vanessa potter

Vanessa recounts her compelling and inspirational journey of recovery and resilience following a sudden and rare illness that left her blind and paralysed overnight. She shares her recovery blueprint, incorporating various mind-body tools that helped her through what doctors labeled a 'catastrophic episode.' Hear how Vanessa's scientific explorations deepened her understanding of her brain and led to collaborations with Cambridge neuroscientists, a groundbreaking research study, two books and a TEDx talk. Learn about ‘The Beach’, a science-art EEG exhibition that allowed the public to see and hear their own mindful brainwaves translated into music and art. Her presentation is accessible, thought-provoking and humorous and provides the audience with relatable insights into how a positive mindset, resilience, and post-traumatic growth can change the direction of your life.

Interactive, informative and engaging, Vanessa shares the story of what she learnt about herself during an experiment where she explored 12 different mind-body practices over a three year period while wearing an EEG headset (electroencephalogram). This unusual meditation study with Cambridge neuroscientists led to the development of a new area of research which has the potential to positively impact our health and well-being. From mindfulness to compassion to psychedelics, Vanessa incorporates accessible science, funny anecdotes, tools and practical, no-nonsense explanations of different practices to improve mood, sleep and relationships. Includes audience participation.

As co-founder of ‘ParkBathe’, a green health well-being intervention that uses ‘forest bathing’, Vanessa explains how slow, mindful walking in urban parks is much more than a ‘walk in the park’. Originally a citizen science collaboration, the ParkBathe project tackled green health through a sceptic-friendly lens, inviting people who wouldn’t normally ‘do wellness’ to experience it. As the initial project was so well-received Vanessa launched it into eight parks throughout southeast London as a community-led movement providing a consistent health resource for local people. Vanessa shares stories, anecdotes and a sprinkling of science as she explores the weird, fascinating world of nature connection including health benefits of spending time in nature. Many of which you probably didn't know. You’ll never see your local park with the same eyes again. All talks can be adapted for a variety of audiences and ages. Vanessa provides practical workshops and corporate training.