The Hidden System Behind Performance: Functional Vision Training with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum

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Behind every great movement is a trained visual system. Your eyes aren’t just for seeing — they’re tools for balance, reaction, and control. When they’re not working in sync with your brain and body, everything from focus to performance suffers.

In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Dr. Bryce Appelbaum — a neuro-optometrist specializing in functional vision — joins Juliet and Kelly Starrett to break down how your visual system drives everything from reaction time to recovery. He explains how training the eyes and brain together can improve coordination, balance, and focus under pressure. Whether you’re coming back from a concussion or looking to level up your athletic edge, this episode will open your eyes to the hidden system behind performance.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• What functional vision training is (and how it differs from standard eye exams)
• Why vision is a skill — not just a sense
• How concussions and screen time can disrupt your visual system
• The surprising ways vision affects posture, balance, and coordination
• Practical tools to improve visual endurance and reaction time
• How athletes can train their eyes like any other muscle
• Why vision issues are often misdiagnosed as ADHD

Key Highlights: 

(00:00) - Intro

(01:48) - Vision Misunderstandings

(05:14) - Training Eyesight Without Glasses

(10:27) - Identifying Children's Vision Problems

(15:44) - Causes of Reading Fatigue

(18:54) - Increasing Vision Changes Trends

(23:33) - Healthy Vision Training Routine

(27:35) - Sponsor: Momentous

(30:29) - Sponsor: LMNT

(32:45) - Duration for Effective Vision Training

(38:02) - Secrets to Regular Bowel Movements

(44:06) - Understanding Concussions

(50:30) - Getting Help for Concussions

(53:20) - Functional Vision as a Competitive Advantage

(56:20) - Finding Dr. Bryce

Sponsors

This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by LMNT and Momentous.