Professional Development

Stop Hospitality Burnout: Industrial-Strength Mental Training to Forge Your Mind & Protect Your Passion.

The S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol is tactical mental performance training that gives you the specific drills to stop the spiral, master stress under fire, and get your life back.

Developed by a 30-year veteran chef with a Ph.D., Ashenra provides industrial-strength mental training to solve hospitality's burnout crisis. This is a science-backed protocol—not 'wellness fluff'—designed to protect your passion and build a sustainable career.

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Mental Health in the Hospitality Industry is in Crisis

If you are a chef, line cook, server, bartender, host, hospitality owner, or restaurant operator, you know the pressure.

The relentless noise, the heat of the line, and the chaos of a packed house all conspire to dull your most critical tool. You spend time and money keeping your knives perfectly honed, but what about the instrument that truly runs the show?

Your mind is your sharpest blade, and in this industry, it requires constant maintenance to stay precise, resilient, and ready for service.

When things get hectic, and every shift feels like a 6-alarm fire, “toughing it out” is not a strategy—it is a recipe for burnout.

Before I dive into the solution, it’s critical to understand the scale of the crisis our industry faces.

The High Cost of Burnout: An Operational Crisis in Hospitality

The 'Tough It Out' Lie: Why Your Career is Redlining

Burnout isn't a badge of honor; it is an operational crisis. For too long, we have accepted anxiety, addiction, and chronic exhaustion as just "part of the job."

The “tough it out” mindset is a lie, and it is fueling a six-alarm fire that threatens every kitchen, dining room, and bank account in this industry.

This is not a personal weakness—it is systemic damage caused by relentless pressure and a culture that demands perfection but ignores maintenance.

Whether you run the pass or sign the checks, the cost is undeniable: we are burning out our best people until they break, bleeding talent faster than we can train it.
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The S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol: A Blueprint for Resilience

Protect Your Passion from Burnout

The S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol: Industrial-Strength Mental Training for Hospitality Professionals.

This is not “wellness fluff. This represents a tactical upgrade in human capacity.

As a 30-year industry veteran with a Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine and a Neuroscience Certification from Harvard, I created the S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol to provide an industrial-strength solution to a hospitality industry-wide challenge.

The 5 Pillars of Unshakable Composure

This protocol was forged at the intersection of the kitchen and the lab by an expert who has lived the grind and done the research.

  • S

    Steady Your Focus.

    Stop costly mistakes during the rush. This drill trains your attention to be as sharp and reliable as your best Japanese steel.

  • H

    Hold Thoughts Lightly

    Ever had a rude customer or a bad service ruin your entire night? Learn the 'hot pan' technique to acknowledge a toxic thought without letting it burn you so that you can reset in seconds, not hours.

  • A

    Assess Your Body

    Your body has a dashboard of warning lights before you redline into burnout. Learn to read them, so you can prevent systemic breakdown before it costs you a week of work.

  • R

    Recognize Patterns.

    Get out of the weeds in your own head. This is how you become the expediter of your mind, identifying the mental loops that drive anxiety and breaking the cycle before it takes hold.

  • P

    Project Kindness.

    Stop being an 'empathy sponge' that absorbs your entire crew's stress. Become a 'compassion powerhouse' who can support your team without draining your own battery.
Train with Dr. A. and Master your mental mise en place.

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Chef | Scientist | Assistant Professor | Program Director | 

Dr. Werner Absenger ("drA")

Creator of the S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol

Forged on the Line, Proven in the Lab: Meet Your Instructor

I am a chef, scientist, and educator dedicated to transforming the mental health of hospitality professionals through evidence-based strategies and personal experience. As founder of Ashenra and an expert in mind-body medicine, I bridge culinary expertise with cutting-edge research to help you thrive.

To understand why I do this work, you have to understand where I came from.

My path wasn’t an accident. It was a deliberate journey from the high-pressure world of professional kitchens to the precise environment of the research lab.

This transition wasn’t born out of boredom; it was born out of necessity—and a promise.

I am not a consultant with a clipboard…

I have stood where you stand. I know the 60+ hour weeks, the adrenaline of the rush, and the crash that follows.

For over 30 years, I worked in restaurants, hotels, and resorts across Europe and the United States, witnessing firsthand how the industry’s “tough it out” culture burns through its most valuable asset: its employees.

I grew tired of watching brilliant colleagues burn out, wash out, or numb themselves with alcohol or illicit drugs to get through another shift. And worse, die by suicide.

But the event that finally pushed me to trade my knife kit for a lab coat didn’t happen in a kitchen.

The pivot point: A promise at a graveside…

In 1999, my father passed away after a brutal battle with esophageal cancer.

After watching his demise, helpless and separated by the Atlantic Ocean, standing at his grave, I made a promise: his suffering would not be in vain.

That moment became the catalyst for a new mission. I began trading my knife kit for a lab coat and committed myself to decoding the neuroscience of stress and resilience, determined to find a better way.

The result: The S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol. I fused the discipline of the kitchen with the science of the brain to create an industrial-strength protocol for the colleagues I will eventually leave behind.

This is not vague theory; it is a set of tactical drills built on peer-reviewed research, designed to work when the pressure is on.

Expertise you can rely on...

This protocol is built on industry expertise, a rigorous foundation of formal education, peer-reviewed research, and over a decade of university-level teaching.

Formal Education.

  • Recognized Expertise: Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine, M.S. in Human Nutrition, and a Neuroscience Certification from Harvard University (HarvardX).

  • Proven Educator: Program Director at the Secchia Institute of Culinary Education (GRCC), translating complex science for the next generation of hospitality leaders.

  • Boundary-Pushing Innovator: My work coaching NASA HUNCH teams to develop food solutions for space travel proves a core belief: if we can solve stress and waste problems for astronauts, we can solve mental health and burnout for hospitality professionals.

Recognition & Leadership

  • Excellence in Education Award: Presented by Grand Rapids Community College for curriculum restructuring and community impact.

  • Explore Hospitality Council: Board member dedicated to elevating West Michigan hospitality careers.

  • West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative: Member of the Maximize the Economic Potential of New Americans, Immigrants, and Refugees group.

  • American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM): Doctoral Membership Level

Are you ready to leverage real science and hard-earned experience to transform how you lead, live, and thrive in the hospitality industry?

Train with Dr. A. and Master your mental mise en place.

Join the Founding Brigade.

Lock in your lifetime rate before Class 001 closes permanently. Enter your email to get priority access.
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The Curriculum: 8 Modules to Bulletproof Your Career

Course features
  • Author: Dr. Werner Absenger ("drA")
  • Course level: Introductory
  • Open to all: BOH & FOH
  • 8 Learning Modules
  • Weekly 1-2 hours
  • Daily drill: 12min.
  • Course length: 6 weeks
  • Badge & Proof of Completion
  • Weekly live practice with drA
  • Monthly Live Q&As with drA
  • 100% self-paced online program designed for the time-strapped professional.
The S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol is the specific, structured, no-nonsense solution to this crisis. It is not a passive lecture series where you are told to “just relax.”

The protocol is science-backed mental performance training for hospitality professionals, with drills designed to forge unshakeable composure, keeping you creative, consistent, and cool under fire.

The Mental Mise en Place (Modules 1 & 2)

M1

Module 01: The Pre-Shift Briefing: Rules of Engagement. 
Set your station for success by mastering the platform, scheduling your drills, and understanding the core safety protocols for this deep work.

M2

Module 02: Laying the Groundwork: Rewire Your Default Settings.
Before sharpening the knife, understand the steel. This module delivers the essential neuroscience of neuroplasticity, proving that you have the power to change your brain.

The Core S.H.A.R.P. Protocol (Modules 03–07)

S

Module 03: S — Steady Your Focus:
This drill trains your attention to be as sharp and reliable as your best Japanese steel, helping you stay focused and steady, even in chaos. By staying present, you can keep stress and anxiety at bay.

H

Module 04: H — Hold Thoughts Lightly:
Stop the spiral before it starts. Master the "hot pan" technique of cognitive defusion to stop a bad moment from turning into a ruined shift. Detach from the internal narratives that drive anxiety.

A

Module 05: A — Assess Your Body: 
Read your internal dashboard to develop interoceptive awareness and recognize your body’s earliest stress signals. So you can intervene before you reach complete physical and emotional exhaustion.

R

Module 06: R — Recognize Patterns:
Be the expediter of your own mind so you can step out of the weeds and get a clear view of the pass. This module helps you break the mental loops that fuel stress and anxiety. Like replaying a guest’s harsh words in your head. Learn to stop stress from snowballing so you can stay present and get back to enjoying the craft.

P

Module 07: P — Project Kindness:
Lead without draining your battery and learn the critical neurological difference between empathy and compassion. So you can support your team without absorbing their stress and burning out. Knowing this distinction also empowers you to lead with clearer boundaries and greater emotional intelligence and resilience.

Breakdown: The Debrief (Module 8)

M8

Module 08: The Post-Shift Debrief: Protocol Maintenance.
The course is over, but service never ends. This module provides your maintenance plan, troubleshooting for when you fall off track, and entry into the alumni community for ongoing support.
This curriculum gives you the tools. The following offer gives you the exclusive opportunity to master them.
Class 001 is the Opening Team. Complete the protocol to earn the Founding Brigade Insignia—a permanent mark of your status as one of the first to master mental mise en place.

This stitched uniform patch and digital certificate are reserved exclusively for the first 100 professionals who successfully complete the protocol and help set the standard for the future of the hospitality industry.

Join The Founding Brigade Class 001

Every Great Restaurant Starts with an "Opening Team." This is your invitation to participate in the soft launch of the S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol.

This is not a simple purchase; it is an exclusive invitation to join the “Opening Team.”

As a member of the Founding Brigade, you will help set the standard for everyone who follows, gaining access to this protocol as long as we are in business, at a price that will never be offered publicly again.

The mission: You know the energy of an opening team. We test recipes, refine station layouts, and set the standard for everyone who follows. That is what we are doing here.

I am seeking committed operators, chefs, managers, and front-of-the-house pros to help fine-tune this mental performance training for a broader audience. The "recipes" (the science and drills) are dialed in. Now, your feedback will help test the "service"—the online platform and its flow.
Why Join the Founding Brigade?
  • Lock in the rate: Secure lifetime access for a one-time "Founding Member" price that will never be offered publicly again.
  • Shape the training: Your feedback will directly influence how we teach mental resilience to the next generation of hospitality talent.
  • No fluff: You receive the full-strength tools without the polish of a mass-market launch—and you pay only a fraction of the price.
Train with Dr. A. and Master your mental mise en place.

Claim Your Spot in the Founding Brigade Now.

Lock in your lifetime rate before Class 001 closes permanently. Enter your email to get priority access.
Thank you!
No credit card required to secure your priority access. 100% Risk-Free. No obligation to buy.

What My Students Say

With over 280 credit hours of higher education completed, I can confidently say that Dr. A is one of the best professors I have ever worked with. His passion, enthusiasm, attention to detail, and genuine consideration are evident in every interaction he has with his students. He has an inherent ability to take complex subjects and explain them in ways that are easy to understand and applicable in real-world scenarios. He is truly inspiring and I look forward to more opportunities to learn from such an incredible instructor.
Bobbi Becker, MS, MPS, CPT 
Graduate Student in the Integrative and Functional Nutrition (IFN) program at Saybrook University and "Animal Nutritionist"
Since taking the Stress Management Course, one thing I am finding myself doing a whole lot differently, is immersing myself entirely and willingly into each moment I am in. During the Fall Semester of 2025, I got to experience this growth and change live, and in practical applications in the courses I was taking. One example would have to be when I would show up early to school, and find myself doing pre-class grounding exercises, and meditations. It was interesting, because sometimes that would consist of doing other things, like push ups, or guided meditations in my vehicle, or just shaking myself loose to wake up for the day, but as long as I did it with clear and positive intent, I found myself capable of handling stress, and uncertainty significantly easier.
Chef Danny Alvarez 
Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, CA 170 Stress Management Course Student, Aspiring Chef, and MMA Athlete.
As a chef, I may be slightly biased, but I also appreciated how Dr. A honored culinary intelligence as a legitimate and valuable way of understanding science. ... After years in the kitchen, including returning to line work recently for financial reasons, I have experienced significant burnout that has taken a toll on my mental health. The overall program at Saybrook has helped me see new possibilities for applying my skills in more sustainable, healing, and educational ways, both for others and for myself.  For these reasons, I believe Dr. A’s teaching and work are incredibly valuable for students seeking meaningful, interdisciplinary careers.
Chef Antoinette "Toni" Hicks
Graduate Student in the Integrative and Functional Nutrition (IFN) program at Saybrook University
Good people create good food, great leaders uplift those who strive to put out this good food, and this course offered the tools for me to build characteristics I’ve seen in some of the greatest leaders. I have seen great leaders who have stayed SHARP through the years, not folding under the pressure of the hospitality industry. This future for young chefs having this more cool-minded experience is something I truly believe in, and this course instilled this in me more solidly and made me a more confident leader. If I’ve learned anything, it's to STAY SHARP!
Chef Miguel Hinmon 
Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, CA 170 Stress Management Course Student and Aspiring Chef
One of my biggest “aha” moments in Biochemistry was realizing how clearly complex biochemical concepts can be understood when they’re explained through real-life applications. Since taking the course, I approach metabolism and physiology with a much more integrated, systems-based way of thinking. What truly stood out to me was drA's teaching style. His constant engagement, open-ended questions, and weekly emails filled with visuals and videos made learning fast, enjoyable, and memorable. I would absolutely recommend that other students take a course with drA, because he made a subject that is often seen as intimidating feel accessible, fun, and deeply informative.
Nour Danno, Author of "Vegan with Nour"
Graduate Student in the Integrative and Functional Nutrition (IFN) program at Saybrook University
From THE PASS: CURATED BY DR. WERNER ABSENGER

Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Resilience in the Hospitality Industry

Pre-Meal Briefing: Essential Prep and Safety Notes Before You Dive In
Your mental mise en place. Cut through the hype. Get straight answers on what this training can do, and understand the necessary precautions to practice safely.

Q: I work 60+ hours a week. I don't have time for a course.

A: I built this specifically for the 60-hour work week. This is not a lecture series; it is a tactical drill.

The protocol requires just 12 minutes a day. While you will apply the techniques while commuting or prepping your station, the protocol demands 12 minutes of focused, intentional practice to lock it in.

If you have time to doom-scroll after your shift, you have time to upgrade your operating system.

Q: Is this just meditation? I don't do "spiritual" stuff.

A: You do not need to be spiritual to do this work. While the blueprint for these drills comes from a 2,500-year-old Buddhist tradition in training the mind, the application is strictly high-performance.

I personally attend annual silent retreats at a Buddhist monastery and commit to at least 35 minutes of intentional practice every day because it keeps me sharp.

Within this protocol, I apply neuroscience to explain why these practices work. These principles are now standard for elite performers. Dr. Amishi Jha’s research with the U.S. Military has shown that these specific mindfulness drills prevent attention lapses under fire. If this training works for soldiers in combat, imagine what it can do for you in the high-pressure environment of the hospitality industry.

But make no mistake: you have to do the work. 

Q: Will this make me soft or cause me to lose my edge?

A: Absolutely not. Reactivity is not strength—it’s an energy leak.

A chef who explodes over a mistake has lost control; a chef who assesses, corrects, and moves on without breaking rhythm is unstoppable.

The S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol is designed to make your execution tighter and faster—not less. You keep the edge; you lose the drag.

Q: Is this for chefs or front-of-house staff?

A: It is for anyone working in a high-pressure hospitality environment.

Whether you are dealing with a ticket printer that won’t stop or a guest who is being abusive, the biological stress response is identical.

This protocol works for anyone in a high-performance hospitality role who needs to stay cool under fire.

Q: What happens if I fall behind one week?

A: You have lifetime access to the materials, so the content isn't going anywhere—but neither are your stress levels if you don't do the work.

Neuroplasticity and behavioral changes rely on frequency, not intensity. Consistent, shorter daily sessions are far superior to sporadic "binge" practice. While you can catch up, the protocol is built on a daily rhythm.

My honest advice: Before you spend the money, make sure you are ready to prioritize daily practice.

While 12 minutes per day is the gold standard for maximum benefit, you can start with as little as 5 minutes a day if that's what your schedule allows.

Consistency matters most, and building up over time is far better than doing nothing at all.

If you can't commit to at least a brief daily drill, this training might not be for you right now.

Q: How soon will I see results?

A: There is no magic pill. Results correlate directly with the intensity and consistency of your practice.

Neuroscience indicates that measurable structural changes to the brain (neuroplasticity) typically require about eight weeks of consistent daily training.

However, behavioral shifts—like catching yourself before you react—often happen sooner.

We dive deeper into the research behind these timelines and the science of stress management in Ashenra’s Weekly Mental Health Briefing.

The bottom line: the more you drill, the faster the shift. Results are cumulative.

Q: Do I need to sit in a quiet room to do this?

A: Yes. This is what we call "Intentional Practice."

You cannot build a new neural pathway while you are getting crushed on the line. You need a controlled environment to drill the technique first.

Think of the 12 minutes of daily practice as your mise en place.

You prep your mind in the quiet so that when the chaos of service hits, the regulation techniques are ready to land.

You train in the silence so you can execute in the noise.

Q: Can I buy this for my whole team?

A: Yes. If you are a chef or GM looking to lower burnout and turnover in your brigade, contact us for team pricing.

Corporate pricing will be available once the course goes live.

A kitchen that speaks the same language of emotional regulation runs tighter, cleaner, and faster.

Q: Who is this training NOT for?

A: The S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol is not for those seeking quick fixes, passive “wellness” trends, or surface-level change.

If you are unwilling to put in the mental reps or expect results without effort, this training may not be the right fit.

It is designed for hospitality professionals who are serious about building resilience, improving mental performance, and transforming their work and personal lives.

Q: Can these practices have adverse side effects?

A: While often touted as a panacea for every ailment under the sun, meditation-related experiences can sometimes be distressing.

Documented adverse effects include increased anxiety, feelings of detachment (depersonalization), or the re-emergence of traumatic memories.

If you experience significant distress or "full-system failure" signals that do not resolve, you should pause the drills and consult a healthcare professional.

Q: I have a history of mental health challenges; can I still participate?

A: Intensive mindfulness can be contraindicated for individuals with certain conditions, including Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, or Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Without clinical monitoring, these practices may lead to a deterioration of symptoms; therefore, this protocol is not a substitute for traditional psychiatric or psychological treatment.

Q: Is there a medical disclaimer?

A: Yes. The S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol is a mental performance training program, not a clinical intervention.

It is not intended to replace standard psychiatric care, medication, or therapy.

Per best practices, this training excludes individuals currently experiencing suicidality or active psychiatric disorders unless under the direct supervision of a trained clinician.

Always check with your doctor before starting new mental or physical training regimens.

A Note on Safety & Suitability

The S.H.A.R.P. Mind Protocol is a mental performance training program, not a clinical intervention or therapy.

While generally safe, these practices can sometimes be distressing, especially for individuals with a history of trauma, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, and intensive mindfulness can be contraindicated for these conditions.

This protocol is not a substitute for professional psychiatric or psychological treatment. Please consult your doctor before beginning any new mental or physical training regimen.

As you can see, this is a serious mental performance training program that demands respect and careful consideration.

Last Call 

You’ve Seen the Menu. Now Order the Dish.

You have two choices: Keep grinding through the burnout, or spend 6 weeks building the resilience you deserve. The Founding Member rate will disappear soon. Limited to Class 001!
Thank you!
No credit card required to secure your priority access. 100% Risk-Free. No obligation to buy.
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