Welcome
My name is Lisa Parkinson Roberts (PhD). Lisa Lucas and Lisa Parkinson are previous names in which I have previously published – in case you want to read up on some of my research over the years I have added links to the Publications Page.
I am an ex-academic who loves to write, and I have been passionate about health and wellness for as long as I can remember. As you can see from the photo I love good quality, nutrient dense food.
I have a degree in exercise science and a PhD in Nutrition Science as well as much experience translating nutrition and health research for the general public. Nutrition advice is complex, controversial, and often misunderstood- so I aim to bring you the most current dietary trends, and then help you to work out what is right for you.
I became interested in the idea of mental wellness, as opposed to mental illness, as a result of my personal struggle to attain a well mind (and it has been one long struggle). I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, however I know I can manage my mind and keep it well by using food as medicine, and making lifestyle alterations. I believe it because I am doing it. Although I always struggled mentally I have come to understand that struggle can alchemise into growth, and that we all struggle; the struggle just presents differently between us.
A question I often pondered is why we are only taught how to care for our body and not our mind. This is slowly changing, but more in the context of ‘better do crosswords and talk to people daily so we don’t get Alzheimer’s’, or ‘better see a doctor if I’m feeling sad and depressed’.
Imagine if in school we had lessons on cultivating a well mind. Imagine being taught strategies to calm our nervous system, tools to ward off anxiety and depression, foods to nourish and heal our mind. Imagine if we were taught that we are not our thoughts, rather we are an audience who has the power to choose what thoughts to watch and nurture, and which thoughts to dismiss. Imagine if we were taught how to rewrite the narratives in our head, and let go of what doesn’t serve us. If we were taught to just be still. Our world would be much calmer.
When working on my PhD I explored the effects of a compound in food on inflammation in human muscle cells. During this time I saw first-hand the positive effects that a phenolic compound (found in virgin olive oil), exerted on inflammatory processes. This led to the realisation of an intimate relationship between nutrients found in our food, inflammation, and the health of our body and brain. I have since been on a journey to reduce inflammation in my body and mind, and have experimented with several ‘mind changing’ strategies.
I want to share my journey and the strategies I have learnt. My research is firmly grounded in science, but explores all aspects of being human, the physical, mental, and spiritual. And so I hope you join me on the road to a well mind and body.
Things to remember
❖ No one is happier than the other. We are all getting by just how we can.
❖ We need to override the primitive wiring that motivates us to avoid discomfort and pain. When we face discomfort and pain head on, we experience life.
❖ Our thoughts cause our feelings, not other people or circumstances. And we can control our thoughts.
❖ What we believe to be mental illness could just be a lack of mental wellness, and medication should not be the first point of call, unless in a state of crisis.
❖ We are wired to ruminate on the negative, and this is a built in safeguard against putting ourselves in dangerous or uncomfortable situations.
❖ The stories we tell ourselves are not true.
❖ The food we eat affects the health and wellbeing of our mind.
I have put together loads of information and strategies that have helped me along the way, and used along with my book ‘A Well Mind,’ these resources can help you on your journey.
I am in complete remission and often even question whether my diagnosis was correct- because I have learned that symptoms are really just messages relaying when something is missing or not quite right. In my case, I had inflammation and childhood trauma to process and remediate. As I began that work I slowly saw my symptoms diminish and my whole outlook on life changed.
I moved from victimhood into responsibility, and this is now my passion, helping others do the same.