Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, community, and progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the sports industry, this podcast isn’t about preaching or claiming to have all the answers. Instead, it’s a platform for honest, thought-provoking conversations exploring how to create positive, actionable change in and through sports.
Born from a passion for progress, Pre-Zero Sports Talk explores the pressing topics shaping our world today—leadership, innovation, community impact, performance and well-being, regenerative agriculture, governance, and more. Each episode goes beyond the surface, engaging with trailblazers, changemakers, and thought leaders to uncover solutions and inspire new perspectives.
This is a space for real conversations with real people about real issues—conversations that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark action. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, industry leader, or someone seeking to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you.
Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, entertains, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in building a cleaner, safer, and more connected world—one episode at a time.
Pre-Zero Sports Talk
B.E.T. On It: Coaching Gen Z Athletes with David Durand
Episode #51 — Winning with Your Nervous System: Insights from David Durand
In this Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast episode, host Sid Bensalah speaks with David Durand, sports performance and psychology coach, founder of Real Development LLC, and author of B.E.T. On It. David breaks down his B.E.T. Method (Breath, Eyes, Touch)—a simple yet powerful framework for regulating the nervous system to improve athletic performance and overall well-being.
They explore how Gen Z athletes are uniquely impacted by stress, social media, and identity pressures and how small, mindful techniques can restore balance, focus, and confidence—both on and off the field.
Timestamps & Key Topics:
- 00:00 – Meet David Durand & the B.E.T. framework
- 02:00 – What nervous system regulation really means
- 04:00 – Gen Z: Living in fight-or-flight mode
- 07:05 – Social media’s toll on young athletes
- 11:11 – Understanding stress, pressure & internal language
- 16:30 – Supporting athletes through mindset & self-talk
- 33:57 – Why PE matters more than ever
- 43:40 – Overprotection, screen time & social withdrawal
- 45:44 – Real experiences vs. digital lives
- 48:14 – Mental health in sports: Still misunderstood
- 49:00 – Burnout in athletes and how to spot it
- 56:14 – The role of parents in athletic development
- 59:06 – Enjoyment vs. pressure in youth sports
- 01:02:00 – Building resilience through family support
- 01:03:25 – Lightning Round: Personal insights from David
- 01:16:00 – Final thoughts & episode wrap-up
🔥 Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode delivers practical tools and a fresh perspective on performance, regulation, and connection.
🔗 Learn more at realdevelopment.org
📕 David's Book: B.E.T. On It
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