Performance Through a Polyvagal Lens: Part One | Podcast

This episode of Wired for Connection is about the physiology of performance. In Part One of this discussion with Michael Allison, we'll learn more about Michael and his background in performance consulting, and how polyvagal principles help inform performance in the workplace and in building relationships. 

In Part Two, coming early January 2026, we'll discuss athletic performance, and deconstruct dominant narratives about performance and achievement -- using the nervous system and Polyvagal Theory as a guide.

Michael Allison is a globally recognized performance consultant, educator, and author who applies Polyvagal Theory to optimize health, resilience, and excellence under pressure. He is the creator of Autonomic Agility®, his registered framework for teaching individuals and teams how to recognize, respect, and guide their physiological state in high-stakes environments. Michael also developed the Performance Hierarchy and the Play Zone methodology, two core models—endorsed by Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D.—that translate Polyvagal principles into accessible, real-world performance tools.

Through his accredited Play Zone Pro® training programs, Michael has certified more than 500 consultants and coaches worldwide. His curriculum is translated into French, German, Polish, and Spanish, with additional languages forthcoming, supporting an international community of practitioners applying Autonomic Agility® across performance, health, leadership, and education.

Michael trains elite performers—including professional athletes, sports psychologists, executives, creatives, and teams—and his expertise is sought across major sports organizations, including MLB, NBA, ATP, WTA, FIFA, ITF, NCAA, AVCA, AVP, and USATF.

He writes the Pressure Paradox column for Psychology Today, where he examines the physiological, psychological, and relational demands of performing in modern pressure-based environments.

As a keynote speaker and educational partner with the Polyvagal Institute, Michael leads globally recognized educational programs for performance and health professionals. His courses are accredited by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaches and are supported by Dr. Porges. He is also a core educator for the Polyvagal Institute’s flagship training, helping bring Polyvagal Theory into competitive, organizational, and high-stakes environments.

Michael is the author of State of Play: Guiding Flow Through the Vagus Nerve for High Achievers (New Harbinger, 2026) and co-author of Polyvagal Parenting (New Harbinger, 2026). His work appears across multiple Norton Professional volumes, including “Turning Competition Into Co-regulation” in Somatic-Oriented Therapies and “Empathy to Compassion: A Two-Step Physiological Process,” co-authored with Dr. Porges, in Polyvagal Perspectives. His performance case study was published in Safe and Sound (Sounds True).

Through Autonomic Agility®, the Performance Hierarchy, and the Play Zone, Michael bridges cutting-edge neuroscience with real-world application—helping individuals, teams, and organizations guide their physiology with clarity, confidence, and connection in environments defined by pressure.

To learn with Michael, enroll in his Play Zone Pro course with the Polyvagal Institute here: https://learning.polyvagal.org/pages/...

CONNECT WITH PVI:
polyvagal.org [http://polyvagal.org]
@PolyvagalInstitute on Social Media

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:
https://theplayzone.com/

00:00 Physiological State Preparation
00:22 Introduction to Michael Allison and Polyvagal Performance
01:10 Play State and Performance Pressure
02:26 Michael Allison's Journey and Polyvagal Theory
04:10 Meaning of Play in Performance
07:11 Methodologies in Writing, Coaching, and Workshops
10:08 Personal Realizations Through Polyvagal Theory
15:30 Fear, Protection, and Competitive Drive
21:02 Maintaining Play and Safety in Life's Demands
25:12 Building Reassuring Environments for Performance
34:02 Overcoming Past Performance Issues
39:03 Conclusion and Future Discussions Preview