Episode #51 — Winning with Your Nervous System: Insights from David Durand
In this Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah speaks with David Durand, sports performance and psychology coach, founder of Real Development LLC, and author of B.E.T. On It. David breaks down his B.E.T. Method (Breath, Eyes, Touch)—a simple yet powerful framework for regulating the nervous system to improve athletic performance and overall well-being.
They explore how Gen Z athletes are uniquely impacted by stress, social media, and identity pressures and how small, mindful techniques can restore balance, focus, and confidence—both on and off the field.
Timestamps & Key Topics:
- 00:00 – Meet David Durand & the B.E.T. framework
- 02:00 – What nervous system regulation really means
- 04:00 – Gen Z: Living in fight-or-flight mode
- 07:05 – Social media’s toll on young athletes
- 11:11 – Understanding stress, pressure & internal language
- 16:30 – Supporting athletes through mindset & self-talk
- 33:57 – Why PE matters more than ever
- 43:40 – Overprotection, screen time & social withdrawal
- 45:44 – Real experiences vs. digital lives
- 48:14 – Mental health in sports: Still misunderstood
- 49:00 – Burnout in athletes and how to spot it
- 56:14 – The role of parents in athletic development
- 59:06 – Enjoyment vs. pressure in youth sports
- 01:02:00 – Building resilience through family support
- 01:03:25 – Lightning Round: Personal insights from David
- 01:16:00 – Final thoughts & episode wrap-up
🔥 Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode delivers practical tools and a fresh perspective on performance, regulation, and connection.
🔗 Learn more at realdevelopment.org
📕 David's Book: B.E.T. On It
☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk!
Join Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real sports, leadership, and progress conversations. Follow us, share your thoughts, and be part of the movement:
📲 Follow & Engage with Us:
🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST
🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk
🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Watch Full Episodes
🔹 LinkedIn → Join the Conversation
🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk
🔹 Substack → Read & Subscribe to Exclusive Content
Your Voice Matters!
Got feedback, suggestions, or a topic you'd love us to cover? We want to hear from you!
Fuel Our Mission → Help us continue bringing honest conversations and impactful storytelling. Support the podcast here.
Let’s reshape the conversation and drive real change in sports. Every voice counts—what’s your take?
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
40s and Free Agents: NFL Draft Season
Daniel Jeremiah of Move the Sticks and Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Daily join forces to break down every team's needs this offseason.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.