Cognitive and Physical Well-being: Scaling with Compassion and Guts feat. Aziz Kaddan of Myndlift

Joshua Ness
Startup Grind
Published in
2 min readDec 18, 2023

In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, insights from seasoned founders can serve as guiding beacons for aspiring and established business leaders alike.

Recently, Aziz Kaddan, the founder of Myndlift, shared his experiences in an interview with Startup Grind New York City. During the exchange, Aziz delved into a variety of topics, offering wisdom on the intricacies of running a startup and fostering personal well-being.

Throughout the fireside chat, several themes emerged, exploring valuable lessons on mental health, strategic decision-making, and navigating unexpected adversities. They include:

Cognitive and Physical Well-being
Holistic Health for Founders
Leadership and Team Dynamics:
Founder’s Journey and Resilience

During his talk, Aziz delved into the intricacies of cognitive and physical well-being, shedding light on the correlation between brain activity and age. At the core of Myndlift’s mission is the analysis of brain scans and EEG data to understand cognitive processes better. Aziz discussed the significance of a specific measure called peak alpha, stating, “It’s a measure of how fast you process information and your memory.” This metric, derived from alpha brainwaves, becomes a focal point in understanding cognitive performance.

As Aziz unfolded the findings from the extensive database of brain activity measurements, a clear pattern emerged. Alpha brainwaves, indicative of information processing and memory, exhibit a peak around the age of 30, followed by a gradual decline. He emphasized the impact of age on cognitive abilities, revealing that after the age of 40, the brain shrinks by approximately 5% per decade. Despite these challenges, Aziz presented a silver lining, highlighting the potential for combating cognitive decline through specific lifestyle choices.

The holistic approach advocated by Myndlift extends beyond age-related cognitive decline. Aziz urged individuals, especially founders, to prioritize both aerobic exercise and resistance training. “Cardio for memory and lifting for executive function,” he noted, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between physical health and cognitive abilities.

In this intricate dance between brain activity and physical fitness, Aziz underscored the role of nutrition. His dietary recommendations included antioxidants, B-vitamins, and the often-overlooked emphasis on whole grain foods for sustained energy levels throughout the day.

Aziz’s insights form a comprehensive narrative around cognitive and physical well-being, intertwining age-related challenges with actionable solutions. By addressing the nuances of brain activity, exercise, and nutrition, he provides a roadmap for founders and individuals alike to navigate the intricate balance between mental acuity and physical vitality.

Stay tuned for explorations on Aziz Kaddan’s additional themes for entrepreneurial success.

--

--

Joshua Ness
Startup Grind

I'm a Director of Emerging Technology and the Director at Startup Grind in New York City.