How do you move from paralysis to flow—and why is curiosity often a better antidote than ‘courage’?
With peak performance coach Per Bristow, Demian and Djack explore fear as a protective mechanism, hyperfocus under stress (Special Forces), and the shift from comfort to growth—whether it’s stage fright, blood tests, glass floors, free fall or youth sports.
Result: a practical mental toolkit to stay calm in tough moments, learn faster, and elevate performance—on the field, on stage, and as an entrepreneur. We explore how acceptance and curiosity beat denial and suppression every time.
What you’ll discover
➤ Why “fear = weakness” keeps you stuck—and how falling in love with fear drives growth.
➤ Special Forces tools: shifting from tunnel vision to hyperfocus, debrief & reps until it clicks.
➤ Curiosity as the counterweight: reframing—from Demian’s fear of blood tests to a learning moment.
➤ Kids & performance: independence from approval, calm under pressure, flow in sport.
➤ Entrepreneurship = learning: spotting patterns, stacking skills, trading comfort for progress.
Our NEW book reveals The 1% Operating System – a revolutionary approach to peak physical and mental health.
👉 Sign up here: https://nextlevelhuman.nl/pages/boek-earlybird
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➤ Website – https://nextlevelhuman.nl/
Conversation with: Demian Beenakker, Djack Littel & Per Bristow
Timestamps / Hoofdstukken
00:00 – Intro & contrast therapy: why comfort makes you slow
04:13 – From comfort to challenge: ‘Ignite the Greater You’ & fear as fuel
12:52 – Fear is universal: fall in love with it (instead of denying it)
17:13 – Special Forces approach: from paralysis to hyperfocus and action
25:30 – The nightmare of being unprepared: fear as a signal to plan better
32:40 – Acceptance & reframing: Demian’s blood test case as practice
41:34 – Heights, glass floors & physiology of calm: playing with your nervous system
49:30 – Youth sports & coaching: from approval-dependence to flow
