In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I’m diving headfirst into the science of sleep with two heavy hitters—Dr. J Wiles and Dr. Jeff Dermer from Absolute Rest. We cover it all: why sleep is such a big deal from an evolutionary standpoint, how your modern lifestyle is probably trashing it, and what you can actually do to fix it. We dig into behavioral changes, the role of wearables versus legit lab sleep studies, and practical, no-BS strategies to get better shut-eye. Jay Wiles and Jeremy Durmer break down Absolute Rest’s comprehensive approach, examining the psychological, physiological, and environmental factors that influence sleep. Translation: it’s not just “buy a new pillow and call it good.” We also get into the fun stuff like caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol—how they mess with your recovery and performance—and why making small behavioral shifts and value-based choices can keep your sleep dialed in for the long haul. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop treating sleep like an optional side quest and instead make it one of your biggest performance enhancers, this one’s for you. Sponsors: LMNT electrolyte drink mix: https://drinklmnt.com/ Get my free magnesium guide: https://miket.me/mag Available now: Grab a copy of the Triphasic Training II book I co-wrote with Cal Deitz here . Episode Chapters: 06:13 The Importance of Sleep: Evolutionary and Scientific Perspectives 11:40 Sleep Deprivation Studies and Their Implications 16:54 Unihemispheric Sleep: Can Humans Do It? 25:00 Personalized Sleep Needs and Efficiency 36:44 Personalized Sleep Assessment 37:28 Subjective Experience in Sleep Quality 38:20 Comprehensive Sleep Testing 38:58 Autonomic Sleep Testing Explained 39:32 Behavioral and Psychological Factors 41:29 Polysomnography and Its Evolution 47:23 Home Sleep Testing Innovations 48:14 Cardiopulmonary Coupling and Sleep Quality 56:35 Heart Rate Variability and Sleep 01:06:44 Behavior Change and Value Systems 01:13:50 Struggles with Sleep and Coaching Solutions 01:14:27 Blocking Data to Improve Sleep Coaching 01:14:58 Empowering Clients to Interpret Sleep Data 01:15:41 The Importance of Sleep Regularity 01:17:24 Caffeine and Nicotine's Impact on Sleep 01:19:07 Genetics and Supplements in Sleep Health 01:21:39 Behavioral Changes for Better Sleep 01:27:35 Comprehensive Sleep Program Overview 01:41:02 Addressing Sleep Issues in Children 01:45:00 Podcast Conclusion and Resources Flex Diet Podcasts You May Enjoy: Episode 310: Unpacking the Science of Sleep with Dr. Allison Brager: https://miketnelson.com/episode-310-unpacking-the-science-of-sleep-with-dr-allison-brager/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhS0qsF1OHs Episode 283: Unlocking Better Sleep and Stress Reduction with Dr. Dan Cohen of Soltec Health: https://miketnelson.com/episode-283-unlocking-better-sleep-and-stress-reduction-with-dr-dan-cohen-of-soltec-health/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/VInoz9ItGfw Connect with Jay and Jeremy: Absolute Rest: https://www.absoluterest.com/ Get In Touch with Dr Mike: Instagram : Drmiketnelson YouTube : @flexdietcert Email : Miketnelson.com/contact-us
