Eben Pagan explains the three brain types theory by Dr. Paul McClain - the reptilian brain (physical), mammalian brain (emotional), and human cortex (logical) - and how understanding which one dominates your thinking can help you identify your natural genius and business strengths. He breaks down how each type processes the world differently and provides a framework for identifying your primary, secondary, and shadow brain types.
The 3 Brain Types We All Have And Why They Are Important
How to Identify Your Primary Brain Type -- A self-assessment process to determine whether you're primarily physical, emotional, or logical
Virtual Coach Pre-Launch Free Resources
People tend to be oriented toward one brain type as their primary genius: physical geniuses excel at spatial awareness and hands-on activities, emotional geniuses tune into feelings and relationships, and logical geniuses manipulate abstract ideas with precision.
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Emotional-Logical Brain Types Excel in Coaching and Consulting
Primary emotional + secondary logical types excel as coaches, therapists, and consultants because they naturally care about others' emotional well-being while taking systematic, rational approaches to helping.
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When Your Three Brain Types Pull in Opposite Directions
The three brain types often conflict with each other, causing internal struggle when your physical drives, emotional convictions, and logical reasoning pull you in different directions.
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Logical-Emotional Thinkers Make Natural Philosophers and Teachers
Primary logical + secondary emotional types make excellent philosophers and teachers because they operate in idea space but are passionate about their concepts and can connect with others intellectually.
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Physical-Emotional Brain Type Combination for Healing Professions
Primary physical + secondary emotional types excel as doctors and healers because they understand physical cause-effect while being tuned into emotional well-being and patient care.
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How to Identify Your Primary Brain Type -- A self-assessment process to determine whether you're primarily physical, emotional, or logical
Virtual Coach Pre-Launch Free Resources
People tend to be oriented toward one brain type as their primary genius: physical geniuses excel at spatial awareness and hands-on activities, emotional geniuses tune into feelings and relationships, and logical geniuses manipulate abstract ideas with precision.
Reptilian Mammalian and Human Cortex — The Three Evolved Brains
Humans have three distinct brain systems that evolved sequentially: the reptilian brain for physical survival, the mammalian brain for emotions and bonding, and the human cortex for abstract thinking and logic.
Emotional-Logical Brain Types Excel in Coaching and Consulting
Primary emotional + secondary logical types excel as coaches, therapists, and consultants because they naturally care about others' emotional well-being while taking systematic, rational approaches to helping.
Scientist Brain Types Primary Secondary Shadow
Scientists typically operate as either primary physical + secondary logical or primary logical + secondary physical, which explains why science often appears disconnected from emotion and human connection.
Logical-Emotional Thinkers Make Natural Philosophers and Teachers
Primary logical + secondary emotional types make excellent philosophers and teachers because they operate in idea space but are passionate about their concepts and can connect with others intellectually.
Logical-Emotional Types and the Physical Shadow
People with logical-emotional combinations (either primary) tend to have physical as their shadow, making them disorganized in the real world and disconnected from their physical body and health.
Logical-Physical Brain Type Strengths
Primary logical + secondary physical types architect information and create ideas that work in the physical world, excelling at inventing in thought space while ensuring real-world functionality.
Emotional-Physical Brain Types as Natural Artists and Performers
Primary emotional + secondary physical types become natural artists and performers because art is about expressing emotion through physical mediums like acting, dancing, painting, or music.
When Your Three Brain Types Pull in Opposite Directions
The three brain types often conflict with each other, causing internal struggle when your physical drives, emotional convictions, and logical reasoning pull you in different directions.
Physical-Emotional Brain Type Combination for Healing Professions
Primary physical + secondary emotional types excel as doctors and healers because they understand physical cause-effect while being tuned into emotional well-being and patient care.
Six Brain Type Combinations Determine Natural Abilities
Everyone has a primary brain type, a secondary function, and a shadow or weakness, creating six possible combinations that determine optimal career paths and natural abilities.
How Each Brain Type Perceives the World
Physical geniuses are comfortable with hands-on activities, spatial awareness, and tend to be good drivers or athletes. Emotional geniuses are tuned into feelings - their own and others' - and naturally help people with emotional problems. Logical geniuses work comfortably with abstract ideas and complex problem-solving but may seem disconnected from emotions and physical reality.
Career Paths Matched to Brain Type Combinations
Primary physical + secondary emotional types make excellent doctors and healers. Primary emotional + secondary physical become artists and performers. Primary logical + secondary physical work as inventors and scientists. Primary logical + secondary emotional excel as teachers and philosophers. Primary emotional + secondary logical become coaches and therapists.
Shadow Brain Type — Your Achilles Heel
Your shadow brain type is your weakest area - the one of the three that you pay least attention to and struggle with most. Everyone has a primary type, secondary type, and shadow type. For example, logical-emotional combinations typically have physical as their shadow, making them disorganized and disconnected from their body.
Three Evolutionary Brains in One Skull
The three brain types are the reptilian brain (physical), mammalian brain (emotional), and human cortex (logical). The reptilian brain handles survival, fight-or-flight, and physical interaction. The mammalian brain processes emotions and social bonding. The human cortex deals with abstract ideas and rational thinking.
Three Brains Evolved Separately and Pull You in Different Directions
The three brain types evolved at different times for different purposes and don't naturally work together well. When your physical drives want one thing, your emotions feel another way, and your logic knows something different, you experience internal conflict as you're pulled in three directions simultaneously.
Leverage Brain Type Knowledge for Career Alignment
Knowing your brain type helps you choose the right career path and business model that aligns with your natural strengths. Instead of fighting against your nature, you can leverage your primary and secondary types while being aware of your shadow areas and working around them strategically.
Physical Drives Conflict with Emotional Conviction
when you have a physical drive, that often conflicts with your emotional conviction, and that often conflicts with what you know is right for you
Primary Secondary and Shadow Brain Functions
we have a primary function, a secondary function, and what we might call a shadow or our weakness, our Achilles heel
Brain Types — A Simple Model for Self-Understanding
I've found this to be one of the most valuable and kind of simple models for understanding myself and others
Humans Orient Toward One of Three Realms
humans tend to be oriented toward one of these three realms
We Have Three Brains in One
we have three brains in one
Brain Types and Business Success
How can understanding brain types improve my business success?
Give Yourself Permission to Rest After Accomplishments
Why do the three brain types create internal conflict?
The Three Brain Types and Their Functions
What are the three brain types and how do they work?
Which Careers Fit Which Brain Type Pairings
What careers match each brain type combination?
Identifying Your Dominant Brain Type
How do I know which brain type I am?
Understanding Your Shadow Brain Type
What is a shadow brain type?
Concepts
Questions
Canonical Teachings
Eben introduces Dr. Paul McClain's research showing humans evolved three distinct brain systems: the reptilian brain for physical survival, the mammalian brain for emotions and social bonding, and the human cortex for abstract thinking. These systems often conflict with each other, creating internal struggle when physical drives, emotional convictions, and logical reasoning pull in different directions.
Each person tends to be naturally oriented toward one of the three brain types as their primary genius. Physical geniuses excel at spatial awareness and hands-on activities, emotional geniuses tune into feelings and relationships, while logical geniuses manipulate abstract ideas with precision but may seem disconnected from emotions and physical reality.
Everyone operates with a primary brain type, secondary function, and shadow weakness. This creates six main combinations that determine optimal career paths: physical-emotional types make excellent healers, emotional-physical become artists, logical-physical work as inventors, while the reverse combinations create athletes, coaches, and scientists with different orientations.
Understanding your brain type combination helps you choose aligned career paths and business models rather than fighting your natural cognitive orientation. Your shadow area will always be your weakness, so the key is working around it strategically while maximizing your primary and secondary strengths.
Claim: “Internal conflict and struggle are just part of being human and should be accepted as normal”
Reframe: Internal conflict often stems from the three brain types pulling you in different directions, and understanding this can help you resolve the conflict systematically
Claim: “Everyone should try to be well-rounded and equally good at everything”
Reframe: People are naturally oriented toward one brain type as their genius, and success comes from identifying and leveraging your primary type rather than trying to be equally strong in all areas
Claim: “Your weaknesses need to be fixed and brought up to the same level as your strengths”
Reframe: Your shadow brain type will always be your weakness, and instead of fighting this, you should recognize it and work around it while maximizing your primary and secondary strengths
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3 “Genius Types” + How To Leverage Yours For Success
Discover which of the 3 genius types you are and how to use this knowledge to unlock your natural strengths and create more engaging content.
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Coaching Strategies
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Common Mistakes
