Liadan’s Background
Based in Milan, Italy
My primary expertise is in neuroscience. I earned my bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and spent about five years working in basic neuroscience research in various labs in the Boston area. During this time, I worked at Brandeis University and MIT, where I studied learning and memory, synaptic plasticity, social neuroscience, and memory-guided decision-making.
I also had a brief stint in the industry, working at Biogen on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly spinal muscular atrophy. Although my time there was short, it provided valuable experience in both in vivo and in vitro research settings. This allowed me to gain a well-rounded perspective, having worked in both academic and industrial environments.
Subsequently, I pursued a master’s degree in a joint program in primatology and neuroscience in Barcelona, focusing on behavior and cognition. I was particularly interested in social behavior and dynamics, which led me to conduct field research studying the social dynamics of a group of wild male chimpanzees in Uganda. This was an incredibly rewarding and challenging experience, providing me with hands-on field research skills.
After gaining experience in various research areas, including academia, industry, lab work, and fieldwork, I realized that I was more interested in the application of neuroscience rather than pursuing a PhD. I wanted to make neuroscience research accessible and practical for improving people’s lives.
This interest led me to start my own business focused on science communication and creating useful tools based on neuroscience literature.
Current Profession
I work primarily in this field, aiming to bridge the gap between complex scientific research and its practical applications for personal development and well-being.
I have my own business, where I work primarily with clients one-on-one, but sometimes in groups as well. I also do science writing for various platforms.
My main focus is helping individuals optimize their brain function and rewire their brains for performance and well-being. I do this by looking at their genetics and biometrics, analyzing their blood work, and discussing their goals. Through this combination, I aim to help them achieve their desired outcomes in life.
My Path to Neuroscience
I grew up in many different countries, so I’m considered a “third culture kid.” Growing up in multiple countries, I had to constantly adapt to different environments and groups of people. This forced me into an observational stance to figure out the rules in new settings.
Naturally, I became very interested in human behavior because it was essential for my survival and adaptation. This curiosity about why we do what we do and why humans behave in certain ways was the foundation of my interest in neuroscience. I noticed similarities in people’s behaviors regardless of culture, which made me wonder why that was and how culture impacted behavior.
This led me to explore anthropology and primatology as well. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, my childhood experiences were the driving force behind my fascination with human behavior and neuroscience.
Main Area of Expertise
My overarching theme is behavioral change and performance optimization. Clients come to me for a variety of issues: dealing with alcohol problems, struggling with negative self-talk, insomnia, wanting to implement better habits, coping with life changes like divorce, or memory issues. My work spans many domains, but if I had to choose a broad term, it would be behavioral change and brain optimization. This encompasses a wide range of challenges and goals.
The Importance of Self-Development
Self-development became crucial to me because I struggled immensely with it in the past. During my early 20s, I faced severe challenges with my mental health, leading to terrible habits and a lack of basic understanding. It was neuroscience that ultimately turned things around for me.
Authenticity plays a big role in this field, as many who work in self-development have faced similar struggles and sought answers for themselves. My journey involved overcoming my lowest points, where I couldn’t even get out of bed for weeks.
However, through learning about how the brain functions and the power of habit, I managed to establish better habits and understand why change is so difficult. My personal experiences drive my desire to help others navigate similar challenges.
I’ve been there, struggling to implement change, and now I can empathize with others’ struggles and offer guidance based on my own journey. We all need a bit of support and guidance at times, and I’m grateful to provide that for others.
Motivation to Join OmniBloom Retreat
I haven’t really been to many retreats—just a day retreat once, which isn’t quite the same thing. But I love the idea of working in a community. Retreats offer an immersive experience that you can’t get from a few hours or a single talk. Being there for several days allows you to really live and breathe the experience, soaking it up more deeply. I believe this kind of learning is very powerful.
The Neuroscience Behind the Benefits of Retreats
Retreats foster a sense of community. People tend to do better when they’re surrounded by others who are working on similar goals. We’ve evolved to thrive in groups; being part of a community is in our nature. We actually feel safer and more supported in groups. Feeling extreme loneliness or physical pain from social rejection highlights just how much we need people. We work better in communities because we’ve always evolved as part of one. That’s why I’m excited to be a part of this retreat.
What Retreat Attendees Gain from My Guidance
The biggest takeaway for attendees will be gaining more insights into why they do things the way they do. This involves understanding their behaviors, personal genetic makeup, and current functioning. While they might not get all the answers in just one retreat, they will start to see the connections between their choices and their impact on their lifestyle.
Typically, I work with clients over several months, sometimes even years, to fully explore these insights. However, even within the retreat, attendees can expect to leave with a better understanding of themselves and some tangible tools. These might include a personalized lifestyle plan, habit recommendations, and possibly a report on their genetics. Additionally, they’ll receive specific changes they can start to implement right away, like updated routines or new habits to try. We’re still fine-tuning the specifics, but the goal is for attendees to leave with actionable steps and a clearer understanding of their overall well-being.
My Aspirations for This Experience
I really enjoy collaborating with people, so I’m excited to meet others in this space and see how we can work together as a team to make a difference. There’s a reason for the saying, “two minds are better than one.” Individually, I can only do so much, but collaborating with others allows us to create something better. I’m eager to learn from the other experts, share what I know, and be part of a collaborative environment.
We’ll have to work together to create plans for people to help them make lifestyle changes. I’m looking forward to picking the brains of specialists, like nutritionists, to see how their expertise can complement mine. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of protocols we can develop as a group. Overall, I’m excited about meeting new people and being part of a community.
In Liadan’s Free Time
Enjoying Fun Activities
I really like photography. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I also really like being in nature. I love going for hikes with people, going for a drive, traveling, and exploring other places. I also really like learning new languages and learning about other cultures. I really find that fun. I love trying new food, although I’m scared of it, but I like all of those things.
An Interesting Fact About Me
I keep getting attacked by random animals! Not in a really bad way but for some reason, animals notice me! I was once headbutted by a deer — not many people can say that!