Ep 88: Breathwork and Breath Coaching with Alex Yeates

What if the key to managing chronic stress, improving athletic performance, and, perhaps, processing trauma was right under your nose this entire time? (How could we not?!)

This week on A Coach, a Nutritionist, and an Expert Walk Into a Podcast, Mike Krause, mental performance coach, and Dr. Helena Fowler, DCN, clinical functional nutritionist, are joined by breath coach Alex Yeates for a fascinating deep-dive into all things breath. 

Alex breaks down the science behind why we breathe the way we do, the difference between "breathwork" experiences and breath coaching, and how our unconscious breathing patterns directly impact our stress levels and overall health.

In this Episode
🎧 What breath per minute may say about the lifespan of different species 
🎧 How simply counting your breaths for 60 seconds automatically slows your respiratory rate 🎧 Conscious attention to the breath can immediately shift our physiology
🎧 The differences between respiration (which is automatic) and breathing (learned behavior)
🎧 The way we breathe is part of our stress response; a response and pattern we carry from childhood into adulthood
🎧 Challenging the common phrase "take a deep breath" with “receive” or “allow;” how this subtly reinforces a scarcity or growth mindset 
🎧 Different types and forms of breathwork, from intense, psychedelic-like experiences from deliberate hyperventilation (SPOILER: It’s not for everyone; it puts MORE stress on the body!) to long-term functional breathing optimization for daily life 
🎧 Alex's foundational approach to healthy breathing (nasal, gentle, slow, and expansive)

ABOUT ALEX 
Hi, I’m Alex, Breath Coach, performance strategist, and lifelong student of human potential. I work at the intersection of mindset, physiology, and breath, helping people tap into their fullest capacity, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

In 2021, I made a personal pivot, cutting out alcohol before it could derail my trajectory. That decision became a catalyst for transformation. Through daily breath and mindset practices, I rebuilt myself from the inside out and discovered the powerful link between breath and peak performance.

I’ve explored the Wim Hof Method, rebirthing, holotropic breathing, pranayama, and SKY breathing, but it was Conscious Connected Breathwork that truly unlocked the next level for me. It allowed me to clear stress, sharpen focus, and operate from a place of curiosity, calm, and clarity.

Driven to understand the science behind the shift, I pursued certifications through the School of Breath Science and Oxygen Advantage, and now coach everyone from athletes to entrepreneurs, teens, and professionals under high pressure. I specialize in using the breath as a performance tool, supporting nervous system regulation, energy management, pain reduction, and focus enhancement.

Insta: @breathe_on_purpose

Website:

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DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified medical professional. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and may not be those of the hosts or CoNut Media LLC; we are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. Listeners should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Chapters

• 34:43 Mastering Your BS