Ep269 – The Science + Story of Brain Health with Adina Maynard

Aging is something we all think about eventually, but what if we started thinking about it a little differently? Brain health, cognitive decline, and dementia are not simply issues we have to face when we get older—they are conversations we can begin having and actions we can begin taking much earlier. From staying socially connected to keeping our brains engaged, moving our bodies, getting quality sleep, and planning ahead, there are more things within our control than we may realize. And sometimes, the choices we make today can have a much bigger impact on the quality of our later years than we think.

In this episode of The Inside Story Podcast, I’m joined by my friend and client Adina Maynard, a former oncology nurse, entrepreneur, speaker, and creator of the brain game Cattywampus. Adina shares the deeply personal story of navigating her mother’s dementia and the lessons she has learned along the way about caregiving, brain health, aging well, and what we can do now to give ourselves—and the people we love—a better future.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What happens when the “call” you knew was coming finally comes
• The surprising difference between being a daughter and being a nurse
• Why loneliness may be more than an emotion—it could be a brain-health risk
• The everyday habits that can help keep your “noggin” sharp
• Why retirement shouldn’t mean retiring from your life
• The real reason Adina created Cattywampus—and what she means by “productive play”
• Why planning for the future isn’t pessimistic—it’s a love letter

If you’re part of my community, I hope this conversation gets you thinking about the people you love, the life you’re creating now, and the choices that could shape the years ahead. And if Adina’s story resonates with you, I encourage you to connect with her, explore her brain-health resources, and check out Cattywampus as another way to keep your brain engaged. Most of all, share this episode with someone who might need to hear it—because sometimes the stories we share today can help someone else make a different decision tomorrow.

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