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Working with Your Coach

Your Peak Brain coach is here to guide your training, adjust protocols, and help you succeed. This section explains how to communicate effectively and get the most from your coaching support.

Communication Guides

💬 Check-Ins & Reporting

How to check in with your coach and what to report.

Topics covered: - What information to include - Good vs. bad check-in examples - When to check in - What coaches care about most - How often to update

📱 Using Slack

Your primary communication tool for remote coaching.

You'll learn: - How to send messages - Taking and sharing screenshots - Uploading placement photos - When you'll get responses - Channel etiquette

Your Coaching Support

Remote Clients

Primary contact: Your dedicated Slack channel (remote-lastname_ID)

Who's there: - Your assigned remote coaches - Dr. Hill (monitors all channels) - Other coaches who may chime in

Coverage: - Monday-Friday: 7am-7pm Pacific Time (often earlier) - Saturday-Sunday: 7am-5pm Pacific Time - Response time: Usually within a few hours

What we help with: - Protocol recommendations - Troubleshooting signal/equipment - Electrode placement guidance - Answering training questions - Adjusting based on your effects

In-Office Clients

Primary contact: Your location's front desk and coaching staff

Communication: - In-person during sessions - Phone/text for scheduling - Email for non-urgent questions

See: Locations for contact info

What to Report

Most Important: Sleep

Sleep changes predict other changes. Tell us about: - Onset: How long to fall asleep? - Maintenance: Wake-ups during the night? - Restfulness: How do you feel when you wake up? - Dreams: Any changes in dream content or vividness?

Also Important: 24-Hour Effects

Focus on the day after training, not during: - Energy and mental clarity - Mood and emotional tone - Stress response and resilience - Focus and concentration - Physical sensations

Helpful Context

  • Which protocol you did
  • How many times you've done it
  • Your current priorities/goals
  • Any life changes (medications, stress, travel)

Good Check-In Examples

✅ Example 1: After Trying a Protocol

"Hey @channel, I just finished C4-A1 for the 3rd time. I'm sleeping pretty well—falling asleep faster and only waking up once instead of 3-4 times. Energy and focus seem better. But I'd really like to work on anxiety next—any suggestions?"

Why this is good: - States which protocol and how many times - Reports specific sleep changes - Mentions other noticed effects - Clarifies current goal - Asks for next step

✅ Example 2: Reporting Negative Effects

"Hi @channel, I tried C3-A1 for the first time last night and felt really 'on' afterward. Had trouble falling asleep and feeling more anxious today. Should I avoid this one?"

Why this is good: - Reports immediately (doesn't wait) - Specific about the protocol - Describes the effects clearly - Asks for guidance

✅ Example 3: Not Much to Report

"Hi @channel, I've done Fz-Pz segmented with Cz-A1 for a couple sessions now and haven't really noticed much. Sleeping OK, maybe a bit calmer. Anxiety is still my main goal. Should I keep repeating or try something different?"

Why this is good: - Honest about "not much" (this is useful data!) - Mentions what IS happening - Reiterates goal - Asks whether to continue or switch

Bad Check-In Examples

❌ Example 1: Too Vague

"I finished my protocols. What should I do next?"

Problems: - Doesn't say which protocols - Doesn't mention effects - No context about goals

Better: Add protocol names, how many times, what you noticed, current goal

❌ Example 2: Too Soon

"I just did C3-A1 tonight for the second time. What should I do next?"

Problems: - Too early—wait for next-day effects - No report of changes - Should do it at least 2-4 times before switching

Better: Report back tomorrow after observing 24-hour effects

❌ Example 3: No Information

"I need some new protocols."

Problems: - No context about what you've been doing - No mention of effects - No indication of goals

Better: Explain what you've tried, what happened, what you're working on

When to Check In

Regular Check-Ins

After 2-4 sessions of the same protocol (sometimes more if improvements continue)

Include: - Protocol and number of repetitions - What's changing (sleep, mood, energy, focus) - Current priority - Request for next protocol

Immediate Check-Ins

Contact right away if: - ❌ Negative effects (worse sleep, increased anxiety, fatigue) - ❌ Equipment problems preventing training - ❌ Unsure about a placement before starting - ❌ Questions about your protocol - ❌ Significant life change (medication, major stress)

Don't wait if something feels off!

What Coaches Care About

Most Valuable Data

Information Why It Matters
Sleep Predicts other changes, most sensitive indicator
24-hour effects Real training impact (not during-session feelings)
Patterns over time Trends matter more than single sessions
Your goals Helps us target training appropriately

Less Important

Information Why
During-session feelings Can be interesting but not predictive
"Not much" Actually useful! Tells us protocol isn't producing effects
Game performance Games adjust difficulty—performance stays constant

Survey System

AM Survey (After Sleep)

When: Morning, after you wake up

What it tracks: - Sleep onset, maintenance, restfulness - Energy and mood upon waking - Dreams and sleep quality

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Most important survey!)

PM Survey (After Training)

When: Right after training session

What it tracks: - Session details (protocol, duration) - Immediate feelings - Any notable experiences

Importance: ⭐⭐⭐ (Helpful but less critical than AM)

Compliance

Expected: 25-50% completion is typical

Don't stress if you miss surveys, but: - AM surveys are more valuable than PM - Consistency helps us see patterns - Fill out when you notice changes

If missing 2+ days: Coach may ping you

Response Times

During Coverage Hours

Monday-Friday 7am-7pm PT: - Usually within a few hours - Often same-hour for urgent issues - Dr. Hill often checks in mornings/evenings

Saturday-Sunday 7am-5pm PT: - Usually same-day - May be slower than weekdays

Outside Coverage Hours

Evenings, late weekends, holidays: - Next business day - For emergencies, you can try texting your location

Not an emergency? It can wait until coverage hours.

Coach Assignments

Remote Program

Odd/Even Days: - Clients assigned to "Odd" or "Even" check-in days - Odd: 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc. - Even: 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.

Your coaches monitor your channel regardless of day—post anytime!

In-Office

You'll typically work with the same coach(es) at your location consistently.

Special Coaching Sessions

QEEG Review

With Dr. Hill via Zoom, 48+ hours after brain map

Duration: 30-45 minutes

Topics: - Your brain map explained - Phenotypes and patterns - Initial protocol recommendations - Questions answered

Remote Refresh Call

Monthly check-in (optional, after Virtual Intensive)

When: Around session 13 (end of first month)

Topics: - Review progress - Clarify complicated protocols - Sharpen skills - Plan next QEEG

Optional: If making good progress and comfortable, can skip!

Virtual Intensive

6 guided sessions for new remote clients (first 2 weeks)

Structure: - AnyDesk + Zoom - Learn equipment, placements, software - Practice each session type - Build independence

See: Your First Six Sessions

Tips for Great Communication

Screenshots & Photos

When helpful: - Electrode placements (use phone camera) - Signal quality issues (screenshot EEGer) - Software errors (screenshot message) - Equipment questions (photo of setup)

How: - Phone: Download Slack app, take photo, upload - Computer: Windows + Shift + S (Windows), Cmd + Shift + 4 (Mac)

Be Specific

Instead of: "It's not working"
Say: "C4 electrode showing flat line even with paste"

Instead of: "I feel different"
Say: "Sleeping better, falling asleep in 10 min instead of 45"

Instead of: "Is this normal?"
Say: "After Alpha-Theta I felt spacey for 2 hours—is that expected?"

Ask Questions!

There are no silly questions. We'd rather you ask than: - Guess at a placement - Skip training because you're unsure - Continue a protocol that's not helping - Worry unnecessarily

We Are Brain Readers, Not Mind Readers!

Your role: Tell us your priorities and what you notice
Our role: Select and adjust protocols to target your goals

We need you to: - Report honestly (even "not much" is valuable) - Clarify your current priority (sleep, anxiety, focus, etc.) - Let us know if protocols aren't helping - Ask when you're unsure

We will: - Recommend protocols based on your QEEG and goals - Adjust based on your feedback - Guide you toward your goals - Troubleshoot issues as they arise

Your coach is your partner in this process. Don't hesitate to reach out—we're here to help you succeed!