The Fighting Brain

Why can an old injury suddenly become painful again, even when it seems to have healed?In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of pain, how the brain processes sensory information, and why previous experiences, expectations, and uncertainty can influence pain perception and movement.  Want to learn more about neuro-centered training?Join my online Neuro Seminar to explore the principles behind this approach and discover how to apply them in your work and everyday life. Find all details and register here: https://www.laraschwab.com/neuro-centered-training---online-seminar/

How does your brain decide where to look, what to pay attention to, and how to orient your body toward something important?In this episode, we explore the superior colliculi and their role in visual orienting, eye movements, attention, and the coordination of sensory information with action. We look at how these midbrain structures contribute to the way we interact with our environment and why their function matters for human performance, particularly in combat sports. Want to learn more about neuro-centered training?Join my online Neuro Seminar to explore the principles behind this approach and learn how to apply them in your work and everyday life. Find all details and register here: https://www.laraschwab.com/neuro-centered-training---online-seminar/

What happens when something unexpected changes the way you see, move or respond during a fight?In combat sports, performance isn't just about having a plan. It's also about how you adapt when things don't go as expected. An eye injury, a sudden change in visual input or another unexpected challenge can force your brain to process information differently and adjust your responses under pressure. Want to learn more about neuro-centered training? My online seminar introduces you to the approach and provides practical strategies you can start applying in everyday life and your own work. Learn more and book your place here: https://www.laraschwab.com/neuro-centered-training---online-seminar/

Have you ever avoided a movement because you were injured doing it before — or because you simply don't fully trust it anymore?In this episode, we explore what happens when the brain starts associating a movement with pain, instability or danger. Why do we sometimes become stiff, hesitant or protective, even when an injury has already healed?I'll talk about the connection between previous experiences, perception, movement and the brain's predictions — and why simply forcing yourself through a movement isn't always the best solution.

Strength, speed, conditioning and technique are essential for every fighter. But they are only part of the performance equation.In this episode, we take a closer look at the system behind movement — the brain and nervous system. We explore why perception, attention, decision-making and motor control can influence how effectively a fighter accesses their physical and technical abilities, especially when conditions become unpredictable, demanding and stressful.

Vision is one of the most important systems behind combat performance — but seeing clearly is only part of the equation.In this episode, we explore how fighters use visual information to perceive distance, detect movement, manage peripheral information, shift attention and anticipate what happens next. We’ll look at why visual performance goes far beyond eyesight, and why experienced fighters often don’t simply react faster — they recognize relevant information earlier.

A concussion doesn’t always end when the knockout is over.What happens when dizziness, headaches, visual problems, or reduced exercise tolerance continue weeks after a concussion?In this episode, we take a closer look at post-concussion rehabilitation and the role of the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems.

What happens when being a fighter becomes more than a sport – when it becomes part of your identity? In this episode, I explore how fighter identity can influence perception, behavior, pressure, injuries and setbacks, and what the nervous system has to do with it. Because a fighter is more than their performance. 

What happens when your opponent suddenly pulls, pushes, or disrupts your balance?In this episode, we explore reflexive stability — the nervous system’s ability to rapidly respond to unexpected changes and keep the body organized. Why is this so important in combat sports? Because real fights are unpredictable. You need to stabilize, adapt, and move without having to consciously control every part of your body.A closer look at the connection between sensory information, automatic postural responses, adaptability, and performance under pressure. More Information and Website: https://www.laraschwab.com/

A hand injury doesn‘t just affect the tissue - it can also change how the brain senses, control and uses the hand. In this episode, wie explore the neuroscience behind hand injuries and why sensory input, motor control and neuroplasticity matter when fighters return to training and competition.  For more information about my work in brain-based performance training for combat sports, visit my website : www.laraschwab.com

What if your vision is working harder than it should - without you even noticing? In this episode of The Fighting Brain, we explore phorias, hidden eye misalignments that can influence how the brain processes visual information. We discuss why binocular vision, eye coordination, and the connection between the eyes and the nervous system matter for combat athletes, especially when it comes to reaction speed, balance, decision-making, and performance under pressure. Understanding the visual system is another important step toward optimizing performance and supporting the long-term health of fighters. Official Website: https://www.laraschwab.com/ E-Mail Contact: schwablara@icloud.com Website Contact: https://www.laraschwab.com/english/contact/

Perception & Focus – Your Body Is Fighting. But Is Your Brain Fully Present?Why do you lose focus even when your body feels ready? In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of attention in combat sports. Learn how your brain filters sensory information, why stress changes your perception, and how vision and the nervous system influence decision-making under pressure. Discover why better performance starts with better perception and why brain-based training is a powerful complement to traditional training. Website: https://www.laraschwab.com/ Imprint: https://www.laraschwab.com/imprint/ Contact: https://www.laraschwab.com/english/contact/

 If you want to become a better fighter, you don’t just train your body, you train your perception. In this first episode, we explore how vision truly shapes performance in combat sports - far beyond simply “seeing.” Your visual system is one of the most important sources of information for your brain, directly influencing reaction time, decision-making, balance, timing, and awareness. We break down how elite fighters don’t just react faster, but process visual information more efficiently and predictively. You’ll learn how visual input is processed in the brain, why perception always comes before movement, and how this directly impacts every action in a fight. Official Website: https://www.laraschwab.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laraschwab.brainathletics/

In this first episode of The Fighting Brain, we break down the core idea behind this podcast: how performance in combat sports is actually created inside the brain. Fighting is not random. It is not just physical skill or conditioning. Every reaction, every decision, and every movement starts with a simple internal process: input, interpretation, and output.In this episode, I introduce this system and explain how the brain filters information, assigns meaning under pressure, and produces action in real time. Understanding this framework is the foundation for everything we will explore in future episodes. This podcast is based on the same core concepts as my German podcast Nervenstark, which has already built a strong audience in the field of performance and mindset training. For more information, additional content, and coaching resources, visit: https://www.laraschwab.com/ Welcome to The Fighting Brain.