In this episode of Expert In You, Ann Carden sits down with Dr. Irena O'Brien to explore her fascinating journey from CPA to cognitive neuroscientist 🧠. Dr. O'Brien shares insights on coaching analytical professionals, unlocking client potential through dreams and desires, and leveraging the mind-body connection for peak performance. They discuss strategies for personal and professional growth, the power of small gains, and transforming sales success through belief shifts and cognitive optimization 📈. Dr. O'Brien also debunks the 10,000-hour rule and reveals how exercise boosts productivity 🏃‍♀️. The episode wraps up with practical insights on brain plasticity and strategies for lasting success. 🎧 Tune in now for neuroscience-backed techniques to elevate your business and life!

Dr. Irena O’Brien is a cognitive neuroscientist with nearly 30 years of expertise in psychology and neuroscience. After a successful career as a chartered accountant, she pursued her passion, earning a PhD in Psychology from the Université du Québec à Montréal. She conducted brain imaging and electrophysiological studies and later expanded her expertise through a postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University's Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain.

💡 Founder of The Neuroscience School

Dr. Irena is the visionary behind The Neuroscience School, an innovative program that equips coaches and health professionals with accessible, evidence-based tools to apply neuroscience in their work. She is on a mission to debunk misinformation in the media and simplify neuroscience for practical use.

🧠 Passion for Brain Health & Aging

She has a deep interest in how lifestyle choices impact brain health, mood, and cognition as we age. Believing that a healthy mind requires a healthy body, Dr. Irena empowers individuals to improve their own lives—and those of their clients—by applying practical neuroscience strategies.

📩 Connect with Dr. Irena:

🌐 Website: https://neuroscienceschool.com/

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenaobrien/

(0:00) Introduction and welcome to Dr. Irena O'Brien

(1:14) Dr. O'Brien's journey from CPA to cognitive neuroscientist

(5:49) Overcoming challenges in coaching analytical professionals

(9:37) Unlocking client potential by tapping into dreams and desires

(14:16) Sponsor: Expert in You Magazine

(15:27) Exploring the mind-body connection in performance

(20:23) Strategies for effective personal and professional shifts

(22:41) Embracing small steps and the power of incremental gains

(24:25) Transforming sales success through belief change

(26:38) Consistency and cognitive optimization in business

(27:35) Debunking the ten thousand hour rule

(29:17) Exercise, productivity, and cognitive health for entrepreneurs

(31:40) The science of brain plasticity and embracing change

(32:47) Contact details for Dr. Irena O'Brien

(33:20) Podcast closing and listener engagement