Peak Performance & State Regulation Questionnaire
“Breath control is one of the fastest and most effective ways to shift autonomic states,
enabling rapid transitions between focus, calm, and recovery.”
- Dr Andrew Huberman, Neuroscientist - Stanford University
enabling rapid transitions between focus, calm, and recovery.”
- Dr Andrew Huberman, Neuroscientist - Stanford University
Peak Performance is all about State Regulation.
This questionnaire is designed for those interested in a general level of peak performance optimisation. For specialised enquiries, click here for musicians or executives.
Section 1: Understanding Your Performance States
1. How would you describe your typical mental and physical state before a high-stakes situation (e.g., interview, presentation, negotiation, surgery, trial)?
- Energized and sharp
- Focused but slightly anxious
- Overwhelmed or stressed
- Lethargic or unmotivated
2. Do you notice fluctuations in your focus, confidence, or energy throughout your workday?
- Rarely – I’m consistently steady
- Sometimes – I have strong and weak periods
- Frequently – My energy and focus are unpredictable
3. During high-pressure moments, which of the following do you experience? (Check all that apply)
- Racing thoughts or overanalyzing
- Feeling detached or "on autopilot"
- Physical tension (e.g., tight shoulders, clenched jaw)
- Shallow or rapid breathing
- Difficulty staying fully present
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 (days/weeks)
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
- Physical warm-up or stretching
- Visualization or mental rehearsal
- Caffeine or stimulants
- Nothing specific – I just push through
6. How do you handle moments of high stress or pressure in the middle of a critical task?
- I have a structured routine to stay focused
- I use quick mental resets or breath control
- I try to power through but sometimes feel overwhelmed
- I tend to react emotionally or physically (tension, frustration, fatigue)
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, social media, alcohol, etc.) to relax
- I struggle to switch off and often take 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 intense work?
- 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 performance state, what would it be?
- Managing pre-performance anxiety
- Sustaining deep focus for longer periods
- Staying composed under pressure
- Recovering faster from stress and exertion
10. Would you be interested in a tailored breathwork strategy to optimise your performance and recovery?
- Yes, I want to learn how breathwork can enhance my work
- Maybe, I’d like to understand more before committing
- No, I don’t see breathwork as relevant to my performance
Next Steps
Based on your responses, I can create a customised breathwork protocol to help you:
✔ Enter high-performance states with precision
✔ Maintain clarity and control under pressure
✔ Recover faster, preventing burnout and fatigue
Would you like to schedule a 15-minute consultation to explore how breathwork could support your goals?
This questionnaire is designed for those interested in a general level of peak performance optimisation. For specialised enquiries, click here for musicians or executives.
Section 1: Understanding Your Performance States
1. How would you describe your typical mental and physical state before a high-stakes situation (e.g., interview, presentation, negotiation, surgery, trial)?
- Energized and sharp
- Focused but slightly anxious
- Overwhelmed or stressed
- Lethargic or unmotivated
2. Do you notice fluctuations in your focus, confidence, or energy throughout your workday?
- Rarely – I’m consistently steady
- Sometimes – I have strong and weak periods
- Frequently – My energy and focus are unpredictable
3. During high-pressure moments, which of the following do you experience? (Check all that apply)
- Racing thoughts or overanalyzing
- Feeling detached or "on autopilot"
- Physical tension (e.g., tight shoulders, clenched jaw)
- Shallow or rapid breathing
- Difficulty staying fully present
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 (days/weeks)
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
- Physical warm-up or stretching
- Visualization or mental rehearsal
- Caffeine or stimulants
- Nothing specific – I just push through
6. How do you handle moments of high stress or pressure in the middle of a critical task?
- I have a structured routine to stay focused
- I use quick mental resets or breath control
- I try to power through but sometimes feel overwhelmed
- I tend to react emotionally or physically (tension, frustration, fatigue)
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, social media, alcohol, etc.) to relax
- I struggle to switch off and often take 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 intense work?
- 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 performance state, what would it be?
- Managing pre-performance anxiety
- Sustaining deep focus for longer periods
- Staying composed under pressure
- Recovering faster from stress and exertion
10. Would you be interested in a tailored breathwork strategy to optimise your performance and recovery?
- Yes, I want to learn how breathwork can enhance my work
- Maybe, I’d like to understand more before committing
- No, I don’t see breathwork as relevant to my performance
Next Steps
Based on your responses, I can create a customised breathwork protocol to help you:
✔ Enter high-performance states with precision
✔ Maintain clarity and control under pressure
✔ Recover faster, preventing burnout and fatigue
Would you like to schedule a 15-minute consultation to explore how breathwork could support your goals?
© 2025 JD Hixson