“There was no single spark that got me into science. My parents were both scientists, so I was exposed to that world from an early age. I remember noticing that science was international – in our house in India, we would have visitors from many different countries and I found that fascinating.”
— Venki Ramakrishnan
Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry for Ribosome Structure Studies

The quote archive

Health

A growing archive of 3,000+ moments, drawn from every interview.

For me, sports were a sanctuary, the only place where I felt at home, could connect with others, and navigate my life and pain. Many NGOs already focus on essential aid and medical needs, so our foundation aims to complement these efforts by introducing sports.

— Yusra Mardini

Syrian Swimmer & Refugee Advocate Who Competed in Olympics

To put it in perspective, every hour spent sitting beyond four hours daily increases mortality risk by 10%. I tackle this with a walking desk, using a treadmill at a low speed throughout my workday.

— Darshan Shah

The real culprit behind the sickness often goes unnoticed: it's the disruption to our circadian rhythm caused by traveling across time zones. Our bodies are designed to operate on a natural rhythm.

— Darshan Shah

For nutrition, the game-changer according to the Pareto principle is cutting out ultra-processed foods. These are the items produced in factories, laden with chemicals, inflammatory oils, and excessive sugars, all of which severely compromise your immune system.

— Darshan Shah

Operating on less than six hours of sleep, your immune system may function at merely 40 to 50% of its full potential. This is why individuals who suffer from poor sleep quality, including those with sleep apnoea, exhibit a higher incidence of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

— Darshan Shah

I realised Freud had it all wrong; it wasn't about penis envy—a concept I hadn't encountered in 40 years of practice. The real desire should be for a healthier brain. That was the moment I understood the importance of brain envy.

— Dr. Daniel Amen

Psychiatrist & Brain Imaging Expert Known for ADD/ADHD Research & Treatment

If someone's brain isn't at its healthiest, their decisions won't be as stellar as they could be, potentially costing them thousands, even millions, of dollars. For leaders, it's crucial to nurture the 'chief executive' part of the brain, the frontal lobes.

— Dr. Daniel Amen

Psychiatrist & Brain Imaging Expert Known for ADD/ADHD Research & Treatment

Falling in love with your brain ignites a passion for discovering how best to nurture it. I'm particularly fond of one guiding question: 'Is this good for my brain or bad for it?' When you respond to this query armed with knowledge and driven by love, you naturally start making wiser choices.

— Dr. Daniel Amen

Psychiatrist & Brain Imaging Expert Known for ADD/ADHD Research & Treatment

My life's mission is to dismantle the notion of mental illness altogether. I detest it. It only serves to shame and stigmatise those with brain health challenges, which is utterly wrong.

— Dr. Daniel Amen

Psychiatrist & Brain Imaging Expert Known for ADD/ADHD Research & Treatment

You notice the wrinkles on your face or the extra weight around your midsection and feel motivated to address these concerns. However, since most individuals rarely, if ever, see their own brain, it simply doesn't register on their list of priorities. This attitude needs a complete overhaul.

— Dr. Daniel Amen

Psychiatrist & Brain Imaging Expert Known for ADD/ADHD Research & Treatment

The adjustment to life post-hostage varies significantly from person to person. Some adapt swiftly, while others may take years, and a few, unfortunately, never fully recover from the trauma—though they are the minority.

— Sir Terry Waite

Envoy Who Negotiated Release of Hostages in Lebanon During 1980s

Once released, former hostages encounter a myriad of practical issues—closed bank accounts, lapsed insurance, and the need for specialised medical and dental care that isn't readily available. They might also require physical therapy among other medical treatments.

— Sir Terry Waite

Envoy Who Negotiated Release of Hostages in Lebanon During 1980s

My training as an actor prepared me for caregiving. As actors, we show up ready to explore what might happen without a clear sense of the outcome. This requires you to be nimble, flexible, and curious, qualities I had to embrace daily as a caregiver.

— Tembi Locke

Author of "From Scratch" memoir and television producer

Caregiving taught me about the dual nature of love—it's both an internal and external commitment. This created a symbiotic and reciprocal relationship; in giving, I received abundantly, and we both were uplifted. Love became an animating force in our lives, guiding us through both dark and light moments.

— Tembi Locke

Author of "From Scratch" memoir and television producer

I don't believe that social media is directly responsible for mental health issues. I see social media more as an accelerant than a cause. It tends to amplify pre-existing conditions, speeding up and enlarging problems rather than creating them.

— Bruce Hood

Psychologist known for research on child development and magical thinking in children

While people may have more connections than ever, these connections often lack depth; they are rarely reciprocal and seldom provide emotional sustenance. The pain of loneliness is something else entirely—stemming from being deliberately excluded, ostracized, or bullied.

— Bruce Hood

Psychologist known for research on child development and magical thinking in children