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Writer's pictureSandy Kusano

Unbecoming the "One Brain" Myth: Tap Into Your Three Brains for Powerful Decision-Making


A promotional graphic for the "Unbecoming" series. The background features a woman seated at a desk, arms raised in a victorious, relaxed pose, suggesting empowerment and freedom. The large text "UN BECOMING" is prominently displayed on the left side in bold white and coral colors. On the bottom right is a circular logo reading "Joyful Optimist • Human Potential Coach • Sandy Kusano" in white, emphasizing the coaching focus on human potential. The image conveys a sense of liberation, self-realization, and growth.

For most of our lives, we’ve been conditioned to believe we have just one brain in charge of all our thinking, decisions, and actions. We tell ourselves, “Think it through,” “Use your head,” or “I just need to figure it out.” But what if this mindset is actually limiting us? As founders, the daily pressure to make smart, impactful decisions can be overwhelming—and let’s face it, there’s a lot of overthinking and self-doubt.


But here’s the thing: We’ve got three brains, not just one. By unbecoming our old, single-brain conditioning, we can unlock new tools and resources that help us respond to life’s challenges with more creativity, insight, and confidence.


What is the Three Brains Theory? 

You might be thinking, “Wait, three brains?!” Yup, neuroscience tells us we have three key neural centers that operate like “brains”:


  • 🧠The Head Brain – The classic “thinking” brain, responsible for logic, problem-solving, and reasoning.

  • 💖The Heart Brain – The emotional intelligence center, guiding compassion, connection, and intuition.

  • 💡The Gut Brain – The primal brain, the one responsible for instinct, courage, and that deep knowing we often call a “gut feeling.”


The Three Brains Theory was popularized by Grant Soosalu and Marvin Oka in their 2012 book mBraining: Using Your Multiple Brains to Do Cool Stuff. They combined insights from neuroscience, neurobiology, and psychology to show that each brain—head, heart, and gut—has its own unique intelligence.


A promotional banner for an upcoming virtual event titled "How to Break Free from Self-Sabotage and Multiply Your Impact (Even if You've Struggled with It for Years) in ONE DAY." The event is scheduled for October 20, 2024, at 12:00 PM EDT. The background image features a person holding a paintbrush, with their hands covered in vibrant paint, symbolizing creativity and transformation. The banner includes a prominent red "Register Here" button and social media icons for sharing, displayed at the bottom right. The event focuses on overcoming self-sabotage to increase impact and income for founders and entrepreneurs.


But this idea isn't new. Ancient Eastern traditions like yoga and Chinese medicine have long recognized the heart and gut as key centers of wisdom and intuition. Modern science is finally catching up! The heart has over 40,000 neurons, often referred to as a “heart brain,” and the gut, with its 100 million neurons, is considered a “second brain.”

So, relying only on your head brain limits your decision-making power. As founders, we need all three brains to make aligned, empowered choices and navigate the pressures of leadership.


How Founders Can Use Their Three Brains for Powerful Decision-Making

Imagine running your business with the power of all three brains in harmony. Here’s how you can use your three brains for powerful decision-making:


  • 🧠Head Brain: When developing a business plan, analyzing data, or mapping out strategies, your head brain shines. But too much head brain leads to overthinking and indecision.

  • 💖Heart Brain: Emotional intelligence is key to great leadership. Use your heart brain to build authentic relationships, connect with your team, and nurture a strong company culture. It’s your emotional compass, guiding you with empathy and intuition.

  • 💡Gut Brain: When logic doesn’t have the answers, your gut brain steps in. It’s your source of courage, intuition, and that bold feeling that says, “Just go for it!” Whether it’s taking a big risk or trusting your instincts, your gut will lead you to opportunities your head might miss.


By integrating these three brains, you make smarter, more aligned decisions. Imagine your head brain mapping out a strategic move, your heart brain aligning the decision with your values, and your gut brain giving you the courage to take bold action. Now that’s powerful.


Unbecoming Your Conditioning: The First Step 🛤️

The first step in using all three brains is to recognize who we are not anymore. We’ve all got saboteurs—those mental habits like overthinking, perfectionism, or self-doubt—that hold us back. These voices often keep us stuck in patterns that no longer serve us.

But what if you don’t know who you are not? What if you’re unsure where to begin the process of unbecoming? That’s exactly where we start—quieting those saboteur voices and peeling back the layers to reveal your true self.


Join Me in the Saboteur Workshop: Sunday is for Growth on October 20th

This half-day workshop is designed for founders just like you—those ready to break free from mental saboteurs and step into their true leadership potential. You’ll discover how to start listening to all three brains, empowering yourself to lead with clarity, confidence, and creativity.


In this interactive, high-impact session, we’ll dive into:


  • Identifying the top mental saboteurs holding you back.

  • Practical techniques to quiet these voices.

  • Tools to make decisions using your head, heart, and gut in alignment.


By the end, you’ll have a roadmap to unbecoming old patterns and stepping into a more mentally fit, empowered version of yourself.


Early Bird Special Until October 4th! 🗓️

Snag your spot now at the early bird price of $79 before prices go up! And because you’ve made it this far, here’s a little extra treat—use code JOY20 for an additional 20% off. Don’t wait—you’ve got all the tools you need within you to break free from old conditioning and unlock the power of your three brains!




This workshop is the perfect stepping stone into my 12-week Ignite Program—a transformative experience designed for founders ready to 10x their business by mastering mental fitness. Why take 12 months to hit your goals when you can do it in just 12 weeks? Plus, when you attend the Saboteur Workshop, you’ll unlock an exclusive discount on the program.


Join us on October 20th—your next level is waiting! 🌟


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