academy) for further resources.
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Cool. Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Christoffel Sneijders, and we're talking about the 3 brains. There's a science behind this, and he is currently writing a book about the heart and gut brain connection within the body. Why don't we know these things at school? Because I think this lead-in, in terms of the information that you're sharing in your book, is not only good for relationships, but it's really good for our communication.
In my research, I became aware 100 years ago we almost disconnected science. We have psychology, psychiatry, that's only talking about the head. We have 80 specialties about the body if you go to medical science. And actually, we were split up in parts. When you go to a physiotherapist, psychologist, or whatever, they only look at one part of, of you. Almost nobody looks at the holistic part anymore. And I became aware that if you don't look holistically, People get stuck in issues. That's how I came to it as a therapist, that people kept stuck. And from there I started thinking, if people are stuck, say, in their head, or people are stuck in their heart, or people are stuck in their gut, how does it work? Then I became aware that actually there are actually brains, 100,000 brain cells, 500 million brain cells like a cat brain, interconnected with nerve systems and other kinds of communication systems. And I thought, How come nobody ever thought about this? Darwin writes about it 150 years ago and somewhat got dismissed. But when I exercise with people with it, on students, clients, and whatever, I came aware it works. And from there I researched and researched and came where actually it's true.
People are becoming more and more aware that there's more neuron connections and receptors in our, in our Gut brain, as you call it, than there is in our head. So how come, you know, people don't know that and understand that? And how do your insights in your book sort of point to this direction?
Now, why we don't know? Because actually, when you go to a special medical, they look at the gut intestines and they look at the physiology, what's happening there, digestion or those kind of things. And we have 1.5 kilos bacteria there. Without that, we would not survive one day. Because they are responsible for digestion and they communicate with us. They now make links as Alzheimer's. When you have Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, do you know you have also gut issues?
Lead to that potential?
Yeah, because— and they have the same issues there as in your brain. So it has connections now based on that, that the brain is here. This is actually the first brain and the brain that is in charge.
So it's a survival instinct that kicks in from here and actually shuts down the overthinking?
Absolutely, it shuts down. Because this part actually has one responsibility: survive. That means, now, fight and flight, immobilize, that means faint and fall down, or of course when you're hungry or thirsty, and the last one is of course reproduction. Do you like to have a lot of feminine energy in you, Bas?
Well, I think I've been said to have had feminine energy, right? But that's probably because I've grown up with 3 younger sisters, for example. But I don't think most men would be comfortable to saying or admitting that they have a feminine energy.
But just imagine that you would say to those guys, hey, would you like to have a little bit more heart energy?
That makes a lot more sense for me. Yeah, I could be a lot more heart.
A little bit more compassion, they would say yes. And just imagine the flip side. If you say to a woman, would you like to have a lot of manly masculine energy? Now most girls would say no.
Frown.
Frown. No, no, please not. But if you say, would you like to have a little bit more survival me instinct, take care a little bit better of yourself? All the girls will say yes, please. And so I also advocate let's call that masculine feminine throw it away and call it gut heart brain energy. So we're going to have much more gender equality on the workspace and in normal life.
Probably less confusion too because sometimes if if women have been sold the idea of having more masculine energy, but they still want the man to be the man rescuer.
No, it also helps in that part and. When you look at schools, then we're all put in stereotype roles. Girls should do this, boys should do that. If you're now in Europe where I've been born, or in Australia, or whatever. So, but the moment you say, you know, we educate you on gut, heart, and brain level, you can become much more complete.
How can people get in touch with you or connect with you, Chris?
That's PEEL Academy, Personal Excellence and Leadership Academy. That's my business website, or Facebook, Christoffel Sneijders, and you can find me and find all the things there.
Perfect. Thank you so much for your time. I'm Bas Tadros for Undercurrent.
