15: Gratitude vs. Pressure- The Neuroscience Trick Every Athlete, Coach, and Parent Should Know

In this episode, Amy Suiter breaks down gratitude in a way most people have never heard before. Not as a holiday moment or a “say three things you’re thankful for” activity… but as a biological tool with the power to calm pressure, quiet fear, and bring your thinking brain back online.

Amy uses real-life examples from Thanksgiving week, relatable stories we all experience in family gatherings, and simple brain science to explain why gratitude works, why we forget to use it in tough moments, and how athletes, parents, and coaches can turn it into a mental reset, on the field and at home.

This episode isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about learning how to flip your brain out of stress and into clarity, confidence, and calm.

Key Takeaways

• Gratitude isn’t just a “nice idea,” it’s one of the only emotional states that can shut off anxiety, pressure, and fear in the brain.
  
  
• When the amygdala (your fear center) is active, the prefrontal cortex (your clarity center) goes offline. Gratitude flips that switch.
  
  
• Your brain can’t hold gratitude and fear at the same time, gratitude always wins.
  
  
• The three emotional “light switch” states (dim, dark, and lights on) affect performance, communication, and stress levels.
  
  
• You can train your mind to use gratitude as a reset, even in the moments when it feels hardest to reach for it.
  
  

Episode Flow

Opening

Amy shares a relatable Thanksgiving story, the shift from connection and joy to stress, comparison, and irritation and explains why our brains often hijack us in moments meant for gratitude. She reframes gratitude as a privilege and a powerful performance tool available every single day.

Why Gratitude Works (And Why We Forget to Use It)

A practical, human look at why gratitude is often the last thing we think about when we need it most. Amy explains why the brain defaults to protection mode, and how consciously choosing gratitude slows your breath, quiets your nervous system, and restores confidence and calm.

The Brain Science (Made Simple + Human)

Amy breaks down the two major players in the brain:

• The Amygdala: fear, pressure, anxiety, fight-or-flight
  
  
• The Prefrontal Cortex: clarity, confidence, perspective, decision-making
  
  

She explains why both can’t run the show at the same time… and how gratitude flips the seesaw back toward calm, focus, and clarity.

The Three “Light Switch” States

Using an analogy of a room and a light switch, Amy explains the three emotional states:

• Dim Room: your neutral autopilot
  
  
• Dark Room: stress, fear, pressure… amygdala running the show
  
  
• Lights On: gratitude, your best self returns
  
  

Listeners learn what state they’re in and how to move between them.

How to Actually Use Gratitude as a Reset

Amy teaches a simple, doable 3-step system to use gratitude in real time, especially during pressure, conflict, mistakes, or emotional intensity.

1. Notice the darkness
   
   
2. Choose one real gratitude
   
   
3. Hold it for 5–10 seconds
   
   

This is the moment the “light switch” flips. With practice, this reset becomes faster and more natural.

Closing

Amy challenges listeners to use gratitude as a daily mental reset this coming week, not just during Thanksgiving, but in the moments of pressure, misunderstanding, stress, or irritation. Gratitude becomes a powerful tool for performance, relationships, mental health, and emotional resilience.

She ends with a reminder that gratitude isn’t just holiday tradition, it’s a privilege we carry with us every moment of our lives.

Connect with Amy:

Website: www.amysuiter.com Instagram: @asuiter25
Facebook: Amy Suiter

Don’t Forget:

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a coach, athlete, or parent who wants to grow from the inside out.