Brain Fade: an Ode to Courage
Not the loud kind. Not the kind that arrives with a speech or leaves people clapping. This is quieter. It’s in the morning, before anything has improved, when…
Unlucky, But Lucky: Howard’s Story
Howard had always been active – tramping, mountain biking, and volunteering on the Coastguard Sumner rescue boats. Stroke wasn’t on his radar.
Mastering Movement, Why Transitions Matter
We lose balance most often not when standing still, but during transitions - those quick shifts from one posture or movement to another. In movement science, these are the moments…
When a Brain Protein Goes Rogue
Proteins are the brain’s quiet workers, building, repairing, and keeping systems running so we can move, think, and feel. Most of the time, they do this unnoticed. But occasionally, a…
The Map is not the Territory
Modern life pulls us into thinking—analysis, planning, comparing, worrying. We live in commentary. We replay conversations, anticipate problems, monitor how we’re coming across, and interpret every bodily sensation. …
When Fear Causes the Brain to Micromanage Movement
Fear is designed to protect us. When the brain senses potential danger, it increases vigilance, heightens muscle tension, and narrows attention. In genuinely hazardous situations, this response is adaptive. But…
How to Walk and Chew Gum
In real life, we’re rarely just do one thing. We walk while talking.We carry groceries while watching for traffic.We cook dinner while listening to a podcast. Life doesn’t…
Give me Strength
If you are an older adult and you’re not doing some form of strength training, chances are ageing may not treat you kindly. You’ve probably heard that we lose muscle (sarcopenia)…
Jan Cameron, Born to Ride
Like many little girls, Jan Cameron loved to be near horses. Unlike them, she left school at 14, rode in her first race at 15, and went on to earn…
Stress Doesn’t [Always] Retire With You
Stress is often assumed to fade with age. Once work ends and responsibilities lessen, life is expected to become calmer. Yet many people over sixty find the opposite is true.…