🧠 Let's Talk Brain Health!

Mind: Krystal is a Doctor of Behavioral Health with a background in the behavioral sciences (psychology of aging, gerontology, and sociology). She is a Senior Atlantic Fellow with the Global Brain Health Institute, where she was the first scholar from the United States to complete her residency training at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, on dementia prevention and the social determinants of brain health. She has an unwavering commitment to promote brain health equity to individuals of all ages and the communities she serves through her various projects, work, advocacy, and volunteerism.

Body: Krystal is currently prioritizing the restfulness aspects of her brain wellness. For years she has worked to manage her own neurological health issues, which impact her sleep. She is also exploring different types of meditation and striving to make this a daily practice. (Drumming is currently her favorite, but she prefers this experience with a group! Or she likes to invite others to experience a sound bath with her, as this is a new experience to many.) She's been a lifelong 'walker' and luckily gets the miles in with her ready-to-go walking companions (the 5 dogs are willing to help), and she is known to take many meetings on her walking pad- it all 'adds up throughout the day! In the evening, she enjoys the stroll around the neighborhood, taking in the nature views and chatting with the neighbors.

Heart: Krystal can typically be found curled up reading a good, non-fiction book (likely related to the brain) with her weighted dog blankets (usually multiple dogs are involved). Her adorable, fun, witty nieces and nephews make her heart smile along with her handsome husband, Jake.

Mind: Heather earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida State University, where she met her husband and where her oldest daughter now attends. She is the founder of Brain Health Mentors, a brain health speaker and educator, and co-host of the Neuro Nook, a virtual brain health book club that brings together leading authors, researchers, and experts in brain health and wellness. Drawing on 26 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist and her work as a brain health coach, Heather translates research into practical, everyday choices that help people and organizations discover the joy that comes from the art of living a brain-healthy life.

Body: Heather has never considered herself “athletic,” but she has learned that trying new ways to move can be fun. Weight training and walking her furry son, Krewe, help her move her body and calm her mind; tennis and pickleball have helped her build not only hand-eye coordination, but, even more importantly, new friendships; and yoga gives her time to be mindful, slow down, and reduce stress. For Heather, movement is about finding enjoyable ways to support her body, brain, and overall well-being.

Heart: Heather loves traveling and discovering new places with her family, and they recently celebrated a very special family goal: visiting all 50 states! She also loves getting lost in a good book, exploring somewhere new—whether close to home or far away—and meeting friends at a local coffee shop. But Heather’s heart is at the beach, the place that most rejuvenates her soul. Some of her greatest joys come from helping others and spending meaningful time with family and friends

Mind: Jon grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. He graduated from the Emory University School of Medicine and completed Adult Neurology training at UNC-Chapel Hill before doing advanced training in Neurophysiology at the University of Virginia and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Body: Jon is a multi-decade advocate for health and wellness topics and “runs the run.” He has been running and training year around for 22 years and completed multiple Boston marathons and numerous ultra-marathons. He still runs 50 miles per week. When he’s not running, eating, sleeping, or working, he walks his 10-year-old rescue dog, Sophie.

Heart: Jon met his partner when she was at Duke Medical School and they moved to the San Francisco Bay Area just over 20 years ago to join the Permanente Medical Group. He recently co-developed a Brain Health Program at Renown Health. He is part of a core team of clinicians, experts, and advocates creating a state-wide Memory Network to serve the Nevada community better.

Mind: LeAnne has a master’s degree in education with a focus on health education. She is also a trained facilitator for the evidence-based Savvy Caregiver Program. She has first-hand caregiver experience with her live-in aging parents, helping them to maintain their quality of life despite complex health care needs. She is passionate about educating the community in practical ways they can learn to support their brain health and wellness.

Body: LeAnne walks three miles every morning with a friend. She is also trying to develop a consistent yoga and meditation practice – but this is a work in progress!

Heart: LeAnne loves to read (several different genres) and binge watch television series online (medical, law or family dramas). She and her husband Ron are avid soccer fans, having followed their two adult sons through all levels of youth, high school, and college soccer. Her older son is a local high school assistant soccer coach and her younger son is a professional soccer player – so the journey continues.