On this week’s podcast, I had the fascinating opportunity to speak with Dr. Justin Kennedy, a TED speaker, neuro practitioner, and executive coach who specializes in applied neuroscience and neuroplasticity. Our conversation delved into the power of neuroplasticity and how we can harness it to overcome life’s challenges and unlock our full potential.
Rewiring the Brain: A Personal Journey
When I asked Sabrina about getting unstuck, she shared her powerful story of escaping an abusive, narcissisticDr. Kennedy shared his powerful personal story of recovering from a severe brain injury, which led him to explore the field of neuroplasticity. His experience of learning to walk, talk, and think again after a coma became the foundation for his work in helping others rewire their brains for better performance and well-being.
The Power of Awe in Personal Growth
When discussing strategies for getting unstuck, Dr. Kennedy emphasized the importance of cultivating a sense of awe. He shared how experiences in nature, like witnessing a breathtaking rainbow, can provide spiritual moments that inspire and rejuvenate us. This practice of finding awe in our surroundings can be a powerful tool for personal growth and resilience.
Navigating the Subconscious and Unconscious Mind
We explored the fascinating interplay between our conscious, subconscious, and unconscious minds. Dr. Kennedy used the analogy of a mouse sitting on an elephant’s back to illustrate how much of our behavior is driven by subconscious processes. Understanding this relationship can help us make more intentional choices and overcome ingrained patterns.
Building Resilience Through Neuroplasticity
Dr. Kennedy shared insights on how we can build resilience by developing the ability to “notice what we don’t usually notice.” This practice helps us make more intelligent choices and move from merely surviving to truly thriving. He also emphasized the importance of holistic well-being, including healthy sleep, regular exercise, emotional intelligence, and social hygiene.
Key Takeaways
My conversation with Dr. Kennedy highlighted several valuable lessons for leveraging neuroplasticity in our personal growth:
- Cultivate a sense of awe through experiences in nature or other spiritual practices
- Recognize that your brain can change and adapt throughout life
- Develop the ability to notice what you don’t usually notice to make better choices
- Focus on holistic well-being, including physical, emotional, and social health
- Consider developing a spiritual practice to increase resilience and ability to deal with challenges
The overarching message is that by understanding and harnessing the power of neuroplasticity, we can transform our lives, overcome challenges, and unlock our full potential. Remember, your brain is constantly changing – why not direct that change intentionally towards growth and fulfillment? I’m excited to see how you’ll apply these insights to rewire your own brain for success!
Learn more about Dr. Justin Kennedy
Meet Dr. JJ Kennedy, a TED Speaker, Neuroplastician, and coach. As a professor, JJ serves as a Ph.D. coach and supervisor at several academic institutes. As a scholar in behavioural neuroscience, he is co-founder of ION—The Institute of Organisational Neuroscience, which encourages academic research. He focuses on the fields of Applied Neuroplasticity and Coaching toward standardizing the practices at neuroplasticians.com and helps coaches and consultants to register for their ideal Ph.D. as he started an initiative for professionals to discuss applied neuroscience in a managed space called the npnHub.com.
