Unlike “mental health” or “cognitive health” alone, brain health is an umbrella concept. It’s not just the absence of disease—it’s the presence of emotional balance, cognitive flexibility, and the capacity for neuroplasticity: the brain’s remarkable ability to rewire, recover, and grow stronger throughout life.

After fifteen years in the ER, here’s what I know for certain: none of us are ever safe from surprise. I no longer make assumptions about the future—especially when it comes to our most precious asset, our minds. And yet, the choices we make every day can bend the curve of our personal brain health trajectory.

Scientists are only beginning to understand this complex organ and the delicate balance it needs to thrive—particularly in the face of modern stressors. But one thing is already clear: caring for your brain has the power to transform every area of your life.

That’s why I call my approach Radical Brain Health—proactive, not just reactive. It’s shaped not only by science and my ER experience, but also by the hard-earned wisdom of survivors, who know what it means to rebuild after silence and suppression.

In this newsletter, I’ll share the science and stories that reveal the keys to optimal brain health—how to not only protect it, but strengthen it. My hope is that it helps you understand the fascinating breadth of what shapes the brain, and inspires you to cultivate it in a way that allows you not just to survive, but to thrive.