Healthy Brain, Happy Life

A Personal Program to Activate Your Brain and Do Everything Better

By: Wendy Suzuki, Billie Fitzpatrick

Narrated by: Wendy Suzuki

A neuroscientist transforms the way we think about our brain, our health, and our personal happiness in this clear, informative, and inspiring guide—a blend of personal memoir, science narrative, and immediately useful takeaways that bring the human brain into focus as never before, revealing the powerful connection between exercise, learning, memory, and cognitive abilities.

Nearing forty, Dr. Wendy Suzuki was at the pinnacle of her career. An award-winning university professor and world-renowned neuroscientist, she had tenure, her own successful research lab, prestigious awards, and international renown.

That’s when to celebrate her birthday, she booked an adventure trip that forced her to wake up to a startling reality: despite her professional success, she was overweight, lonely, and tired and knew that her life had to change. Wendy started simply—by going to an exercise class. Eventually, she noticed an improvement in her memory, her energy levels, and her ability to work quickly and move from task to task easily. Not only did Wendy begin to get fit, but she also became sharper, had more energy, and her memory improved. Being a neuroscientist, she wanted to know why.

What she learned transformed her body and her life. Now, it can transform yours.

Wendy discovered that there is a biological connection between exercise, mindfulness, and action. With exercise, your body feels more alive and your brain actually performs better. Yes—you can make yourself smarter. In this fascinating book, Suzuki makes neuroscience easy to understand, interweaving her personal story with groundbreaking research, and offering practical, short exercises—4 minute Brain Hacks—to engage your mind and improve your memory, your ability to learn new skills, and function more efficiently.

Taking us on an amazing journey inside the brain as never before, Suzuki helps us unlock the keys to neuroplasticity that can change our brains, or bodies, and, ultimately, our lives.

Technical too technical and story too anecdotal

From the title, I thought I'd get an individualized program based on research, but the book was about how exercise and meditation slowly changed a fat jerk into a fit and happier person.

The technical information seemed to be mostly about which parts of the brain were activate when. Without illustrations (at least in the audio version) I couldn't follow which specific parts of the brain were which (and I've taken physiology.)

The proof reading was good, and I did listen to the whole story, but I didn't find the useful information about healthy brains very dense.

Really enjoyed the book

I enjoyed the book; as a scientist and couch potato, I found the book informative.

Loved this book!!!

I’m not one to write reviews so this will be short, from the beginning of the book when I heard the authors voice, Susie Suzuki and how she spoke with enthusiasm and how she was from Sunnyvale , California right down the street from me, also we are the same age and wondered if we knew each other but realize we probably didn’t, wish I could meet her. Her book was captivating. I learned so much. I’ve always been interested in the brain! The story of her life and how she grew from different stages was so interesting to me. it was well written, and I loved especially the parts of her exercising, Meditation, love of food, romantic relationships, and friendships. I’m going to listen to it a second time! Thank you, Susie! Bravo! 🙌🏻

Great for understanding concepts

Great book for basic understanding of ideas and some practical techniques. Enjoyable and informative, not a self help guide style of book.

Create the Best You Possible

Dr. Wendy Suzuki, a neuroscientist creates a blueprint of a energetic and zesty life. She uses herself as the “lab rat” and her honesty shines a light straight to the heart. This book helped me reboot my life. Thank you!