Maria Shriver's Next Chapter Bets Big On Brain Health

Key Concepts

• Personal Imprint (Open Field)
• Women's Health and Research
• Alzheimer's Disease (disproportionate impact on women)
• Cognitive Health
• Eating for Brain Health
• Importance of Asking Questions
• Reinvention in Later Life
• Generational Conversations about Health
• The Power of One Supporter
• Menopause and Perimenopause

I. Personal Reflections and Overcoming Doubts

• Maria Shriver acknowledges feelings of inadequacy despite her public image as a change-maker. She admits to questioning whether she is a "good enough" daughter, sister, wife, mother, journalist, and human being.
• She believes these feelings are common and even desirable in leaders, as they demonstrate self-awareness and empathy.
• Shriver emphasizes the importance of asking oneself difficult questions about life choices, motivations, and personal fulfillment.
• She suggests various methods for overcoming paralyzing doubts, including writing, therapy, meditation, and talking to others.
• Asking these questions is a sign of being "alive" in one's life, rather than blindly following a predetermined path.

II. Open Field Imprint and Publishing

• Shriver founded the Open Field imprint at Penguin Random House to publish voices she admires and believes can ignite change in the world.
• The imprint has been successful, publishing several New York Times bestsellers.
• Shriver is actively involved in selecting books, often reaching out to potential authors and providing support throughout the publishing process.
• Example: She contacted Shannon Watts, encouraging her to write a book about activism and advocacy, and then supported the book's launch through her digital publication, The Sunday Paper.
• She emphasizes the importance of helping authors navigate the changing media landscape and connect with their audiences.
• Combining the audiences of different authors can benefit each individual author.
• Different marketing strategies are needed to reach different audiences (email, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) and encourage book purchases.

III. Women's Alzheimer's Movement and Brain Health

• Shriver partnered with the Alzheimer's Association in 2010 to publish a report on women and Alzheimer's, leading to the creation of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement.
• The movement was founded to address the lack of focus on women in Alzheimer's research and care.
• Key statistic: Two-thirds of those affected by Alzheimer's are women.
• The organization funds research into women's brains and health spans, aiming to find a cure or prevention strategies.
• Changing the narrative around Alzheimer's to include women was crucial, as the disease was previously seen as a general age-related condition.
• The movement also promotes the importance of prevention and lifestyle factors in reducing Alzheimer's risk.
• Shriver emphasizes the importance of trusting one's instincts and pursuing hunches, even when they contradict conventional wisdom.
• The Women's Alzheimer's Prevention Center was established at the Cleveland Clinic in Las Vegas.
• A large comprehensive women's health and research center was also created through the Cleveland Clinic.
• Women's health research lags decades behind, not just in Alzheimer's but in all areas of a woman's life.
• Neurology and cognitive health are where oncology was 30 years ago.
• Shriver is advocating for increased funding for women's health research, particularly in light of potential cuts to the CDC and NIH.
• She highlights the importance of the White House initiative on women's health and research under the Biden administration.
• Every hospital should have a women's health and research center that can address women's health needs throughout their lives.
• Education is needed for medical schools, doctors, and women themselves about women's health issues, including perimenopause and menopause.
• Perimenopause and menopause start in the brain, not in the vagina.

IV. Menopause and Cultural Conversation

• Shriver expresses excitement about the increasing conversation around menopause and perimenopause.
• She funded research into the menopausal brain by Lisa Moscone and wrote the foreword to her books.
• She is thrilled that women are thinking about their health in different ways and asking their providers questions.
• Her goal is to ensure that future generations of women receive better information and care than she did.
• She views women's health as a human rights issue and believes it is a disgrace that research is so far behind.
• Women live longer but in worse health (financial, emotional, physical, mental).
• Shriver is a full-time volunteer in the women's health space.

V. Mosh Bar and Eating for Brain Health

• Mosh is a protein bar company co-founded by Shriver and her son Patrick, focused on brain health.
• The company funds research into women's brain health and Alzheimer's.
• Shriver faced initial skepticism about the market for brain health products.
• Her son encouraged her to "bet on herself" and start the company despite her age.
• Mosh has been a success, and the company is currently in a fundraising round.
• People are increasingly aware of the importance of eating for cognitive health and are concerned about brain fog.
• The fastest-growing trend at Expo West was women's health and cognitive health.

VI. Advice and Perspective

• Shriver advises women in their 20s and 30s not to feel pressured to have everything planned out or to rush accomplishments.
• She emphasizes that life can be fulfilling and exciting at any age, and that her 60s have been her "greatest decade ever."
• She encourages people to stay curious, ask questions, and look for "white space" or unmet needs.
• She advises women in their 20s and 30s to exercise, prioritize sleep, and eat in a way that nourishes the brain.
• She also encourages them to have conversations with their parents about their health and well-being.
• Being over 50 is an advantage because it provides wisdom and perspective.
• Businesses benefit from age diversity in the boardroom.
• It's never too late to live the life you imagined or a life you never imagined.
• The life you are living in one decade might not be the life you are living in the next decade.
• There is a big runway in front of you after raising kids and caring for aging parents.

VII. The Power of One Supporter

• Shriver emphasizes the importance of having at least one person who believes in your idea and is willing to support you.
• She quotes Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."

VIII. Conclusion

Maria Shriver's interview highlights the importance of self-reflection, questioning assumptions, and advocating for change, particularly in the areas of women's health and brain health. She emphasizes the power of personal experience, the value of collaboration, and the potential for reinvention at any age. Her journey demonstrates that by staying curious, trusting one's instincts, and finding even just one supporter, individuals can make a significant impact on the world.