BAIRD JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LEARNING RX - TRAIN YOUR BRAIN AT ANY AGE Baird left a business career ten years ago in search of a solution to his daughter’s classroom challenges. In second grade, they noticed that their daughter had a hard time learning to read. They had her tested at Learning Rx. She began a structured program and she will graduate near the top of her class at EPHS this year. Our brain skills peak in our 20’s and start decreasing from then on but mental abilities can be trained. This requires practice and mental exercise usually involving one on one personal training 3-4 times a week for three to nine months. Average IQ gain from program participants is fourteen points. Brain training changes can become permanent and can help people at any age. In Q and A Baird said that our brains can be trained to tune out distractions, and contrary to popular belief our brains do produce new brain cells they are just not incorporated. This can be changed through training. |
John, recently back from a mission trip to the Philippines, shared some thoughts regarding the impact of the experience on him and the enrichment from helping the hungry youth in the poorest parts of the Philippines. John shared a little about his family history including the loss of both of his parents when he was young. These life experiences have shaped who he is and the impact those events had on his own struggles. John credits Rotary for helping him deal with his issues. As a speaker John has delivered 4500 speeches to over two million people. He shared some humorous notes he has received from school children over the years.
