February 24, 2025 • 18 mins
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What if the secret to a sharper mind was hiding in your kitchen? Join us for an intriguing conversation with pen-named author Stefan McDermott as we unravel the mysteries of brain health through nutrition. Stefan shares his journey and passion behind his new book, "Achieving Optimal Brain Health with Nutrition," which promises to cut through the noise of conflicting dietary advice. Together, we explore the vital gut-brain connection and how certain foods can enhance mental clarity and cognitive function. With 15 years of experience in natural health, Stefan offers a treasure trove of insights, from brain-boosting recipes to holistic lifestyle changes, designed to transform your approach to mental wellness.
Tune in to find out how Stefan navigated the publishing world with the help of the MikKelsen twins' AIA publishing program, bringing his vision to life. This episode is packed with practical insights into biohacking your way to mental clarity and overcoming common barriers to healthy eating. Discover the science of nutritional psychiatry and learn how to harness the power of nutrition to revolutionize your mental health. Whether you're seeking natural remedies for cognitive enhancement or simply want to embrace a healthier lifestyle, the wealth of expert opinions, personal success stories, and actionable tips in this episode will inspire and guide you on your journey to optimal brain health.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Steven Killfoil (00:04):
Crossroads Podcast.
We'll be right back For thosewho want to be in the know.
(01:03):
Who's your daddy?
Good morning, crossroads.
On the show today we have a veryspecial guest, pen-named author
, Stefan McDermott.
I want to thank you, Stefan,for coming on the show today.
Stefan McDermott (01:23):
Well, you're welcome.
Steven Killfoil (01:31):
Why don't you tell us a little bit about
yourself and your new book,achieving Optimal Brain Health
with Nutrition?
Stefan McDermott (01:36):
Certainly, Steven.
Achieve Optimal Brain Healthwith Nutrition is a book that
I've recently completed and itwill be scheduled to launch out
on Amazon March 1st, hopefully,if everything goes right.
It is a book that compiled overabout 15 years of experience in
(01:57):
natural health.
It's an easy-to-follow holisticguide to help boost memory,
mental clarity and cognitivefunction, with recipes and
examples anyone can use daily.
I've broken it out intobasically 12 different chapters
addressing the various needsunderstanding the gut-brain
(02:19):
connection, essential nutrientsfor the brain health, brain
boosting foods and recipes areincluded in this book some
dietary strategies for specificmental health conditions, the
science behind nutritionalpsychiatry, holistic lifestyle
changes for the brain health,overcoming common barriers to
(02:43):
healthy eating, personal successstories and case studies,
interactive tools and resources,expert opinions and scientific
backing and some preventativehealth and long-term strategies.
And finally, in the 12thchapter, beyond the plate,
integrating the mind and thebody To achieve clearer thinking
(03:09):
and enhance mental wellnessthrough the food you eat, even
if you've tried everything else,is a challenge that a lot of us
have these days.
Steven Killfoil (03:19):
Yeah, I know what you mean Exactly.
Are you often confused byconflicting nutritional
information?
Stefan McDermott (03:26):
Oh, yeah, yes, me too.
Have you been seeking naturalremedies to enhance mental
clarity and emotional stabilitybut found it hard to maintain a
satisfying diet?
Or do you aim to embrace ahealthier lifestyle through
nutrition but struggle todiscern what's truly beneficial
(03:47):
for brain health?
This is what inspired me towrite the book.
I mean, after all, hippocrateswas the one who said let food be
thy medicine and medicine bethy food.
My, my, my.
How far we have strayed fromthat simple truth.
(04:08):
But you're not alone.
Many health-consciousindividuals just like you
grapple with similar challenges.
But there's a way to cutthrough the noise and harness
the Power of Nutrition forOptimal Brain Health.
Inside this easy-to-followguide, you will uncover
(04:30):
essential nutrients that play apivotal role in boosting mental
clarity and emotional health.
The scientifically-backedgut-brain connection that can
revolutionize your approach tomental wellness.
That can revolutionize yourapproach to mental wellness.
There's five easy mealsdesigned specifically to enhance
(04:54):
cognitive function, howspecific vitamins and minerals
can impact your brain's health,and how to ensure you're getting
enough, because, as you allknow, the standard American diet
truly is sad.
Also, it gives you somepractical insights into
biohacking your way to claritywith food, and much, much more.
(05:17):
It's normal to feel skepticismregarding new dietary approaches
, specifically if pastexperiences didn't yield the
results you had hoped for.
This book deliversscientifically supported
strategies that aren't aboutgiving up your favorite foods,
but rather about balancing andenhancing your dietary habits.
(05:41):
You don't need hours and hoursof preparation or a hefty
grocery bill, just thewillingness to adopt a few key
changes highlighted in my book.
I guarantee it will help youfor sure.
Steven Killfoil (05:58):
Well, what made you decide to publish a book in
the first place?
Stefan McDermott (06:04):
Well, I'm glad you asked.
You know, ironically, I hadalways wanted to write a book.
I just didn't really know howto go about it.
I had consulted with a lot offriends who had successfully
published books but, to mydismay, had found out the ups
(06:25):
and downs and expenses that tookplace for them, and it wasn't
something that I was willing togo into.
It wasn't until I came acrossMcKelson twins with a AIA
publishing program that madethis journey possible and made
this book come to fruition.
I love those guys.
(06:47):
They really have a program thatis second to none.
And if you're out there andyou're an aspiring author and
you have some great ideas andjust don't know where to get
started, I suggest you look upAIAPublishingcom and begin your
(07:07):
journey and get it done.
It's worth it.
Steven Killfoil (07:12):
Well, what were some of the challenges you
faced when starting?
Stefan McDermott (07:17):
Well, the challenges that I faced getting
started with this book, firstand foremost, were where the
hell do you start?
And the teachings and classesthat they offer at AIA
Publishing help you organize,structuralize and get it done.
(07:39):
They actually have a challenge,a seven-day challenge, where
you can put together a book inseven days.
Hey, I mean, that's going to bemy next book, seven-day book.
Looking forward to thechallenge and now that I know
how to do it, the second bookwill be much easier than the
(08:00):
first, the first book.
Oh wow, time constraints,because working a job and trying
to do this work at the sametime is challenging in itself,
but I managed to organize mytime thanks to the structures
that we were taught in AIAPublishing School.
Steven Killfoil (08:22):
So how did you choose your topic, Brain health?
Stefan McDermott (08:26):
Well, that was part of one of the lessons that
we had in the AIA publishingplatform.
You want to pick a topic thatobviously, if you're going to
publish a book, you're going towant it to make some money.
Yes, you have a passion.
Yes, you want to share out ofthe world, but also you want to
(08:47):
make some money.
Well, they have a concept thingcalled proof of concept, and
they teach you how to do thisand that you just need to go to
the aiacom and enroll yourselfand they will show you how to do
exactly that.
So brain health was a topicthat I had the proof of concept
(09:07):
on, and it showed to be a verylucrative one.
Also just fortunately happenedto be an area of which I have
some expertise in, so hence thebook was born.
Steven Killfoil (09:20):
Do you have any more books for us in the future
?
Stefan McDermott (09:24):
Absolutely, I didn't join AIA Publishing
Academy to play around.
This is something that I'mpassionate about, and I'm
looking forward to producingmany more books in the future as
I build this business up.
My hopes are to eventuallyreplace my full-time job with
(09:50):
writing books exclusively and Iam excited and looking very
forward to doing that andanybody that has this same
desire.
Again, I can't emphasize itmore AIA publishing.
com.
You won't be disappointed.
Steven Killfoil (10:17):
What words of encouragement do you have for
aspiring writers?
Stefan McDermott (10:33):
Well, Steven, like I've been saying all along,
AIA Publishing got me on track.
I always had the passion and Iwanted to write a book.
I just didn't know how thereare so many people out there
saying, well, mind map this ordo that, or go chat GP this and
AI that and just, oh my gosh, aplethora of confusing knowledge.
The Mikkelsen twins have reallynailed it and knocked it out of
the ballpark.
They're not only doing it,they're living it.
(10:56):
They're living the dream andthey want to share that with
everybody.
So, as I say to all aspiringwriters out there, go to
AIAPublishing.
com and start your journey.
(11:18):
You won't be disappointed,definitely.
Steven Killfoil (11:38):
Well, how did you get started in natural
health?
Stefan McDermott (11:39):
Oh, let's see, I got to go back about 15 years
and we were consulting with adoctor whom he was.
He was doing some research andstudies at a university.
He was knowledgeable in innatural health but due to his
nature and studies and research,he really didn't have time to
delve into that.
So he introduced me and my wifeto this natural health person
(12:05):
and, through her and theeducation systems that were
provided for by the company thatshe works for, we managed to
build up a pretty goodrepertoire of natural health
knowledge Foods, vitamins,supplements, herbs, oils.
(12:28):
We went into it very deep andnow it's time to give back.
Now it's time to share with theworld our experiences and what
we have applied all these yearsexperience into, and we're
putting it into book format sowe can share it with the world,
(12:49):
because anybody can do thishonestly.
It's just a matter of you haveto one, you have to want to be
more healthy.
You choose to be healthy orstay sick.
That's the bottom line.
There is no gray area in this.
You either are or you are not.
(13:12):
You either believe in thenatural, holistic approach or
you're going to swallow thepills of the pharmaceutical
hypnotized doctors and you'llhave a shorter lifespan than I.
That I can guarantee you.
I chose to take the naturalpath, as I seen what the
(13:41):
pharmaceutical industry did tomy family it killed my mother.
My father's not doing too goodand, tragically enough, like my
good friend told me, noteverybody's going to get on
board with this.
You just got to love them wherethey're at, and that is so true
, so I share it with as manypeople as I can, and ultimately,
(14:09):
in the end, it's their choice.
They can either take controland do something about it, or
you know you.
All you have to do is pick up anewspaper and see what's going
on.
That's all I have to say aboutnatural health.
Just do it, definitely.
Steven Killfoil (14:30):
Well, is there anything else that you might
like to add to tell us aboutyourself?
Stefan McDermott (14:41):
Well, I'm originally from the Midwest, as
you can tell by my name,pen-named I it to honor my
heritage.
I have a very good heritage ofPrussian and Irish, so my pen
name reflects that, with Stefanand the Irish McDermott.
(15:05):
Pen names are a great thing tohave, so I'm using it and I
encourage anybody else out therethat's wanting to write books
to do the same.
It just it.
It's not that you're trying tohide anything, it's just a fresh
(15:25):
start and a lot of authors usepen names, so I'll leave it at
that.
Steven Killfoil (15:32):
So, Stefan, um, how, how would somebody be able
to reach out to you at thistime for your book?
Stefan McDermott (15:43):
Okay, well, I have an email.
It is stefan@stefanmcdermott.
com, that'sS-T-E-F-A-N-M-C-D-E-R-M-O-T-T
dot com.
So, stefan@stefanmcdermott.
(16:04):
com, you can reach out to me viaemail.
I am taking requests.
So if you would like to have acopy of my book, I'll be happy
to send you a free copy so youcan look at it, review it and
(16:26):
then, when it launches out onAmazon, I'll let you know when
that is, and you can also obtainan actual, free electronic copy
of that book, and I would onlyask that you would put your
honest review up there on Amazon.
We thank you for that andthat's the best way to get in
touch with me.
Right now my team's stillworking on building my Facebook
page out and all those othergoodies that go along with this
(16:51):
publishing journey.
Steven Killfoil (16:52):
Okay, well, again, I want to thank you for
coming on the show today, Stefan.
So you heard it today frompen-named author Stefan
McDermott.
I thank you again for coming onCross Roads Pod cast, Stefan,
and we wish you the best of luckas you write more books.
For questions and comments,email us at crossroads
(17:16):
podcast23@ gmail.
com.
Make sure to check out the townwebsite crossroadstx.
org for local meeting times.
You can also look us up on ourFacebook page, Cross Roads
Podcast.
Make sure to tune in next week,as we will have more amazing
(17:37):
guests on the show.
Until then, I'll see you at thetop!
Crossroads Podcast.
We'll be right back For thosewho want to be in the know.
(01:03):
Who's your daddy?
Good morning, crossroads.
On the show today we have a veryspecial guest, pen-named author
, Stefan McDermott.
I want to thank you, Stefan,for coming on the show today.
Stefan McDermott (01:23):
Well, you're welcome.
Steven Killfoil (01:31):
Why don't you tell us a little bit about
yourself and your new book,achieving Optimal Brain Health
with Nutrition?
Stefan McDermott (01:36):
Certainly, Steven.
Achieve Optimal Brain Healthwith Nutrition is a book that
I've recently completed and itwill be scheduled to launch out
on Amazon March 1st, hopefully,if everything goes right.
It is a book that compiled overabout 15 years of experience in
(01:57):
natural health.
It's an easy-to-follow holisticguide to help boost memory,
mental clarity and cognitivefunction, with recipes and
examples anyone can use daily.
I've broken it out intobasically 12 different chapters
addressing the various needsunderstanding the gut-brain
(02:19):
connection, essential nutrientsfor the brain health, brain
boosting foods and recipes areincluded in this book some
dietary strategies for specificmental health conditions, the
science behind nutritionalpsychiatry, holistic lifestyle
changes for the brain health,overcoming common barriers to
(02:43):
healthy eating, personal successstories and case studies,
interactive tools and resources,expert opinions and scientific
backing and some preventativehealth and long-term strategies.
And finally, in the 12thchapter, beyond the plate,
integrating the mind and thebody To achieve clearer thinking
(03:09):
and enhance mental wellnessthrough the food you eat, even
if you've tried everything else,is a challenge that a lot of us
have these days.
Steven Killfoil (03:19):
Yeah, I know what you mean Exactly.
Are you often confused byconflicting nutritional
information?
Stefan McDermott (03:26):
Oh, yeah, yes, me too.
Have you been seeking naturalremedies to enhance mental
clarity and emotional stabilitybut found it hard to maintain a
satisfying diet?
Or do you aim to embrace ahealthier lifestyle through
nutrition but struggle todiscern what's truly beneficial
(03:47):
for brain health?
This is what inspired me towrite the book.
I mean, after all, hippocrateswas the one who said let food be
thy medicine and medicine bethy food.
My, my, my.
How far we have strayed fromthat simple truth.
(04:08):
But you're not alone.
Many health-consciousindividuals just like you
grapple with similar challenges.
But there's a way to cutthrough the noise and harness
the Power of Nutrition forOptimal Brain Health.
Inside this easy-to-followguide, you will uncover
(04:30):
essential nutrients that play apivotal role in boosting mental
clarity and emotional health.
The scientifically-backedgut-brain connection that can
revolutionize your approach tomental wellness.
That can revolutionize yourapproach to mental wellness.
There's five easy mealsdesigned specifically to enhance
(04:54):
cognitive function, howspecific vitamins and minerals
can impact your brain's health,and how to ensure you're getting
enough, because, as you allknow, the standard American diet
truly is sad.
Also, it gives you somepractical insights into
biohacking your way to claritywith food, and much, much more.
(05:17):
It's normal to feel skepticismregarding new dietary approaches
, specifically if pastexperiences didn't yield the
results you had hoped for.
This book deliversscientifically supported
strategies that aren't aboutgiving up your favorite foods,
but rather about balancing andenhancing your dietary habits.
(05:41):
You don't need hours and hoursof preparation or a hefty
grocery bill, just thewillingness to adopt a few key
changes highlighted in my book.
I guarantee it will help youfor sure.
Steven Killfoil (05:58):
Well, what made you decide to publish a book in
the first place?
Stefan McDermott (06:04):
Well, I'm glad you asked.
You know, ironically, I hadalways wanted to write a book.
I just didn't really know howto go about it.
I had consulted with a lot offriends who had successfully
published books but, to mydismay, had found out the ups
(06:25):
and downs and expenses that tookplace for them, and it wasn't
something that I was willing togo into.
It wasn't until I came acrossMcKelson twins with a AIA
publishing program that madethis journey possible and made
this book come to fruition.
I love those guys.
(06:47):
They really have a program thatis second to none.
And if you're out there andyou're an aspiring author and
you have some great ideas andjust don't know where to get
started, I suggest you look upAIAPublishingcom and begin your
(07:07):
journey and get it done.
It's worth it.
Steven Killfoil (07:12):
Well, what were some of the challenges you
faced when starting?
Stefan McDermott (07:17):
Well, the challenges that I faced getting
started with this book, firstand foremost, were where the
hell do you start?
And the teachings and classesthat they offer at AIA
Publishing help you organize,structuralize and get it done.
(07:39):
They actually have a challenge,a seven-day challenge, where
you can put together a book inseven days.
Hey, I mean, that's going to bemy next book, seven-day book.
Looking forward to thechallenge and now that I know
how to do it, the second bookwill be much easier than the
(08:00):
first, the first book.
Oh wow, time constraints,because working a job and trying
to do this work at the sametime is challenging in itself,
but I managed to organize mytime thanks to the structures
that we were taught in AIAPublishing School.
Steven Killfoil (08:22):
So how did you choose your topic, Brain health?
Stefan McDermott (08:26):
Well, that was part of one of the lessons that
we had in the AIA publishingplatform.
You want to pick a topic thatobviously, if you're going to
publish a book, you're going towant it to make some money.
Yes, you have a passion.
Yes, you want to share out ofthe world, but also you want to
(08:47):
make some money.
Well, they have a concept thingcalled proof of concept, and
they teach you how to do thisand that you just need to go to
the aiacom and enroll yourselfand they will show you how to do
exactly that.
So brain health was a topicthat I had the proof of concept
(09:07):
on, and it showed to be a verylucrative one.
Also just fortunately happenedto be an area of which I have
some expertise in, so hence thebook was born.
Steven Killfoil (09:20):
Do you have any more books for us in the future
?
Stefan McDermott (09:24):
Absolutely, I didn't join AIA Publishing
Academy to play around.
This is something that I'mpassionate about, and I'm
looking forward to producingmany more books in the future as
I build this business up.
My hopes are to eventuallyreplace my full-time job with
(09:50):
writing books exclusively and Iam excited and looking very
forward to doing that andanybody that has this same
desire.
Again, I can't emphasize itmore AIA publishing.
com.
You won't be disappointed.
Steven Killfoil (10:17):
What words of encouragement do you have for
aspiring writers?
Stefan McDermott (10:33):
Well, Steven, like I've been saying all along,
AIA Publishing got me on track.
I always had the passion and Iwanted to write a book.
I just didn't know how thereare so many people out there
saying, well, mind map this ordo that, or go chat GP this and
AI that and just, oh my gosh, aplethora of confusing knowledge.
The Mikkelsen twins have reallynailed it and knocked it out of
the ballpark.
They're not only doing it,they're living it.
(10:56):
They're living the dream andthey want to share that with
everybody.
So, as I say to all aspiringwriters out there, go to
AIAPublishing.
com and start your journey.
(11:18):
You won't be disappointed,definitely.
Steven Killfoil (11:38):
Well, how did you get started in natural
health?
Stefan McDermott (11:39):
Oh, let's see, I got to go back about 15 years
and we were consulting with adoctor whom he was.
He was doing some research andstudies at a university.
He was knowledgeable in innatural health but due to his
nature and studies and research,he really didn't have time to
delve into that.
So he introduced me and my wifeto this natural health person
(12:05):
and, through her and theeducation systems that were
provided for by the company thatshe works for, we managed to
build up a pretty goodrepertoire of natural health
knowledge Foods, vitamins,supplements, herbs, oils.
(12:28):
We went into it very deep andnow it's time to give back.
Now it's time to share with theworld our experiences and what
we have applied all these yearsexperience into, and we're
putting it into book format sowe can share it with the world,
(12:49):
because anybody can do thishonestly.
It's just a matter of you haveto one, you have to want to be
more healthy.
You choose to be healthy orstay sick.
That's the bottom line.
There is no gray area in this.
You either are or you are not.
(13:12):
You either believe in thenatural, holistic approach or
you're going to swallow thepills of the pharmaceutical
hypnotized doctors and you'llhave a shorter lifespan than I.
That I can guarantee you.
I chose to take the naturalpath, as I seen what the
(13:41):
pharmaceutical industry did tomy family it killed my mother.
My father's not doing too goodand, tragically enough, like my
good friend told me, noteverybody's going to get on
board with this.
You just got to love them wherethey're at, and that is so true
, so I share it with as manypeople as I can, and ultimately,
(14:09):
in the end, it's their choice.
They can either take controland do something about it, or
you know you.
All you have to do is pick up anewspaper and see what's going
on.
That's all I have to say aboutnatural health.
Just do it, definitely.
Steven Killfoil (14:30):
Well, is there anything else that you might
like to add to tell us aboutyourself?
Stefan McDermott (14:41):
Well, I'm originally from the Midwest, as
you can tell by my name,pen-named I it to honor my
heritage.
I have a very good heritage ofPrussian and Irish, so my pen
name reflects that, with Stefanand the Irish McDermott.
(15:05):
Pen names are a great thing tohave, so I'm using it and I
encourage anybody else out therethat's wanting to write books
to do the same.
It just it.
It's not that you're trying tohide anything, it's just a fresh
(15:25):
start and a lot of authors usepen names, so I'll leave it at
that.
Steven Killfoil (15:32):
So, Stefan, um, how, how would somebody be able
to reach out to you at thistime for your book?
Stefan McDermott (15:43):
Okay, well, I have an email.
It is stefan@stefanmcdermott.
com, that'sS-T-E-F-A-N-M-C-D-E-R-M-O-T-T
dot com.
So, stefan@stefanmcdermott.
(16:04):
com, you can reach out to me viaemail.
I am taking requests.
So if you would like to have acopy of my book, I'll be happy
to send you a free copy so youcan look at it, review it and
(16:26):
then, when it launches out onAmazon, I'll let you know when
that is, and you can also obtainan actual, free electronic copy
of that book, and I would onlyask that you would put your
honest review up there on Amazon.
We thank you for that andthat's the best way to get in
touch with me.
Right now my team's stillworking on building my Facebook
page out and all those othergoodies that go along with this
(16:51):
publishing journey.
Steven Killfoil (16:52):
Okay, well, again, I want to thank you for
coming on the show today, Stefan.
So you heard it today frompen-named author Stefan
McDermott.
I thank you again for coming onCross Roads Pod cast, Stefan,
and we wish you the best of luckas you write more books.
For questions and comments,email us at crossroads
(17:16):
podcast23@ gmail.
com.
Make sure to check out the townwebsite crossroadstx.
org for local meeting times.
You can also look us up on ourFacebook page, Cross Roads
Podcast.
Make sure to tune in next week,as we will have more amazing
(17:37):
guests on the show.
Until then, I'll see you at thetop!
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