September 22, 2025
Hedda’s catalyst for joining Nervous System Mastery was to follow her curiosity. As an entrepreneur, professor, and impact investor who'd spent 20 years working in the financial world, she already had significant self-awareness and familiarity with neuroleadership concepts. Her motivation was to take her learning even further.
The catalyst came through her friendship with Robert, who'd grown tired of her asking "How do you feel about this?" only to receive responses about what he was thinking. When Robert discovered NSM and asked if she'd join him as a learning partner, Hedda saw it as an opportunity to explore methodologies she hadn't yet tested or understood the science behind.
For Hedda, this represented a significant shift from her usual role. After 20 years of teaching as a professor, she was excited about sitting in the student seat again, learning from others rather than leading the conversation.
The NSM Approach
When Hedda joined Cohort 7 in March 2025, she approached it as an intellectual and collaborative journey with Robert. She was impressed by how the course balanced structure with genuine care, and by Jonny's humility in presenting his story and learnings without the arrogance she'd seen from other instructors in similar fields.
The experience gave her renewed faith in online education, showing her that it was possible to create welcoming, non-hierarchical learning spaces that felt nurturing for people at all levels of self-awareness.
Hedda appreciated that the program allowed for different levels of engagement. With her natural tendency toward quieter participation, she found she could still gain tremendous value from the course even while engaging selectively with exercises and community aspects.
Major Turning Points
- Discovering NSDR: The biggest game-changer was Non-Sleep Deep Rest, delivered by Kelly Boys. Having been on a spiritual meditation track, Hedda initially might have dismissed Huberman's NSDR work, but Jonny's presentation and Kelly's voice made it accessible and transformative.
- New Tools for Teaching: NSDR became something she could offer clients who struggled with traditional mindfulness and meditation practices, providing an alternative pathway to similar benefits.
- Opening New Doors: The course became a portal to further learning, specifically leading her to the Alethia program with Steve March, which became another significant accelerator in her development.
What Changed?
- Professional Integration: Hedda successfully embedded NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) and other techniques into her personal relationships and professional practice, particularly for people who couldn't access traditional meditation approaches.
- Learning Perspective: The experience reinforced her love of being a student and reminded her that the nervous system field is constantly evolving with new things to learn.
- Pathway to Growth: Rather than dramatic personal transformation, NSM served as a stepping stone that expedited other changes and brought her to new doorways of learning.
Life Now
Hedda continues to use the tools she learned, particularly NSDR, which has become a go-to practice. She wishes she had more time with the Stateshift app to practice the techniques she learned theoretically, especially the energizing breathwork practices that complement her tendency toward calming practices.
While she feels she missed some elements of the course experience, she values having the platform available to revisit whenever she chooses. The course achieved its primary goal: introducing her to new methodologies and opening pathways for continued learning and growth.
Hedda's Parting Words
For Hedda, NSM's greatest value lay in its welcoming, non-hierarchical approach to learning. She emphasizes that the course is valuable not just for people seeking to fix problems, but for those who already have self-awareness and professional experience in related fields.
She encourages other coaches, mentors, and leaders to recognize that NSM provides a nurturing space for continued learning, regardless of their existing knowledge level. The course's strength lies in its ability to synthesize complex information into practical tools while maintaining genuine care for participants.
Hedda particularly values the collaborative aspect of learning alongside others and the quality of instruction that balances professionalism with authenticity—a combination she found inspiring for her own teaching and business practices.
Hedda Pahlson-Moller is an entrepreneur, impact investor, adjunct professor, and forester who runs TIIME.org. She believes deeply that inner work is fundamental to creating positive change in the world.