Episode 18 – Wynford Dore: Pioneering Brain Researcher

Wynford Dore is an entrepreneur that has disrupted several industries with his innovative approach to research.

20 years ago, Susie, his daughter, who had struggled badly in school, became depressed…. and attempted to take her own life. Mercifully she lived…. but it changed his life completely – he sold his companies to focus on education and “how we learn”.

As part of this quest he founded an examination board “Education Development International plc” which operated in over 50 countries and sold that to the world’s largest education publisher – Pearson International plc in 2011.

He bought a famous private school in Leamington Spa to investigate how education practices could be enhanced to suit each child’s individual needs.

But most of his time he spent researching how the brain learns – and how to naturally increase our mental capacity. Working closely with neuroscientists he has discovered that recent breakthroughs show how it is now possible to change how his daughter’s brain was working.

And that by stimulating it with carefully chosen exercises brain plasticity can be increased – and so press the brain’s “reset button”. This process is now used to transform anxiety, solve attention issues, accelerate learning – and even overcome challenges like poor reading skills.

Wynford’s book “Stop Struggling in School” quickly became a best seller – and now, he’s helped many 10’s of 1000’s of adults and children.

Susie is mercifully alive, but Wynford continues to work closely with researchers with the belief that these powerful tools will soon reach the millions of people still struggling and whose lives could be transformed.

Wynford’s 3 mindset messages:

1. The generally held belief that we have to “put up with” whatever mental capacity we were born with is a myth. We CAN and SHOULD increase our mental capacity to the max so we A) perform at our best and B) feel “on top” of whatever life throws at us

2. Neuroplasticity can be enhanced at any age – which means that we can make important changes in our mental state and our cognitive faculties when we want. This takes away our limitations in a lasting, life changing way

3. Neuroscience explains many important things – including (for instance) why mindfulness, meditation and gratitude really change the brain. It also shows exciting things like: why fun and contentment create totally different chemicals in the brain, some of which are addictive – and some that block the creation of the “contentment chemical”. Very few realise this – and discovering it is life changing.

The Food

Wynford wanted a combination of meat and veg and whilst it sounds simple, I wanted him to have an explosion of flavours in his mouth. 

So after a bit of research, I decided to make one of my favourite Japanese flavoured beef, rice and greens bowl. I love making various bowls, they are so nutritious and you can use variety of ingredients. 

Wynford has really enjoyed the steak, and I was very pleased with how it turned out! 

I used this recipe here however there are many recipes out there, all very similar. 

Wynford is a founder of Zing Performance, if you would like to know more, you can get in touch via the website or LinkedIn.