In the 37th episode of the Tiger Heart Chats podcast, our Sanj had the immense pleasure of speaking with Esen K. Tütüncü, a pioneering XR & Neuroscience Researcher, about her incredible transformation.Recorded on Wednesday the 14th May 2025, Esen shared how the focus and mental resilience she developed as a long-distance cyclist became the foundation for her ground-breaking work in neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Her story is a powerful reminder that the path to innovation isn't always linear — sometimes it starts with the push of a pedal and ends with unlocking the mysteries of the mind.It made us wonder:How many of our personal passions are actually preparing us for something far greater than we can imagine? Listen to the episode and let me know — what hidden skill or experience from your past is influencing your present in ways you never expected?Some of the topics raised include:ScienceDocumentariesLong Distance CyclingCovidInteractive ArtsVirtual RealityArtificial IntelligenceNeuroscienceAvatarsAgoraphobiaPublic SpeakingMetaverseNatallia Yaskevich - https://www.linkedin.com/in/natallia-yaskevich-5a9a7a5b/Soliman Lopez - https://solimanlopez.comCommon AI VerseBarbican - https://www.barbican.org.ukGenerative AISurrealismCubismCHI - https://chi2025.acm.orgMCP – https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introductionBlender - https://www.blender.orgPython - https://www.python.orgSonar - https://sonar.es/enMutek - https://montreal.mutek.orgMental healthHow we feel - https://howwefeel.orgPlaces:IstanbulWest AfricaAsiaJapanBarcelonaIstanbulSan FranciscoTorontoSahara DesertCasablancaLisbonGhanaSingaporeChinaTaiwanAdvice:Try not to use a headset for longer than an hour a day.Don’t let AI dominate your creative journey.Have critical thinking in everything you do.Accept that we have these tools but don’t let them take away the nuances of who you areLearning is a full body experience.Seek people that cultivate you.Use movement to elevate your mental health.Sometimes you feel like you are running out of time. But thought and depth into your process can help you.Have self-compassion in yourself.Esen K. Tütüncü Links:www.esenka.coSanj Surati & Tiger Heart:https://www.twitter.com/tigerhearttech/https://www.instagram.com/tigerhearttech/https://www.twitter.com/sanjsurati/https://www.instagram.com/artistryinsentiment/You can listen to the Podcast on the following links:Apple: https://tinyurl.com/9czdh6waSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2rPxsLD7DAVv7PdyrNrZBPAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mr2e2ybwDeezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/1048492Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/tiger-heart-chatsCastbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/id2779314Podcast Addict: https://podplayer.net/?podId=2855948Podchaser: https://tinyurl.com/k24bvvxyListen Notes: https://tinyurl.com/yaxbmc5xPodcast App: https://podcast.app/tiger-heart-chats-p1122224Don't forget to share:#tigerheartchats https://www.tigerheartlondon.com Tiger Heart is an innovation agency that specialises in emerging technologies set up by Digital Atelier Sanj Surati. Sanj is an award winning multi-disciplined Digital Atelier with over twenty years of experience within the music, fashion and luxury industries. London-based Sanj has been working within digital and technology since 1998. He has seen the cultural shift in human habit and behaviour as we all evolve into digital consumers. Some of his successes have been burgeoning, ground breaking and, more importantly, culturally relevant.