The Race Brain: How Life-or-Death Decisions Rewired Her for Success (with Claire Jedrek)

Ever wondered how elite drivers make split-second choices at 300 km/h—and how those same skills can help you lead teams, parent with calm, and avoid decision fatigue? In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Claire Jedrek—Singapore’s first female race car driver, entrepreneur, presenter, coach, and mum—to unpack the science and the soul of high-stakes decision-making.

Claire shares how racing rewired her brain for precision, why “small, graceful moves” beat big emotions, and the playbook she uses off the track to manage cognitive overload: automate the trivial, define roles, delegate smartly, and protect energy like a currency. If you’re navigating fast decisions in business, sport, or family life, this one’s for you.

What you’ll learn

• Decision fatigue is real—and predictable. Reduce it by automating routines, delegating decisions, and removing low-value choices.
  
• Precision beats emotion. The best calls are calculated, data-informed, and repeatable under pressure.
  
• Team dynamics matter. Even “individual” performers win with clear roles, trust, and rapid feedback loops.
  
• Energy is a currency. Protect sleep, nutrition, and recovery to maintain mental clarity and focus.
  
• Parenting = high-stakes leadership. Define responsibilities, set boundaries, and design defaults at home.
  
• Go slower to go faster. Creating space increases cognitive bandwidth and leads to better outcomes.
  
• Feedback without ego. Treat feedback as data—non-personal, actionable, and essential for growth.
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:53 Rewiring the Brain Through Racing

05:52 Team Dynamics in Racing

10:11 Emotional Management and Decision Fatigue

14:09 Translating Racing Skills to Everyday Life

17:57 The Impact of Burnout on Decision Making

22:10 Finding Balance in High-Intensity Lives

25:56 Motherhood and Evolving Decision-Making

30:07 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Growth

33:43 The Mental and Decision Load of Parenting

39:19 Delegation and Trust in Parenting

43:12 Finding Balance and Being Present

49:06 Reflections on Decision Making and Life Lessons

About our guest — Claire Jedrek

Website: https://clairejedrek.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/clairejedrek/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-jedrek-41917332/

X: https://x.com/clairejedrek

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaireJedrek/

Decisions That Count helps you master the science of decision-making to overcome decision fatigue and reach peak performance.

Hosts:

Dr. Shawn Watson – Neuroscientist & Founder Michelle O’Brien – Marketer, Mum, Marathon Runner👇 Let’s Continue the Conversation What resonated most with you? Have you experienced decision fatigue in your role? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know how you manage high-pressure choices.

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