Discipline, ambition and experience are not enough to sustain high performance, because what actually runs out is biological capacity, not capability. That's according to executive performance advisor Alessandra Edwards, author of The DNA of Performance, which introduces the DNA energy signature, a framework for sustaining high performance around individual biology rather than one-size-fits-all routines. 

Alessandra explains how genetic factors like circadian wiring, glucose metabolism and stress chemistry determine when and how someone performs best, and unpacks superhuman syndrome, the deceptive high-functioning state that often precedes burnout. 

She shares the early warning signs leaders miss, from needing more caffeine to shortened emotional fuses, and offers practical guidance for self-assessment and for supporting a struggling direct report. 

Takeaways  
Capability rarely declines with age, but daily capacity often does. 
Circadian wiring determines when someone naturally reaches peak cognitive performance. 
Genetic testing revealed one client's early rising was undermining their sleep. 
Understanding your energy rhythm beats copying someone else's morning routine. 
Blood glucose stability affects focus, mood and leadership quality daily. 
Superhuman syndrome feels invincible but quietly drains long-term capacity. 
Needing more caffeine than usual signals approaching burnout, not resilience. 
Knowing your stress-response genotype helps you turn pressure up or down. 

Follow Alessandra Edwards 

Alessandra’s book 
The DNA of High-Performance Leadership Action Plan https://link.amazon/B05CehPJb 

Book recommended by Alessandra 
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Dr Peter Attia with Bill Gifford  https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1785044559/ 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners 

Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/ 

Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  
Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO 
Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process 
Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster 
Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) 

Follow me: 
on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  
on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth 

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Discipline, ambition and experience are not enough to sustain high performance, because what actually runs out is biological capacity, not capability. That's according to executive performance advisor Alessandra Edwards, author of The DNA of Performance, which introduces the DNA energy signature, a framework for sustaining high performance around individual biology rather than one-size-fits-all routines.&nbsp;
Alessandra explains how genetic factors like circadian wiring, glucose metabolism and stress chemistry determine when and how someone performs best, and unpacks superhuman syndrome, the deceptive high-functioning state that often precedes burnout.&nbsp;
She shares the early warning signs leaders miss, from needing more caffeine to shortened emotional fuses, and offers practical guidance for self-assessment and for supporting a struggling direct report.&nbsp;
Takeaways &nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Capability rarely declines with age, but daily capacity often does.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Circadian wiring determines when someone naturally reaches peak cognitive performance.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Genetic testing revealed one client's early rising was undermining their sleep.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Understanding your energy rhythm beats copying someone else's morning routine.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Blood glucose stability affects focus, mood and leadership quality daily.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Superhuman syndrome feels invincible but quietly drains long-term capacity.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Needing more caffeine than usual signals approaching burnout, not resilience.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Knowing your stress-response genotype helps you turn pressure up or down.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Follow Alessandra Edwards&nbsp;
Alessandra&rsquo;s book&nbsp; The DNA of High-Performance Leadership Action Plan <a href="https://link.amazon/B05CehPJb">https://link.amazon/B05CehPJb</a>&nbsp;
Book recommended by Alessandra&nbsp; Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Dr Peter Attia with Bill Gifford&nbsp; <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1785044559/">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1785044559/</a>&nbsp;
Watch the episode on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners">https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners</a>&nbsp;
Newsletter &ndash; each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/</a>&nbsp;
Books &ndash; Learn more about our books&nbsp;<a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/made-to-thrive/"> Made to Thrive:</a> The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/onboarded/">Onboarded:&nbsp;</a>How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/onboarded-for-managers-book/">Onboarded for Managers:</a> Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/">Bigger isn&rsquo;t Better, Better is Better:</a>&nbsp;Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)&nbsp;
Follow me:&nbsp; on <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles">https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles</a>&nbsp; on <a href="https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth">https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth</a>&nbsp;
Enjoying the show? Leave a review&nbsp;

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.

The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.
The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

The Evolution Partners

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.

We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.
We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.