Buckle up, you mad bastard, because we’re about to plunge headfirst into the twisted, electric carnival that is Heart Rate Variability (HRV) monitoring.

A ravenous beast, screaming at the moon, clawing for its rightful place as the harbinger of the next revolution in recovery, performance, and the very fabric of health itself.

But don’t think for a second that we’re just going to flirt with the surface here—oh no, we're about to cannonball straight into the black abyss ballZ deep. This is where the real animals roam.

Here we go as you, yes you, are about to become the mad conductor of this symphony of chaos. I’m going to teach you how to wield HRV like a butcher's cleaver, slicing through mediocrity to amp your performance, recover like a phoenix, and elevate your health to mythical levels.

And don’t worry, you’ll even understand it all. Hell, I’ll make sure of it. Just follow me into the belly of the beast.

The Clash of Titans: Oura vs. ithlete

First up, let’s have a word about the Oura Ring.
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Ah yes, this little jewel of technological witchcraft wraps around your finger like a spy from some dystopian future, meticulously recording the secret whispers of your body as you drift off into the weird unknown of the night.
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A 24-hour surveillance operation on your HRV sounds slick, right?
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But the road is treacherous, full of odd twists and dark shadows.

Your sleep itself becomes the trickster here, bending and distorting your HRV into something unrecognizable.
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And when you're lying down? That's when the plot really thickens, especially for you athletic demigods out there, drowning in parasympathetic saturation—where the wildest of nights barely register a ripple in your HRV.
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It’s like riding a dragon through a rainstorm and emerging dry.
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But the Ithlete? Ahhh, now we’re talking.

The ithlete is your morning ritual, your pre-battle meditation, a quiet time when you sit with the dawn, eyes clear, and listen. Here’s where the real magic happens.
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This, my fellow freaks of fitness, is the crucible where science meets reality, where you unearth the secrets of your body—the nuances that scream louder than any muscle-bound bro at the gym.

A Tale of Low HRV: A Quest for Clarity

Now imagine this: You're a lost soul, wandering the cracked and desolate plains of low HRV readings on your precious Oura. Cold sweats at midnight.
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Questions bubbling up from the deep, dark recesses of your mind. Is it all a lie? Is the Oura reading your body's gospel, or is there something deeper lurking just out of reach?

That’s where the ithlete swoops in like a mysterious sage at the break of dawn, promising to reveal what the night obscured. You shift to that seated, morning ritual, and suddenly the shadows start to retreat.
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Now -context, my friend—context is the kingpin in this wild HRV game. The quest for clarity demands a full-spectrum look at life’s tumults, where sleep and chaos are untangled in search of one holy truth. In short, Oura is still useful to get a general gauge how you are doing via HRV; however if your resting HR is around 44 bpm or lower during the night, don't trust it.
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​Epilogue: Embrace the Chaos

Let’s not kid ourselves, folks. In this HRV freak show, we’re nothing but ragged explorers, clutching at the tattered edges of something far bigger than us.

HRV is no simple measurement—it’s a cosmic joke with no punchline.
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Whether you’re an Oura disciple or an ithlete zealot, understand this: we’re all just dancing through the flames, trying to make sense of it all.

And for those of you who hover on the brink of low HRV, staring into the abyss—it’s not the end.
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No, it’s just the beginning of a savage, glorious adventure. Your mornings will be seated, your quest eternal, but through the madness of life’s shifting tides, you’ll find balance.

So, here’s to the brave, the deranged, the wanderers who seek out the truth: let your HRV guide you through the maelstrom and into the calm eye of the storm.

Until our paths cross again, in this wild, unpredictable journey of health and enlightenment, keep your eyes wide and your heart attuned to the strange music of the universe.

Want more? Enroll here:

>> HRV Education Course <<

Much love,
Dr Mike
PS- when you enroll in the HRV Education course, you will get my private email to ask any and all related questions.

>> HRV Education Course <<
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____________________

Mike T Nelson CISSN, CSCS, MSME, PhD
Associate Professor, Carrick Institute
Owner, Extreme Human Performance, LLC
Editorial Board Member, STRONG Fitness Mag

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​​Mike T Nelson is a PhD and not a physician or registered dietitian. The contents of this email should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health