The disruption of COVID has left us Zoom-fatigued and deeply grateful for human connection, each with our own unique story of life during the pandemic.

And when it comes to story, there are two basic kinds.

The first are our externally-facing "overstories": tales of everyday life experience, nuggets of information from a persistent stream of global news and social media, and narratives—fiction and nonfiction—that engage us at home, in school, at work and at play. These stories are the ones that take place in our outer worlds.

Or do they?

The BIG headline—and the focus of the 2021–22 Walker Institute for Wellness Speaker Series—lies in the second kind: the "understory" which unfolds in the inner world of our minds, informed by a stealth and powerful private voice only we can hear. Below the radar of conscious awareness, this voice shapes how we see the world around us, perceive ourselves within it, and the meaning we make of life events—for better, and for worse.

Why is this important?

Because it’s not discrete life events themselves that matter most. Rather—it’s the meaning we make of these events—the elements we choose to give our attention to—that shape our biochemistry, energy, health, emotional well-being, character, cognitive capacity, and potential for resilience and growth—all which sculpt our path forward. Whether reframing an event from years ago, managing a stressful moment happening NOW, or dreaming BIG about the future—our private voice wields a heavy behind-the-scenes hand in creating our reality, and dictating what’s possible.

And by believing that something is possible—even the most far-fetched, outlandish dream—we increase the odds that it actually is. Here’s why.

Neuroscience tells a remarkable story of what’s possible when we rewire our brains with intentionality and discipline—a concept known as “self-directed neuroplasticity”. Our malleable mind-body systems are a 24/7, 365-day-a-year epigenetic work-in-progress, with nurture (life experience) shaping nature (DNA, hormones and biochemistry) across time. This means that we can train our private voices—at any age or stage—to amplify the messages and stories that fuel the full engagement on the inside, that leads to performance on the outside.

Please join us for a series of remarkable conversations about the why and the how of unleashing our inner superpower—to transform a critical inner adversary—into a trusted inner coach.

Speakers will weave an integrated, inspiring and actionable narrative about human potential through the lens of neuroscience (Dr. Ethan Kross, Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang), performance psychology (Dr. Jim Loehr), earning Olympic Gold (Dan Jansen and Adeline Gray—presenting to students), emotional intelligence (Dr. Marc Brackett), and post-traumatic growth following liberation from Auschwitz (Dr. Edith Eger—Zooming in with students).

They will equip us with knowledge and skills to get our own oxygen masks on first, leveraging the science of breath (James Nestor) to provide the power of the pause—amplifying awareness in a way that helps us act rather than react, both with ourselves and others—promoting a healthier, more equitable, connected and loving community (Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity: Sarah Burgamy and Debby Irving—presenting to faculty/staff).

By coaching our minds to gravitate toward stories that work FOR us, rather than against us, stories that heal rather than harm, we can give ourselves—and those we love—the priceless gift of health, well-being, expanded possibility and full engagement in the off-road adventure of becoming our best selves. 

What’s YOUR extraordinary story, and what’s the roadmap for living your way into it? Join us for this year’s speaker series, and let’s find out!

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
—Viktor Frankl