Kelsey HigginsonSports Nutrition Coach and Founder at Clutch Day Coaching

Athletes that feel burnt out watch this

2 Jul 2025 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:09

In this single‑speaker YouTube talk, the presenter frames the central nervous system (CNS) as the body’s "command center" that coordinates every movement, reaction, and mental focus for athletes. Over‑use of the CNS—through constant training, practice, school, and digital distraction—can lead to a state of burnout, described as the commander being "fried." The speaker lists observable symptoms of CNS burnout: brain fog, reduced concentration, lower strength, stalled personal records, plateaus, and loss of motivation. To prevent or recover from this condition, the presenter recommends two concrete actions: (1) eliminate excessive phone scrolling to give the brain a break, and (2) ensure 8–9 hours of sleep each night, which supports both muscular recovery and CNS restoration. The overall message is that proper CNS rest is essential for sustained athletic performance.

Chapters

Athletes that are burning out are not getting command center rest. The central nervous system is the commander of our body. It's the thing giving our body orders, and we cannot move or do anything without the commander. When it's time to throw, it's telling us, "Cock the shoulder back, be ready to release with your wrist." When you need to run, it's telling you, "Quads do this, glutes do that, ankles do this." It's in charge of all muscle movement, all reaction time, all explosiveness, all decision-making, all concentration, all clutch moments, okay? As athletes, You are using Mr. Commander every day, all day, when you're training, when you're practicing, when you're at school. If you work it too much, it's going to get burned out and fried. Having your commander be fried looks like brain fog, not being able to concentrate when you're at practice, lower strength in the gym, and you're not hitting PRs and you're hitting plateaus. It looks like no motivation to work out. When you see athletes in a complete slug is typically when their commander is fried and needs rest. So in order to avoid getting fried, you need to make sure to give it rest. And the best possible way to do that is get off your phone, stop scrolling all the time, and get at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep every single night. It's not only going to help your muscles, but it's also going to give your brain a break and keep yourself from getting fried.