Cindy McDowell, MSc.
Talk 1: Boosting Brain Health and Performance
When was the last time you thought about boosting your brain health? Most of us prioritize strengthening our physical and mental health, and rarely consider the health of our most vital organ - our brain. Yet, the brain is the engine that drives our entire system, from our thoughts and emotions, to our movements and behaviours. Taking steps to care for your brain health is vital not only for enhancing overall health and wellbeing, but also for maintaining optimal performance including improved focus, productivity, and problem-solving abilities.
In this talk, you will learn about the essential elements of brain health and why they are critical for wellbeing, job performance, and longevity. Audience members will learn about specific, evidence-based lifestyle changes that can be implemented into their daily routine to start enhancing their own brain health and performance. Cindy’s talk goes beyond generic recommendations and breaks down the actual science behind how and why these lifestyle changes are so crucial for brain health and provides actionable tools to start increasing brain performance and longevity.
After this talk, attendees will be able to…
Understand critical components of brain health and functioning, and how each of these components can impact overall health and performance
Be knowledgeable about several specific lifestyle factors that can be modified to optimize brain health, as well as protect your brain against disease
Feel motivated and equipped to take a proactive approach in promoting your own brain health and wellness
Talk 2: Healthy Brain Aging and Dementia Prevention
These days, it seems that everyone is talking about how to look and feel young for as long as possible. What is less discussed, is specific steps to promote healthy aging and protect ourselves from dementia and premature brain changes including declines in memory, attention, and decision-making abilities. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find information regarding why these brain changes may occur in the first place, and how lifestyle behaviours can defend against these dementia-related changes. Learning about concrete, actionable steps to protect our brain health has never been more important. As the number of individuals diagnosed with dementia continues to increase worldwide, more and more individuals are seeking knowledge on how to promote healthy aging and maintain optimal brain function into late adulthood.
Cindy’s talk will discuss – in a clear, comprehensive, and captivating way – what is dementia, how dementia changes the brain, and why healthy behaviours such as exercise, socialization, sleep, and stress reduction can offset this risk. Cindy’s talk equips attendees with the knowledge they need to promote their own healthy brain aging and wellness, and to feel empowered to take steps to keep themselves as healthy as possible, for as long as possible.
After this talk, attendees will be able to…
Understand what dementia is and what changes are occurring behind the scenes
Gain insight into how and why modifiable lifestyle behaviours (exercise, sleep, etc.) help offset dementia-risk
Feel equipped and motivated to take care of your own brain and cognition, for optimal healthy aging and dementia prevention
Interested in one of these brain health talks? Get in touch!
Cindy provides brain health and wellness speaking services in Vancouver, BC, and virtually across Canada. She also loves to travel, so contact us to inquire about opportunities in other cities.
Looking for a longer, hands-on brain health session?
Cindy also provides these talks as a half-day wellness workshop!
About Cindy
Cindy (Cynthia) McDowell (she/her) studied Psychology and Behavioural Neuroscience as an undergraduate at Simon Fraser University. She then received her Masters of Science in Psychology from the University of Victoria, where she is currently completing her PhD in Experimental (Research) Psychology. Her research focuses on factors that promote or compromise healthy aging in later life, with an emphasis on predicting and preventing dementia. Cindy is also an expert in statistical analysis and uses her statistical and coding knowledge to move the field of cognitive health research forward.
Cindy is an accomplished Speaker, having provided talks for employees and executives at the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, Low Tide Properties, Leadbox, Perler Financial Group, and more. Cindy currently works as a researcher and data scientist for the Brain Aging and Neurocognitive Lab at the University of Victoria, where she is examining the benefits of a community choir for individuals with dementia and their care partners (Voices in Motion Project). She hopes that accessible education regarding cognitive and biological changes in later life will alter the ways in which aging is spoken about in our society (especially in the media!) and will provide people with tangible tools to protect their brain health as they age. Cindy is a highly accomplished researcher-scientist and has authored several peer-reviewed research papers in her field, presented at numerous national and international conferences, contributed to interviews and a dementia-related podcast, and received several awards in recognition for her research accomplishments - including being named as one of Canada’s 2023 Women Leaders in Digital Health.
In her spare time, you’ll find Cindy enjoying the great outdoors (kayaking, backpacking), playing soccer, reading a good book, or giving her adorable dog an endless amount of belly-rubs and ear scratches.
“We were very fortunate to have Cindy McDowell share her Boosting Brain Health presentation with our office. Cindy was engaging, and she has a friendliness and ease to her presentation style, making her a great speaker. She both educated and inspired us through an interesting and informative presentation chalked full of practical tips and personal examples. Her passion for brain health shone through every moment. We highly recommend her and cannot thank her enough!”
Leslie Marsden, Operations Manager, Perler Financial Group
“We had the pleasure of hosting Cindy McDowell for our most recent Leadbox Learns session. Her talk about Boosting Brain Health was fantastic. It was a great blend of scientific and practical information, with applicable recommendations to help our team be more conscious of the impact that our choices can have on our minds, both short and long-term. Plus, for a group with regular guest presenters, this talk provoked great follow-up questions from the team - great to see! Thanks so much!”
Ian Cruickshank, President and CEO, Leadbox
