Welcome to my Substack

The landing place for everything in my mind

Welcome everyone to Notes on the Mind.

A place where I can finally give a bit of insight not only into my own mind but yours as well (through lessons in psychology and neuroscience) and also where I write about my much loved brain facts - like how you can die from drinking too much water, or how you can live with half a brain (more on that if you subscribe).

My podcast “Do You F***ing Mind” has recently turned 6, and reaches many countries around the world (the three downloads in Uruguay - probably my Mum’s cousins). And I have 3 (almost 4) published books. I completed my masters in neuroscience and undergrad degree in cognitive neuroscience (the highlight? Dissecting brains. Although I don’t think I will ever rid my olfactory bulbs from the smell of formaldehyde). But the academic life was not always for me. Prior to my studies, I was hellbent on becoming an actress. Which is all to say - get me on a stage because I love to talk. And talk about the brain I have (with over 500 podcast episodes published thus far).

So after some mild convincing by my *actual professional copywriter* friend to start my own Substack, I have arrived. To the place where I can share everything I have learned and continue to learn in the field of Neuroscience and Psychology to help you feel in control of your life, plus my ongoing stream of consciousness.

I am now in my era of 30s and so far my favourite iteration of myself -though I have loved them all for gifting me many memorable and fascinating moments. Such as moving to Paris in my 20s heartbroken and confused. Only to be even more confused upon arrival BUT with a red wine and cigarette, sitting on my tiny balcony in Saint Germain. Many hours were spent here contemplating what I really wanted for my future while jotting things down in my illegible handwriting.

Or all the other failures and horrid romances that have inspiring me to write my first ever fiction novel (currently in dot point form but really hoping my publisher agrees to this).

Starting my Substack has also come at a time where I have been craving a pivot to long form, intentional content, and more of the slow life energy (while having more on my plate than ever before). This has inspired me to disable my TikTok last month - supposedly a temporary thing, but I haven’t missed it one iota so will I ever go back? Substack just may be the answer I have been looking for.

Alongside all the above inspirations for my work I also suffer from a deep nostalgia from the 90s and am always on a quest to replicate that as an adult. Things like not being contactable 24/7, more face to face interactions and less time spent on devices. I was only ever a child in the 90s but feel I as though a version of me lived it as an adult. Can you have nostalgia for something you never experienced? (Turns out you can and its called Anemoia - but that’s a whole article waiting to happen). Next to my work, I life a very full life with my fiancé Tyrone, our 9 month old twins and our rescue dog Habib. No two days are the same, and we live surrounded by our family and friends in close proximity - I think that is better than winning the lottery. I cook, run, do puzzles, and drink Negronis, and feel like I am living a version of my life my 26 year old self living in Paris would have dreamed of.

So. What to expect from my publication?

I will keep you on your toes with food for thought and life lessons.

Expect the kind of lessons I share about on my podcast, and also expect articles that share a more personal perspective on things and more vulnerable life anecdotes as well. Think of it as a behind the scenes of my life.

For example, My regular coffee mornings in Potts Point Sydney with the ‘circle of love’ girls (my best friends) The topics we cover at these sessions are exactly the kind of topics I want to be sharing here.

Then there is the real heavy hitting content that I am known for:

Neuroscience of behavioural change, our minds and how we can change them, identify (what forms it and what can influence change), being lost and ‘finding’ yourself, overcoming heartbreak or setbacks, cutting the dead weight in life, and small changes to improve your quality of life.

Now let’s begin this journey where I can live my dream slow life in the fast lane together with my listeners and readers. Welcome, and I am glad you are here.

Alexis x