Mitchell Adams
When you heal your brain, you change your life. That’s the message at the heart of Amen University’s mission—and it’s being lived out daily by graduates of our Elite Brain Health Certification courses.
In a recent episode of the Change Your Brain Every Day podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen sat down with two inspiring Amen University brain health coaches, Barbara Gustavson and Laura Pomales. Their personal stories reveal just how powerful brain health can be—not only to transform your own life, but to ignite a ripple effect of healing in others.
These two women are part of a growing global movement. From inherited trauma and emotional pain to purpose and peace, they’re showing what’s possible when you understand your brain—and learn how to care for it.
Why Brain Health Matters More Than Ever
Most people don’t think much about their brains. “We care more about our boobs, bellies, and butts than we do about our brains,” Dr. Amen jokes, “because we can see those in the mirror—but we can’t see our brain.” Yet when Dr. Amen started looking at the brain through SPECT imaging in 1991, he realized: “This changes everything.”
Today, Amen University is on a mission to bring brain health to the forefront. And that mission is being carried out by thousands of coaches and clinicians around the world—many of whom started with personal stories of pain, confusion, and longing for something better.
Barbara’s Story: A Family Legacy and a New Path Forward
For Barbara Gustavson, the journey began when her father handed her a file from Ancestry.com. Inside were haunting details—a murder cover-up involving her great-grandfather and her grandfather’s suicide. The details also revealed a history of Huntington’s disease in the family, making Barbara fear for her own future.
That was the moment she decided she needed to take control of her health and her brain. She scheduled a brain scan at Amen Clinics and was relieved when it showed no signs of Huntington’s.
But it also opened her eyes to the power of nourishing her brain—through healthy foods, better thoughts, and calming strategies for tough moments. That turning point led her to Amen University’s Elite Brain Health Certification courses, and ultimately, to her calling: helping others write a new ending to their own stories.
Barbara now trains coaches, speaks, and empowers others through simple, science-backed brain health strategies. She helps others find their own calling as brain health coaches and clinicians.
Laura’s Story: From Self-Destruction to Becoming a Brain Health Leader
Laura Pomales had a troubled childhood and a rebellious adolescence—sneaking out, experimenting with drugs, and making choices that could have easily led to addiction or jail. “I was going down a dangerous path,” she says. “I just didn’t understand why I was doing what I was doing.”
That changed after she watched Dr. Amen’s TED Talk. She needed answers. She got certified in brain health and joined the Amen University team, where she now helps develop and support the very coaching programs that changed her life.
One year, after faithfully practicing the brain-healthy habits she’d learned—supplements, positive thinking, healthy routines—she went to Amen Clinics for a brain scan. Nervous about what they might find about her brain function, she was shocked and thrilled when Dr. Amen looked at her results and said, “You have a beautiful brain.”
Today, Laura is helping the next generation of brain health leaders understand their brains, build resilience, and live with purpose.
From Pain to Purpose: How the Brain Health Revolution Is Growing
The stories of Barbara and Laura are far from unique. Amen University’s global brain health community is made up of coaches and clinicians who began with their own struggles—and found hope and healing through Dr. Amen’s teachings.
One graduate, Judy, had delayed signing up for the coaching program while completing her master’s degree. Then tragedy struck: her 22-year-old nephew, Arturo, died by suicide. That devastating loss became her motivation to take action. Judy got certified and is now spreading the brain health message in churches, businesses, and communities in Arturo’s honor.
Another graduate, a college student at UC Boulder, struggled with mold toxicity and misdiagnoses. After going through the Amen University certification course, she launched a student-led group on campus called the Buff Brain Gym—using brain-based strategies to help her peers manage stress and boost mental health. Now, other colleges around the nation are now turning to her to help create similar brain health programs on their campuses.
These are just a few examples out of thousands of brain health leaders. The number of brain health coaches and clinicians is growing rapidly. In fact, over 10,000 people are either currently enrolled in a certification course or have already graduated.
Brain Health Is the Answer—Not Just for Individuals, But for Communities
According to Dr. Amen, the end of mental illness begins with a revolution in brain health. It’s not about giving more pills. “People are getting pills, not skills,” he says. “What if we stopped calling it mental illness and started calling it what it really is—brain health?”
Amen University’s Elite Brain Health Certification courses include two tracks: one for clinicians and one for coaches.
· Coaching course: This program is designed to equip people from all walks of life—whether you’re a parent, teacher, business leader, pastor— to take brain health into your own hands and share it with others.
· Clinicians course: This program is intended for healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and other professionals who want to incorporate brain health into their practice.
And the impact is real. Certified coaches are now leading programs in businesses, churches, schools, prisons, and even athletic teams. “Some people wonder, ‘Is this for me?’” says Laura. “They tell me they aren’t ready because they aren’t a doctor. But you don’t have to be a doctor. You just have to care.”
Be the Change—Join the Brain Health Revolution
If you’ve ever felt called to help others but didn’t know where to start, this is your invitation. You don’t need to have it all figured out. As Barbara says, “Just say yes, even if you feel uncertain. That’s where your transformation begins.”
Whether you’re driven by a personal story or a desire to create change in your community, Amen University offers you the tools, training, and support to become a certified brain health coach or clinician—and join a growing global movement.
Because when you heal your brain, you change your life. And when you share that knowledge, you help change the world—one brain at a time.
Listen to the entire podcast episode with Dr. Amen, Barbara, and Laura. And if you’re ready to get started, learn more about the Elite Brain Health Certification courses and choose your path.
