This CEO prioritizes daily habits that improve brain health. Here are some of his favorite moves

William of England
By William of England 6 Min Read

Mark Brooks is the co-founder and co-CEO of Brain foods, a company dedicated to supporting brain development, performance and health for the whole family. A father of three, Brooks is passionate about the role of food and nutrition in enabling children to reach their full potential.

Coffee or tea? And what do you put in it?I was born in England, now I love it here in the US, so it must be both. Coffee in the morning, double espresso, dash of steamed milk; English tea in the afternoon, a splash of whole milk in a large comforting mug.

What’s your favorite breakfast?On the weekends, we get fresh eggs from my nine-year-old’s chicken coop (we caved during the pandemic), scramble them in a skillet with smoked salmon chunks, mini broccoli florets, avocado, onions, garlic, and sourdough toast. It’s super tasty and full of brain-boosting nutrients. To make sure the breakfast is balanced we follow up with waffles and bourbon maple syrup!

Tell us about your workout routine.We live at the foot of Mount Tamalpais, up a steep, winding road. As a family, we have started walking and walking back every day during the pandemic. It’s no longer everyday, but it’s still the best exercise: outdoors, intense, and just a way to get home!

How many hours do you sleep in a typical night?Knowing how important sleep is to the long-term health and well-being of our brains, I try to get 8 hours a night. It doesn’t always happen, but putting the phone across the room, out of range, has increased the chances.

How do you relax?With three children aged 6, 9 and 11, creating balance and space is key. By working more from home there is less separation between the stress of the day and showing up fully present as a dad. Jump right into being creative work for me. Cooking for the family is a big transition. Having fun with the flavor, colors, and texture gives me great joy when they love it, less so when our six-year-old negotiates how many veggies are needed to earn dessert.

According to your phone, what is your average daily screen time for the past week?4 hours 10 minutes. I feel he undervalues ​​our relationship! While I’m mindful of putting it down and being in the moment, let’s be honest: It’s a wonderful way to stay in touch with loved ones, to chat silly with friends scattered all over the world, to nurture a community without borders.

Which app do you use the most?It’s probably a close race between Apple’s Mail app and FaceTime. I’d love to say it’s my go-to app for listening to great podcasts while tracking my health vitals during my HIIT workout, but no, I like to chat.

When was the last time you took a day off? What have you done?Does taking a morning off count? Went to a favorite breakfast spot for my wife’s birthday, no kids, sat outside with a mimosa and coffee. That was nice.

What is one thing your company is doing to prioritize employee well-being?As a company focused on brain health and wellness, we know that sleep, exercise and nutrition are critical factors in the development, performance and long-term health of our brains. We understand the destructive nature of stress and the mitigating benefit of creating balance. We are determined to support flexible working arrangements and have hired incredible talent wherever it may be. We empower people to manage their commitments in their own way, to truly focus on results not inputs.

What’s your favorite candy?I’m lucky we make a lot of tasty snacks so I indulge for a living. My favorite surprise is ours Chocolate Almond Brain Butter. It’s super indulgent, yet packed with Omega-3s, choline, and is made with almonds. It is an all-round chocolate goodness.

Do you have an intention or goal for 2023?I am aware that children are of a very special age, they delight in the world they are discovering, this year we are intent on creating more opportunities for them to share their discovery and lifting their horizons, weekend explorations of the coast, national parks we haven’t visited, and at the same time racing towards the opportunities and challenges that 2023 will no doubt offer.

What’s your favorite wellness product?One practice that has always seemed out of reach to me is meditation, especially quieting the mind. I recently tried The Muse brainwave headband, and it works. They’ve gamified meditation in a way that overcomes the embarrassment and unlocks the benefits, even making it a bit competitive.

Show us a picture of your happy place.

“Home is where my happiness is.” Courtesy of Mark Brooks

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