Chronic stress, whether from work, relationships, sleep deprivation, or life circumstances, elevates cortisol levels in the body which directly interferes with muscle repair, fat metabolism, immune function, and overall recovery from training. Your body does not differentiate between physical stress from exercise and psychological stress from life, so when your stress bucket is full, recovery slows down regardless of how well you are eating and sleeping. This is why the NHANCE approach emphasizes total wellness rather than just training hard. Understanding and managing your stress load is a meaningful part of making consistent progress, and your coach can help you adjust your training intensity and volume during periods when life demands more from your nervous system.