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Executive Peak Performance & State Regulation Questionnaire

Section 1: Understanding Your Performance States
1. How would you describe your typical mental and physical state before high-stakes situations (e.g., board meetings, negotiations, public speaking, major decisions)?  
   - Clear, focused, and in control  
   - Slightly anxious but functional  
   - Stressed or distracted, making it hard to think clearly  
   - Physically tense or overwhelmed  

2. Do you notice fluctuations in your focus, confidence, or energy levels throughout your workday?  
   - Rarely – I stay consistently sharp  
   - Sometimes – I have strong and weak periods  
   - Frequently – My energy and focus feel unpredictable  

3. During high-pressure moments, which of the following do you experience? (Check all that apply)  
   - Mental fog (difficulty thinking clearly, slowed decision-making)  
   - Racing thoughts (overanalysing, self-doubt, anticipating failure)  
   - Physical tension (tight shoulders, jaw clenching, stomach discomfort)  
   - Shallow or erratic breathing  
   - Struggling to stay present (distracted, reactive instead of strategic)  

4. After intense work periods, how long does it take for you to mentally and physically recover?  
   - I bounce back quickly and feel refreshed  
   - I need some downtime but recover by the next day  
   - I feel drained for extended periods and struggle to reset  

Section 2: Your Current Strategies for State Regulation  
5. What methods do you currently use to prepare for high-stakes situations? (Check all that apply)  
   - Deep breathing or meditation  
   - Visualization or mental rehearsal  
   - Physical movement (exercise, stretching)  
   - Caffeine, stimulants, or energy boosters  
   - Nothing specific – I just push through  

6. How do you handle moments of high stress or pressure in real time?  
   - I have a structured approach to stay focused  
   - I use quick mental or breathing resets  
   - I try to power through, but stress often builds up  
   - I feel reactive and struggle to maintain control  

7. At the end of a demanding workday, how do you downshift into recovery mode?  
   - I have a structured wind-down routine (exercise, mindfulness, breathwork, etc.)  
   - I use distractions (TV, alcohol, social media) to relax  
   - I struggle to switch off and often bring stress home  

Section 3: Exploring New Approaches to Peak Performance  
8. Have you ever used breathwork techniques to enhance focus, manage stress, or recover from mental fatigue?  
   - Yes, regularly  
   - Yes, but only occasionally  
   - No, but I’m curious  
   - No, I don’t think breathwork would help me  

9. If you could improve one aspect of your professional performance, what would it be?  
   - Managing pre-meeting or pre-presentation anxiety  
   - Sustaining deep focus and mental clarity throughout the day  
   - Remaining calm and composed under pressure  
   - Recovering faster to prevent burnout and maintain long-term resilience  

10. Would you be interested in a tailored breathwork strategy to optimise your performance, clarity, and stress resilience?
   - Yes, I want to learn how breathwork can enhance my leadership  
   - Maybe, I’d like to understand more before committing  
   - No, I don’t see breathwork as relevant to executive performance  

Next Steps  
Based on your responses, I can create a customised breathwork protocol to help you:  
✔ Improve decision-making clarity in high-stakes situations  
✔ Enhance focus and mental endurance throughout the workday  
✔ Stay calm and composed under pressure 
✔ Recover faster, preventing burnout and fatigue  

Would you like to schedule a 15-minute consultation to explore how breathwork could support your executive performance? 
  • Ultra Philosophy
  • Ultra Coaching
  • XPT Performance Breathing
  • JD Hixson
  • contact