Guest: Dr. Don Wood
WHY.os: Contribute – Challenge – Better Way
Dr. Don Wood is a neuroscientist, author, speaker, and Founder & CEO of Inspired Performance Institute. His work focuses on how trauma and disturbing events can keep running in the background and shape how someone thinks, feels, and performs.
In this episode, Dr. WHY talks with Don through the lens of Don’s WHY, Contribute. Don’s drive is to help people feel less stuck in their own mind so they can show up for life again. His HOW, Challenge, pushes against the idea that you have to live with intense emotional loops forever. His WHAT, Better Way, is his practical method for helping people reduce the intensity of the memories that keep pulling them back.
You’ll learn:
- Why the mind can treat an old painful memory like it is happening right now.
- A simple way Don describes reducing the “intensity” of a memory without pretending it never happened.
- How Don’s Contribute WHY shows up as a clear goal: help people stop fighting the past so they can live forward.
Listen to this episode if you want a clearer understanding of why grief and trauma can hit so hard, and what it can look like to lower the emotional volume.
Get in touch with Don:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdonwoodphd/
- Instagram: N/A (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDonWoodPhD)
- Website: https://www.gettipp.com/
Watch the Full Episode Here!
00:01 – Why Don’s work matters right now
00:42 – The mind replays a painful moment like it is “now”
01:12 – “An emotion is a call for an action”
01:35 – High definition vs low definition memories
01:57 – How do you actually turn it down?
02:02 – The two-minute recall and process work
02:23 – When the mind stops reacting like it is happening now
02:35 – Moving from “last moments” to the full relationship
03:12 – “There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s just a glitch.”
03:33 – Sadness can stay; the urgent panic can stop
Listen to the Episode Here!
Turn Down the Trauma Loop: How the Mind Replays Pain and How to Change It
Some episodes land different because they start with something real, not theory. Dr. Gary Sanchez opens this one by talking with his wife, Julie, about losing her mother and what it feels like after being there at the end. It is that specific kind of grief where your brain keeps replaying the hardest moment, even when you want it to stop.
That is where Dr. Don Wood steps in. Don is a neuroscientist, author, speaker, and the Founder & CEO of Inspired Performance Institute. His work focuses on how trauma and disturbing events can keep running in the background and shape how someone thinks, feels, and performs.
To make the conversation easier to follow, it helps to know one quick idea from WHY Institute. A person’s WHY is the deeper driver behind what they do. A WHY.os adds HOW they naturally do it and WHAT they tend to bring to others, which is why two people can care about the same goal but go after it in totally different ways.
Don’s WHY.os is Contribute – Challenge – Better Way. Through Contribute, his focus is service: he wants people to suffer less so they can show up for life again. Through Challenge, he pushes back on the idea that intense emotional loops are permanent. Through Better Way, he brings a method and a process, not just motivation.
When the mind treats “then” like “now”
Don explains something that makes a lot of people feel seen immediately. He says the subconscious operates in the present, so when someone replays a memory, part of the mind reacts as if the event is happening again. In Julie’s case, Don points to how the brain can keep returning to the moment of her mother’s death because it was stored with a lot of detail.
He puts it in plain language: “Your subconscious operates in the present. It thinks everything is now.” That is a pretty big reframe for anyone who has ever thought, “Why can’t I just move on?” The problem is not weakness. The problem is the brain doing what it thinks it is supposed to do.
Why emotions feel so intense
Don shares a second idea that explains the intensity. “Anytime you have an emotion, an emotion is a call for an action.” If the mind believes the painful moment is still happening, then the emotion can feel like an urgent demand to fix it, stop it, reverse it.
He even describes the mind’s internal message when the memory comes up: it is like the brain is trying to prevent what already happened. That is where people can spiral, and why grief can start to look like depression or shutdown over time, especially when the mind keeps fighting an outcome it cannot change.
A Better Way: lower the “definition,” lower the pull
Dr. Gary asks the practical question: how do you take a memory from “high definition” to “low definition”? Don’s answer is process-focused. He talks about recalling a short memory and using a series of steps to reduce the intensity, so the mind stops reacting like it is happening right now.
He also makes a point that matters to anyone worried this means “erasing” or “denying” the person they lost. That is not the goal. The goal is that sadness can remain, but the urgent panic can stop. After the intensity drops, people can think about the full relationship again, not just the hardest moment.
And he adds something that fits his Contribute WHY perfectly: “There’s nothing wrong with you… it’s just a glitch.” That is the tone of someone who is trying to help, not judge. If someone is dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, or addiction, it is still wise to seek professional support. This episode is education and perspective, not a replacement for medical or mental health care.
In the end, Don’s work comes through as a clear act of contribution: helping people stop wrestling with the past so they can show up for their life today. If you have ever felt like your brain is stuck on repeat, this conversation gives language for what is happening, and a grounded direction for what to do next.
Meet Dr. Don Wood!
Dr. Don Wood, PhD, author, speaker, Founder & CEO of the Inspired Performance Institute, and creator of the patented TIPP method focused on helping people resolve their trauma and get their lives to a place of high performance.
He has helped 1000’s of people live a better life and overcome the effects of stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction with his neuroscience-backed program, TIPP.
TIPP program is designed to clear away the effects of disturbing or traumatic events, repurpose old thinking patterns and set the individual’s mind up for peak performance.
Dr. Wood is also author of two books, Emotional Concussions and You Must Be Out of your Mind and is releasing his newest book Don’t Mess With My DNA in near future.
Listen to the podcast here
Unlocking Your WHY with Scott Danner: How to Live a Purposeful Life
In this episode of Beyond Your WHY, Dr. Gary Sanchez sits down with Scott Danner, a powerhouse in the world of high performance and LIFE Optimization. Scott, the CEO, entrepreneur, coach, and author of the Amazon best-selling book Freedom Street, hosts The High Performance LIFE podcast, where he dives deep into the mindsets of top achievers. If you’re striving to be the best version of yourself, Scott’s insights are invaluable. His approach centers around focusing on LIFE—love, impact, faith, and energy—before anything else. He believes that when these components are in balance, success naturally follows. His unique perspective has not only transformed his own life but also the lives of countless others. In this episode, Scott shares practical advice and deep insights that can help you align your life with your WHY and achieve true fulfillment.
Understanding Your WHY
Scott’s conversation with Dr. Sanchez reveals the critical importance of understanding your WHY. Scott explains, “Discovering your WHY gives you the clarity to pursue what truly matters to you. It’s the first step towards a fulfilling life.” Knowing your WHY acts as a guiding force, helping you make decisions that align with your true self. This clarity can lead to a more focused and purposeful life, both personally and professionally. For many, the concept of a WHY might seem abstract, but Scott breaks it down into tangible steps. He shares anecdotes and examples from his own journey and those of his clients, illustrating how discovering your WHY can change your life’s trajectory. This foundational understanding sets the stage for everything else discussed in the episode.
Overcoming Challenges with Purpose
One of the standout points Scott makes is about overcoming challenges with a clear sense of purpose. “When you know your WHY, you have a guiding force that helps you overcome challenges and stay focused on your goals,” he says. This episode highlights real-life examples of high performers who have faced significant obstacles and used their WHY to navigate through them. Scott’s insights provide a roadmap for listeners to tackle their own challenges with a clear sense of purpose. He emphasizes that challenges are a part of life, but having a strong WHY helps you stay resilient. With your WHY as your anchor, you can turn setbacks into opportunities for growth and learning, making you stronger in the long run.
Improving Relationships and Communication
Another major theme in the episode is the impact of knowing your WHY on your relationships. Scott emphasizes, “Understanding your WHY can improve your relationships. It helps you communicate better and build stronger connections.” By being clear about your motivations and values, you can engage with others more authentically. This improved communication leads to deeper and more meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally. Scott shares stories of individuals who transformed their personal and professional relationships by aligning their interactions with their core motivations. He explains how understanding your own WHY can help you understand others better, fostering empathy and stronger connections.
Making Better Decisions
Scott also touches on how understanding your core motivations can lead to better decision-making. “Your WHY provides clarity, making decision-making easier. It becomes your North Star in every situation,” he explains. By aligning your decisions with your WHY, you ensure that your actions are consistent with your true self. This alignment not only leads to better outcomes but also brings a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Scott discusses practical strategies for incorporating your WHY into everyday decisions, from career choices to personal goals. He highlights the long-term benefits of making decisions that reflect your true values, leading to a more cohesive and satisfying life path.
In this enlightening episode, Scott Danner shares profound insights on how discovering and understanding your WHY can transform your life. From improving relationships and overcoming challenges to making better decisions, Scott’s advice is practical and impactful. His approach to focusing on love, impact, faith, and energy before success is a game-changer for anyone looking to live a more purposeful life. Scott’s relatable storytelling and actionable tips make this episode a must-listen. Ready to dive deeper into the power of your WHY? Listen to the full episode now and start your path towards a more fulfilling life!
About Scott Danner
Scott Danner is a champion of high performers — and those who strive to be the best version of themselves. A CEO, entrepreneur, coach, consultant and LIFE Optimization specialist, he is the author of the Amazon best-selling book Freedom Street. He hosts the podcast The High Performance LIFE for high performers in any profession.
Although a high income is often the by-product of success, Scott encourages high performers to focus first on LIFE (an acronym representing love, impact, faith and energy), and the money will follow. He believes we all can make a greater impact when these four critical components of our lives are our focus, and when they are in symmetry.
Fascinated with the way high performers overcome obstacles, Scott dives deep with his podcast guests to explore how they have achieved success and where they have struggled. He leads highly personal, unscripted and candid conversations with ultra-performers to explore their unique mindset.
In 2016, Scott launched his own business in Chesapeake, Va., that has grown to more than 70 professionals in seven states. His business has grown more than 2,000 percent in less than six years and continues to expand nationally. He knows firsthand what it takes for entrepreneurs to serve their clients and make an impact in their communities while also ensuring their own freedom and happiness.
Scott is the cofounder of the Chesapeake Virginia Wine Festival, which has donated more than $2.75 million to local charities. He and his wife, Adrienne, a kindergarten teacher, have two teenaged sons.