In our CEO wellness series, we ask executives about their daily habits to find out what tactics they use to reduce stress and maintain their well-being.
Mark Brooks is co-founder and co-CEO of Brainiac Foods, a company dedicated to supporting brain development, performance, and health for the entire 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 they put in?
I was born in England, now love here in the US, so it has to be both. Coffee in the morning, double espresso, steamed milk; English tea in the afternoon, a splash of whole milk in a cozy cup.
do you have breakfast
On weekends, we get fresh eggs from my nine-year-old chicken coop (we scavenged during the pandemic), a scramble in a pan with chunks of smoked salmon, mini broccoli florets, avocado, onion, garlic, and sourdough toast. It’s super-tasty and packed full of brain nutrients. To make sure it’s a balanced breakfast, we follow it up with waffles and bourbon maple syrup!
Tell us about your exercise routine.
We live at the foot of Mount Tamalpais, on a steep winding road. As a family, we have to go back and forth every day during the pandemic. Not every day anymore, but still the best exercise ever – outdoors, intense, and only one way to get home!
How many hours do you sleep at night?
Knowing how important sleep is to our long-term health and the well-being of our brains, I try to get 8 hours every night. It doesn’t always happen, but putting the phone across the room, out of reach, has increased the chance.
How to relieve stress?
With three kids ages 6, 9, and 11, creating balance and space is important. Working more from home there is less separation between the stress of the day and showing up fully as a Dad. It immediately became a creative work for me. Cooking for the family is a good transition. Having fun with flavors, colors, and textures makes me so happy when they love-less when our six-year-olds discuss how many vegetables are needed to get dessert.
According to your phone, how much screen time did you average per day from last week?
4 hours and 10 minutes. I feel that understates our relationship! When I realized to put and be in the moment, we must be fair-it is a good way to stay connected with loved ones, to talk nonsense with friends scattered around the globe, to nurture an infinite community.
What app do you use the most?
It is possible to open close between Apple’s mail app and FaceTime. I’d love to say my go-to app is for listening to fun podcasts while tracking my health vitals during my HIIT workouts, but no, I love chatting.
When was the last time you took a day off? What are you doing?
Does taking the morning off count? We went to my favorite breakfast place for my husband’s birthday, without the kids, sitting outside with mimosas and coffee. It’s very good.
What does your company do to prioritize employee well-being?
As a company focused on brain health and well-being, we know that sleep, exercise, and nutrition are critical factors in the development, performance, and health of our brains. We understand the destructive nature of stress and the benefits of reducing it create balance. We intentionally support flexible work arrangements, and hire exceptional talent everywhere. We empower individuals to manage their commitments in a way that truly focuses on outcomes, not inputs.
What’s your favorite treat?
Fortunately, we made a delicious snack to be spoiled. My favorite treat is Chocolate Almond Brain Butter. It’s super indulgent, but packed with Omega-3, choline, and made from almonds. It’s all-around chocolate goodness.
Do you have any intentions or goals for 2023?
I am aware that children are at a very special age, they love the world they discover, this year we want to create more opportunities to share their discoveries and raise their horizons, weekend explorations on the coast, national parks. that has not yet been opened, and at the same time, rush to the opportunities and challenges that 2023 will surely offer.
What is your favorite health product?
One practice that always seems out of reach is meditation, specifically calming the mind. I recently tried the Muse brainwave sensing headband, and it works. He has gamified meditation in a way that busts through the awkwardness and unlocks the benefits, and even makes it a little competitive.
Show a photo of your happy place.
Courtesy of Mark Brooks
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