In the first of 3 conversations with Harvard Professor John Ratey, a neuropsychiatrist and ADHD expert, Friederike sits down with him to discuss his book 'Spark' and the significant impact of exercise on brain health. John shares the importance that physical activity has in his life with his personal exercise routine as well as how regular exercise enhances mood, cognitive function, and protects against diseases like Alzheimer's. He explains the success of a revolutionary school PE program in Naperville, Illinois, where a focus on wellness and fitness improved students' academic performance dramatically without any extra studying or homework. They discuss the importance of making physical education inclusive and enjoyable for all students and the broader implications of fitness for cognitive and overall health. Friederike and John share their thoughts on using your own personal best as the main metric for tracking progress and long term success, rather than comparing yourself to others. 

00:00 Introduction 00:48 The Benefits of Exercise on the Brain 02:38 Naperville's Revolutionary PE Program 07:12 Making Exercise Accessible To All 10:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

 

John Ratey (https://www.johnratey.com/)  is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 12 books published in 20 languages. With the publication of his bestseller, "Spark-The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," Dr. Ratey established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection in areas such as ADHD, Autism, Aging and Cognition.

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