In this episode of the Index AI Podcast, host Hannah Zhao unpacks one of the most frustrating challenges in performance: why we often know what to do—but still can’t do it.
Drawing from cutting-edge neuroscience, this episode explores the cognitive divide between declarative knowledge (facts, strategies, concepts) and procedural execution (skills, habits, intuition). Whether you’re a tennis coach, founder, developer, or high-performing student, understanding the knowing-doing gap can rewire how you train, perform, and lead.
We explore:
-The brain’s separation of declarative and procedural memory
-Why overthinking, fear, and stress sabotage performance
-The science of muscle memory, neuroplasticity, and habit loops
-Practical tools to bridge the gap: contextual practice, pressure training, interleaving, feedback systems, and sleep timing
From high-stakes sports to startup decision-making, this episode reveals why execution isn’t just about knowing more—it’s about training smarter.
Visit Index AI at theindexai.com and learn more about Hannah Zhao’s work at hannahzhao.com
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🎧 Tune in to discover how neuroscience can help you close the gap between what you know… and what you do.