Small Shifts, Big Wins: Neuroscience-Based Strategies for Entrepreneurs with Dr. Irena O’Brien

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: Cognitive Neuroscientist & Founder of The Neuroscience School 🧠🔬
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