How To Build a Strong Mind: New Focus on Resilience

Introduction to the Podcast and Mission[

00:00] The Surgeon General says America is facing a mental health crisis. But there's hope. I'm Dr. Tracey Marks and I'm here to give you the tools not just to survive, but to thrive in the face of challenge. Six years ago, I started making mental health education videos on YouTube and my goal was to help you understand yourself better, navigate

[00:20] through life struggles and break the stigma surrounding mental health. And together we explored a ton and I'm proud of what we accomplished. But now it's time to take things to the next level. And don't worry, I'm not leaving YouTube and I'm not selling you a course. In 2022, the US Surgeon General released a report on the state

The State of Mental Health in America

[00:40] of mental health in the United States, and the findings were clear. Our collective mental health has declined, and this decline is seriously impacting our workplaces, our relationships, and our overall quality of life. The effects of COVID are still with us. The isolation, the fear, the trauma of losing loved ones

[01:00] ones and witnessing thousands of otherwise healthy people die, these experiences have left their mark. As a practicing psychiatrist and corporate mental health speaker, I see this impact in my work, both in clinical settings and in organizations striving to create psychologically safe work environments.

[01:20] That's why my new mission is to help you build resilience. Resilience is more than just bouncing back from hardships. It's about fortifying your mind and brain to withstand life stressors. And this applies to all of us, whether you're a business leader navigating through workplace challenges, an employee juggling work

[01:40] impersonal life, or a parent managing the demands of family. Building resilience means that even when you fall, you can rise and stand back up stronger. It's not a one-time achievement. It's an ongoing process that involves strengthening your mind and fortifying your brain. We strengthen our minds by improving

Understanding and Building Resilience

[02:00] how we think and regulate our emotions. This involves identifying and replacing negative self-talk, developing a growth mindset, and enhancing our emotional intelligence. For business leaders, this could mean building the emotional flexibility to handle team dynamics or navigate high pressure situations.

[02:20] For employees, it might involve cultivating the self-awareness needed to prevent burnout. No matter the context, this mental training lays the groundwork for a resilient mindset. But it's not just about our thoughts and emotions. We also need to care for the physical brain itself, optimizing factors like sleep, nutrition, and

[02:40] exercise play a central role in brain health. And these factors are the key to maintaining peak cognitive performance. We can even explore how certain medications and alternative treatments like psychedelics are changing our understanding of neuroplasticity, which is our brain's ability to rewire and adapt.

The Mind-Brain Connection and Mental Strength

[03:00] Combining these practices, strengthening your mind and fortifying your brain creates a powerful synergy that leads to a more resilient you. It's the mind-brain connection and action influencing how you feel about yourself and how you interface with the world around you. A lot of these topics might sound familiar if you've

[03:20] been with me for a while, but here's what's different. I'm focusing on a singular goal now, helping you build resilience. Every video will tie back to this theme. So whether we're discussing sleep, nutrition, or cognitive techniques, it's all about building a more resilient mind and brain. For business leaders,

[03:40] and HR professionals, these strategies can foster a more resilient, high-performing workplace. Now if you're asking yourself, what about all your videos on specific health conditions? Don't worry, those aren't going anywhere. If you're looking to understand what it means to have bipolar disorder, ADHD, depression, or any

[04:00] other condition, you can still find all those videos organized in playlists on my channel. I have over 300 videos that focus on defining and understanding disorders. You can consider those your foundation. And then when you're ready to take things to the next level, you can turn your attention to these new videos on building resilience.

Future Video Series and Learning Path

[04:20] To give you an idea of what's ahead, my first video series will be all about the mind-brain connection. We'll dive into how your thoughts can reshape your brain through a process called neuroplasticity. From there, we'll explore how sleep, nutrition, and exercise boost brain function and emotional resilience.

[04:40] Beyond that, I'll be covering modules like stress management, emotion regulation, and cognitive techniques. So whether you're leading a team at work, managing family responsibilities, or focusing on personal growth, these strategies can help you build resilience that not only improves your well-being, but also enhances your

[05:00] ability to navigate life's challenges. I won't reveal the whole roadmap just yet because I want the flexibility to adapt based on your feedback and questions, but you can expect topics that explore lifestyle changes, mental practices, and brain science in how they intersect to optimize your mental well-being. If you're excited to learn

Call to Action and Closing Thoughts

[05:20] how to build a more resilient mind and fortify your brain. Whether for your personal life or to bring into your work environment, make sure you subscribe to my channel and turn on notifications. Trust me, you don't want the algorithm to decide you'd rather watch baby cow videos instead of learning how to build resilience. But the baby cows are acute.

[05:40] I'm thrilled to go on this new journey with you, sharing strategies that apply to all areas of life, from the workplace to personal development. Thanks for watching today, and I'll see you in the next video.

[06:00] you