The Decision Lab Podcast

Our mission is to help health-conscious consumers find innovative, science-backed wellness products by cutting through hype, misinformation, and market noise.

Ep. 18: Is Mental Fatigue Real? w/ Ben Wisbey

E18 • Mar 7, 2025 • 68 mins

In Today’s Episode: Is Mental Fatigue Real with Ben Wisbey Join us as we talk with Ben Wisbey, performance scientist and founder of Pylot, who shares his insights on mental fatigue, productivity, and the science of optimizing cognitive performance. Ben has spent two decades working with elite athletes and has now turned his expertise toward helping professionals and high-achievers manage their mental energy more effectively. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -Mental fatigue is real—and tracking it can improve focus and performance. -The biggest misconception about productivity is the idea that we should constantly push harder. -Brainwave technology and heart rate variability can reveal when we’re in an optimal flow state. Questions We Answer in This Episode: -What is mental fatigue, and how does it impact performance? -How can we track and manage our cognitive energy throughout the day? -What role does wearable technology play in boosting productivity?

Key Points

Understanding and managing mental energy throughout the day is crucial for optimizing productivity and achieving long-term goals.
The combination of EEG and heart rate variability data can provide real-time insights into mental fatigue and flow states, helping users to better plan their work and rest periods.
Integrating multiple sources of health data, such as sleep patterns and physical activity, can offer a more comprehensive understanding of one's mental performance and overall well-being.

Speakers

Cody Isabel

Host • 15%

Ben Wisbey

Guest • 81%

Chloe Deutscher

Host • 4%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction of Ben Wisbey and his career in performance science
4:30	Ben Wisbey’s fitness routine and mental performance insights
6:43	Working with elite athletes and becoming a performance scientist
10:17	Productivity hacks and performance misconceptions
13:40	Personal low performance experiences and handling imposter syndrome
17:46	The role of rest, daily planning, and Pilot’s origins
23:23	Understanding EEG, HRV, and user feedback on Pilot
27:55	Mental fatigue, flow states, and optimal product usage
35:52	Pilot's differentiation in the brain monitoring market
38:03	Pilot’s ideal customer, mission, and research development
44:03	Real-world testing and validating long-term performance
46:42	Research controls and integration with health data platforms
48:37	Addressing skepticism and customer engagement
51:54	Managing customer requests and product claims
56:02	Pilot's future vision and industry innovation
59:21	Long-term goals for product integration and standardization
1:03:08	Signature questions, coolest products, and final comments
1:07:01	Mental challenges and achieving life goals
1:08:00	Closing statements and call to action

Transcript

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