STRESS LESS: A NASA Scientist’s Perspective

Joan Vernikos is this week's featured guest with Barbara Brehon , host.

Dr. Joan Vernikos is a vibrant 90-year old former director of NASA who has a PASSION FOR HELPING PEOPLE.?Joan Vernikos PhD (1934-)was born to Greek parents in Alexandria, Egypt. A pharmacologist from the Univ. of London, she taught medical students at Ohio State University before being recruited by NASA in 1964. Former Director of NASA's Life Sciences (1993-2000) she is a recognized leader in the field of stress management and coping and a pioneer of space medicine. A woman of many talents, she and her husband Geoffrey Hazzan had a chocolate truffle shop, in London in the 1980s where she invented the first all-white chocolate truffle in Europe. Stories of that challenge and the recipes she created are in their 2012 book 'Adventures in Chocolate' under her married name, Joan Hazzan, co-authored with her husband.

Her NASA research led to the discovery of a revolutionary link between gravity and healthy aging. Her inaugural book, published in 2004, titled 'The G-Connection: Harness Gravity and Reverse Aging' with a foreword by John Glenn, has been translated into five languages and was honored with the 2009 Book Award from the International Academy of Astronautics. 'Stress Fitness for Seniors' followed in 2009. 'Sitting Kills, Moving Heals: How Simple Everyday Movement Will Prevent Pain, Illness and Early Death -- and Exercise Alone Won't' (2011) emphasizes that the key to lifelong health is more than just traditional gym exercise, but a natural lifestyle of constant, natural movement that resists the force of gravity. Her latest (2018) is 'Stress Beyond 50: Tools & Wisdom for a Happier, Longer Life.'

Dr. Joan is a popular motivational speaker, health coach and consultant to organizations. Her mission is to stem the trend in poor health in sedentary and stressed out America by helping people live their entire life with fun, health and vigor. In 2018 she was inducted into the International Astronautical Federation Hall of Fame.