Welcome! I’m Maria Dominguez, PhD, and I’m The Fit Scientist! 

For as long as I can remember, I always had my nose in a book and a desire to learn. This was fueled by a boundless curiosity about the world, a quenchless need to understand things, and a slight obsession with the brain and human behavior. Ok, it was actually a large obsession. You got me. 😉

While all of that motivated me to pursue academics, I was equally fueled by something else; my love for external movement. Exercise has always been a source of pure joy and exhilaration for me. It fills me up in a way nothing else does. This passion of mine led me to become a certified indoor cycling instructor. I worked at two boutique fitness centers, teaching super-charged cycling classes while pursuing my graduate degrees. To this day, pushing my limits and exploring my body’s capabilities brings me immense happiness. If you dislike or actively avoid exercise, I hope a little time here with me can change your mind!

MY WHY

My greatest joy comes from teaching, which is the main driving force behind this blog. I burst with excitement when I learn something new, and my first instinct is to share it with anyone willing to listen. Sometimes, that means lecturing to college students or giving talks to school-aged children. Other times, it means excitedly tapping my kindergartener near his temporal lobe and letting him know that’s where the meaning of words is stored as he looks at me crookedly. Here, it means sharing fun and engaging psychological and neuroscience insights with all of you!

In addition to being a trained research scientist, I’m also a mother, a professor (albeit not currently), a baker, a meditator, a very inflexible yogi, a former fitness instructor and life-long fitness enthusiast, a health foodie, a bit of a health supplement fanatic, and a nature lover. I want to share all these parts of me and more as we march down the rabbit hole of brain, body, and behavior together!

MY VISION FOR YOU

We all share the same goal—to be our healthiest, best selves. Agreed? I think prioritizing our brain health can lead us to that goal. Our brain is the command center of our body, influencing everything from our physical health to our emotional well-being and cognitive abilities, like learning and memory. When we prioritize our brain health, we are laying the foundation for our overall wellness and many of the ways we can do that involve how we treat our body and fuel our spirit. All three of these elements are intrinsically connected. 

Adopting habits that nourish our mind, body, and spirit, such as regular movement, a balanced diet, quality sleep, and breath work, equip us to better handle stress, make sound decisions, maintain healthy relationships, and pursue our passions with energy. 

My hope is that each time you visit, you’ll take away a piece of knowledge with you. Sometimes, it might be a fun fact; other times, it will be something more profound. But rest assured, all of it will be useful. No matter who you are, something here can enrich your life.

MY ONLY ASK

If something I say speaks to you intellectually or intuitively, take it with you and spread that knowledge. Please pay it forward to others and help make this world better. Yes, helping out even one person counts. In the same breath, if something I share or say doesn’t sit right, feel free to leave it behind. My only ask is that you approach everything with an open mind. Deal?