10% Happier with Dan Harris On Muscle and Mind: How Strength Training Changes Your Brain, Improves Your Mental Health, and Lengthens Your Life | Bonnie Tsui
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Jun 18, 2025 
Bonnie Tsui, a New York Times contributor and bestselling author of "Why We Swim," explores the powerful connection between muscle strength and mental health. She discusses how strength training can enhance emotional well-being and longevity, breaking societal beauty standards along the way. Bonnie shares personal stories, the science behind muscle impact on the brain, and practical tips for starting a strength training journey. She emphasizes that it's never too late to recognize your physical potential and cultivate resilience through movement.
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Mind-Muscle Continuous Dialogue
- Muscles and the brain communicate constantly through electrochemical signals.
- Muscle health and movement are crucial for long-term brain health, especially as we age.
Martial Arts Childhood Roots
- Bonnie grew up with a unique blend of art and martial arts thanks to her father.
- This upbringing shaped her lifelong connection to muscles in form and function.
Muscle-to-Brain Chemical Signals
- Muscles are not just for movement; they secrete myokines that influence the brain.
- Exercise stimulates brain plasticity and cognition by this muscle-to-brain signaling.
