So I wanted to share a little bit about some real-life experiences with shifting my wellbeing optimization routine, particularly the morning routine, based on understanding my unique gene setup and in relation to the function of my human system. So in functional self-mastery, the whole point is to learn how to function so that we can master our lives and step into the higher frequency or higher fractal pattern of our unique expression. And a very practical and efficient way to do that is by getting your functional genomic report, particularly The DNA Company 360 report. I have been blown away by the changes I've been able to make by implementing just a few things based on my gene combinations in my morning routine. I want to give examples of how addressing my genes and behavior has helped me feel much better. So I have what you would call low BDNF, and if you're not a nerdy health researcher like myself, you might be wondering what BDNF is. It is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BDNF gene - brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and it influences your neural plasticity, your ability to rebuild neurons and create plasticity changes that relate to your learning, memory, mood, and a bunch of other practical things like what's best for you to do in the morning to have your brain actually support you, your mission, your dreams and living your true values which is obviously what's most important in higher-self development and functional self-mastery. Awesomely I've been able to look at all of this data - you know, the nerdy brain I have that loves to scan and gobble up the details and really look at all those cool things that make up the human system and the way it functions. Because our biological design (which is also a quantum system) can either be optimized to help us be authentic and express what we're here to express, or it can keep us in the shadowlands when we don't decode our patterns and our programming. Therefore BDNF levels are important to decode and understand because they affect your ability to thrive in this shifting paradigm. It's a well-studied gene, particularly in concussions, because it's an essential factor in the brain's ability to restabilize and regenerate after a shake-up. Dramatic destabilization of the brain can have lifelong effects and will need support.

How do concussion and BDNF relate to my personal story, because that's important? It's not just about science but also about bringing clarity to our lived experience and dealing with the aftermath of extreme life events. Well, let's see, I had a concussion when I was in my first year of life, so that's going to really affect my brain, neuronal recovery, and neuroplasticity. But knowing how I can make actionable shifts in my life around this BDNF scenario helped me get out of the hamster wheel brain and out of a darker mindset. When you don't know these things about yourself (your inherited coding) and how your genetic inheritance coupled with inappropriate lifestyle choices may impact your lived experience, you won't know how to reset your reality from within and may exhaust all your resources looking outside of yourself for solutions. For example, when I accounted for what actually happened in my life experiences to express this gene potential in this way (having a concussion in my very early developmental stages coupled with deep emotional trauma) had a massive effect on me and actually gave me access to greater self-compassion. When you read your DNA report (especially if you're going to get a functional genomic perspective that helps you understand how your unique combination of genes functions in a holistic system), a functional interpretation of DNA is most important because we don't really care about what color our eyes are (we know that) or other things that typical genomic reports can tell you about like your ancestry was from XYZ which is interesting and all, but we need the practical application to a genetics report. Or else how will the data do anything measurable in your life? And that's what's so cool about incorporating The DNA Company's 360 reports into Higher-Self Development because it's really enhancing the deeper self-mastery opportunities. I'm passionate about sharing with others so they can reclaim their higher-self energy practically and functionally. I'm passionate about helping others stop just living in a dream-like scenario or spiritual bypassing and actually create the functional change out in the real world that they long to see and experience. So again - long tangent, I know; I'll get back to this whole BDNF scenario and how knowing my gene status gave me perspective and–ultimately, resolution. So what am I doing about that low BDNF now that I have this piece of the puzzle? What is in my hands to create change and provide the "everything is okay signal to my brain."

Things that help increase BDNF levels are getting the body's core temperature heated up in the morning and resetting circadian rhythms. I've owned a sauna for several years, but I wasn't really super committed to doing my sauna; I kind of fell off the wagon with it and was just doing it periodically. However, when I learned about how low BDNF works and how heating up the body really helps, I started getting in my full spectrum red light sauna more often first thing in the morning for about 20 minutes, and it really changed my life. I've also been able to make correlations to why when I'm in hotter environments, I notice that I can more easily access deep clarity, creative thoughts, or solutions. I'm having that epiphany experience (43rd gene key, in my life's work - line 5) where things are just connecting when my body temperature is elevated. Without that information, you'd be like, "oh well, everybody on vacation in the sun feels more relaxed, and maybe that's why things come together," but knowing that when my core is heated directly affects my BDNF levels actually makes more biological sense as to why these experiences are more likely to occur. It's so fun to understand biotransformation on this level because I can actually plan to put myself in hotter environments to optimize my brain function and know that I am actually doing something really good for my body that leads to my expansion and awareness–pretty cool. The second thing that can increase BDNF levels is coffee fruit extract, so I am taking a coffee fruit extract supplement for added support. Genomic-inspired supplements are also part of what we can look into when decoding your DNA and how these lifestyle shifts may functionally play out in your daily routine, and most importantly, connecting how your story ties into your genetic lived experience because a lot of times, connecting this aspect can bring closure in ways that will really surprise you.

What does Serotonin have to do with optimizing mornings?

Let's look at another factor that my DNA 360 report helped me dial in that is really important for mood, behavior, and brain function. And that is serotonin levels. So my Serotonin is on the sub-optimal spectrum, which leads to dysregulated Serotonin, and that's going to greatly affect my mood, behavior, frustration, and irritability. If you are unfamiliar with this chemical and its roles, Serotonin plays a key role in body functions such as mood, sleep and waking cycles, wound healing, digestion, and much more. So what was I able to do based on that information of serotonin dysregulation because that's the whole purpose here, how is this intel going to help functional self-mastery and my higher-self fully developing and embodying in the flesh here and now.

In the mornings, along with knowing that heating my body up is going to help me be clear and increase BDNF, I also make sure and get direct sunlight within the first hour upon waking, which has made a huge impact on my life so far. No more mental confusion, getting distracted with every little thing or feeling like I'm bombarded with dark emotional turmoil out of nowhere. Now I have a morning routine where I do my best to either get in the sauna right away and then go outside within the first hour upon waking to get some direct sunlight. Or, I just get up in the morning, skip the sauna and go outside first thing to get sunlight on my face while jumping on my rebounder for about 15 to 20 minutes. This way, I'm increasing my heart rate enough to affect BDNF levels optimally, and I'm also getting that sunlight in the morning to regulate my circadian rhythms and activate vitamin D, which is also helping to stabilize my mood. So these are just a few insights I wanted to share with you. I'm also giving you free access to a BDNF meditation I created to support your journey here.