In this raw and eye-opening conversation, co-hosts Susan Robbins (certified epigenetic human performance coach) and Kate King (licensed psychotherapist and board-certified art therapist) welcome Dr. Navaz Habib, aka “The Vagus Nerve Doc,” to unpack one of the most overlooked superpowers in your body: the vagus nerve.

Dr. Habib shares how stress, inflammation, and poor vagal tone can silently erode your health, and why your heart rate variability (HRV) is the key biomarker you should be tracking. From sleep and gut health to resilience and emotional regulation, your vagus nerve plays a starring role in how you feel and function every day.

Whether you’re a health nerd, a burnt-out parent, or someone in your 30s–60s wondering why your “brakes” feel fried, this episode is packed with empowering science and actionable tools. Learn the game-changing V.A.G.U.S. Protocol (Validate, Activate, Gut-Brain, Unburden, Sustain) and find out how to start rewiring your stress response, no matter your age.

In this episode:

• The science of vagus nerve regulation and HRV
• Why most people are living with worn-out “brakes”
• Signs of low vagal tone, and how to rebuild it
• Dr. Habib’s V.A.G.U.S. Protocol for lifelong resilience
• Why breathwork (and even mouth taping!) can change your life
  

Learn more about Dr. Habib’s work at healthupgraded.com and check out his book Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve. You can also find him on Instagram @drnavazhabib and listen to his podcast The Health Upgrade.

Learn more about our guest Dr. Navaz Habib on the episode show notes!

About Susan Robbins and Kate King

Susan and Kate come from two very different, but perfectly complementary, worlds in the health and wellness space. Together, their synergy is magnetic. Think: science meets soul, strategy meets intuition, real talk meets radical transformation.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Navaz Habib:

Website: https:/healthupgraded.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib
Books: Activate Your Vagus Nerve, Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Dr-Navaz-Habib/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ADr.%2BNavaz%2BHabib

TruVaga Device: https://www.truvaga.com/

The Oxygen Advantage - Patrick McKeown: https://www.amazon.com/Oxygen-Advantage-Scientifically-Breathing-Techniques/dp/0062349473

Breath - James Nestor: https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art-ebook/dp/B0818ZZNLR/

Find all of Kate and Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes: https://healthyawakening.co/2025/08/18/episode71/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Connect with Kate: https://theradiantlifeproject.com/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

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