Building a business demands everything from you. But what if the key to performing at your best isn’t working harder, but working smarter with your biology?
How can busy founders manage stress without overhauling their lives? What small, science-backed changes actually move the needle on focus, resilience, and clarity?
In this episode, Taylor Nissi, CFP®, CEPA, sits down with Jamey Maniscalco, PhD, a neuroscientist and founder of Manifest Wellness, to explore how entrepreneurs can leverage brain science for better performance. Jamey shares his journey from studying stress in graduate school to founding a wellness startup focused on accessible, evidence-based practices. The conversation unpacks how stress can be beneficial, why neuroplasticity matters, and practical techniques like the physiological sigh that take seconds but deliver real results.
Jamey discusses:
- His transition from neuroscience professor to wellness startup founder focused on accessible health practices
- Why stress isn’t always harmful and how perception changes mortality outcomes by up to 60%
- The physiological sigh breathing technique that calms your nervous system in 10 seconds
- How neuroplasticity allows you to rewire thought patterns through intentional practice
- Why hustle culture undermines cognitive performance and how rest fuels creativity
- And more!
Resources:
- Strategic Wealth Scorecard (2-minute assessment): Strategic Wealth Score Card
- The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal (book)
Connect with Taylor Nissi:
- Pleasant Street Wealth Advisors
- LinkedIn: Taylor Nissi CFP®, CEPA
- Book some time with Taylor (Book 20 Minute Strategy Call)
Connect with Jamey Maniscalco:
About our Guest:
Jamey Maniscalco is a neuroscientist and the Founder of Manifest Wellness, a health-focused startup designed to meet people where they are in their daily lives. With a background spanning academic research, pharmaceuticals, consulting, and higher education, Jamey brings neuroscience out of the lab and into practical, everyday habits. His work centers on stress, behavior change, and small intentional practices that support clarity, focus, and emotional balance for busy professionals and entrepreneurs.
About Taylor Nissi:
Taylor A. Nissi, CFP® CEPA, is a founder of Pleasant Street Wealth Advisors. As a Certified Financial Planner, Taylor provides high-impact financial advice and guidance to individuals, businesses, and families. Taylor also holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Taylor works with business owners of all stages to help them build valuable transferrable businesses.
The Pleasant Street Wealth Advisors team is on a mission to help more people have confidence, peace of mind, and clarity in their financial life. When our clients reach that level of confidence and peace of mind in their financial life, they can spend more time and energy on the people and passions that bring them joy. We call that “Experiencing Your Wealth’s Possibilities.”
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Entrepreneurs and business owners.
Serves a national or global client base.
Based in Westchester County NY
High Net Worth individuals