Hi everyone,

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by the wonderful @AnnMarie McArdle of the newly launched Wave Breathwork Podcast.

In this conversation, we explore my journey from studying lung pathology and sleep disorders as a clinical scientist to developing a framework for breath training that bridges respiratory physiology, behavioural science, and human performance.

We dive into how breathing influences the nervous system, unpack the language around carbon dioxide and “CO₂ tolerance,” and discuss how learning to safely work with air hunger can help update the brain’s perception of threat.

We also explore the powerful relationship between breathing, sleep quality, fear memory, and emotional regulation, and why physiological metrics like HRV always need context to be interpreted properly.

Overall, this episode is a deep dive into how breathing can become a tool for rewiring fear responses, improving sleep, building resilience, and developing a more regulated nervous system.

In this episode we explore:

• My journey from clinical respiratory science to founding the School of Breath Science
• Why physiology always requires context when interpreting data
• Breath mechanics, nasal breathing, and optimising sleep
• Carbon dioxide physiology and the experience of air hunger
• The relationship between CO₂, fear memory, and anxiety loops
• How breath training can update the brain’s perception of threat
• Conscious connected breathwork and altered states
• Breath training for performance, endurance, and recovery
• The future of breathwork in healthcare and practitioner safety

If you’re interested in breathwork, nervous system regulation, sleep optimisation, or the science of resilience, this conversation is for you.

I hope you enjoy the episode and thank you to Ann Marie for the invite to chat.

Martin