The Science of Brain Fatigue: How to Balance Ambition, Recovery, and Life Transitions with Scott Frey & Brent Bookwalter

Why do we sometimes feel mentally exhausted even when our bodies are rested? I’m your host Sonya Looney, and in this episode of Grow the Good , I’m joined by neuroscientist Dr. Scott Frey and former professional cyclist Brent Bookwalter to dig into the science of central (brain) fatigue, life transitions, and how to balance performance with well-being. Through stories from elite sport, neuroscience, and personal growth, Scott, Brent, and I explore how understanding brain fatigue can help us better navigate change, maintain motivation, and thrive through life’s transitions. I’ve been through this. You’ll hear about when I realized that my high need for mental stimulation was impacting my racing performance, and how learning about mental fatigue helped me reframe training and recovery in both sport and life. Whether you’re an athlete, professional, or parent trying to “do it all,” this conversation will help you understand your brain’s limits and unlock tools to work with your mind, not against it. Top 5 Takeaways: What is Central Fatigue? Mental Energy is Finite Transitions Require Compassion Rest is a Skill Self-Awareness Fuels Growth -------------- The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

You can listen to The Science of Brain Fatigue: How to Balance Ambition, Recovery, and Life Transitions with Scott Frey & Brent Bookwalter online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

The Science of Brain Fatigue: How to Balance Ambition, Recovery, and Life Transitions with Scott Frey & Brent Bookwalter is an episode from The Sonya Looney Show by Sonya Looney.

This episode is 64:59 long.

This episode was published on Dec 11, 2025.

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