Ten Terrifying Questions with Alexis Fernandez!

As a Pilates instructor and personal trainer, Alexis Fernandez always loved helping people smash their fitness goals, but she had a hankering to go back to uni. Alexis loves the brain for its complexity and the wonderful things that can happen when we work with our brains, not against them. This passion became her life’s purpose: she returned to uni to study neuroscience, started the hit podcast Do You F***king Mind? and helps people to align their physical and mindset training every day through tailored workouts and strategies. Be Bold: Manifest Your Dream Life is her first book.

Today, Alexis Fernandez is on the blog to take on our Ten Terrifying Questions – read on!

Alexis Fernandez

1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?

I was born in Sydney, and lived here until I was ten. My family and I then moved to Noosa for a change, which turned out to be the best experience. I did all of high school there, but because it’s not a big city, most people leave to study, or travel. So I did one year back in Sydney, and then moved to Brisbane to study my undergraduate degree in cognitive neuroscience.

What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?

At twelve I wanted to be a defence lawyer, because I was always defending my sister every time she got in trouble, and thought I was very skilled at it (my mum always called me ‘the defender of lost cases’). At eighteen I wanted to be an actor – I studied acting in Sydney, did a few small roles in films and thought this was all I would ever want in life. At thirty I decided I wanted to combine my love for performing and my love for neuroscience because I didn’t want to do one without the other. That’s how my podcast came about.

What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you don’t have now?

That ageing was something to be feared. I used to think that as a woman, who wanted to be an actor, I would have an ‘expiry date’. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Now I relish every year that I age, not feeling in competition with anyone, but instead feeling grateful for the ability to continue to learn and teach and grow. I am now excited about what life can bring instead of fearing that I’m ‘getting old’. I don’t do that anymore, and I think this change came because I found a purpose that fulfils me.

What are three works of art – this could be a book, painting, piece of music, film, etc – that influenced your development as a writer?

Given that my book is non-fiction, my influences are also non-fiction works of art: The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge, Brené Brown’s The Call to Courage on Netflix, and J.K. Rowling’s Commencement Speech at Harvard.

Considering the many artistic forms out there, what appeals to you about writing non-fiction?

My biggest love above all is the brain! I love to study it, talk about it and teach others about it. So for me, writing about the brain and mind is the most appealing thing. It just happens to be non-fiction!

Please tell us about your latest book!

This book is a reflection of my podcast. I write about how our thought patterns and actions influence how our brains are wired, and how much can be re-wired and changed by altering our behaviours. Our brains are plastic and ever-changing, so we should treat them that way. I also make people take more ownership over what they can change in their life, and learn to let go of what they can’t change so it doesn’t affect them so much. This way they are able to put their energy and focus into creating a life for themselves that they actually want.

What do you hope people take away with them after reading your work?

I hope people realise that they are the ones in control. If you can control how you perceive things, and how you respond to things, you can determine your happiness. How we feel ultimately comes down to what is going on in our heads. But most people think that how they feel is a reflection of what is going on outside of them. That is not the case. I want people to realise that they already possess all the tools to live the life they want. They just need to access them.

Who do you most admire in the writing world and why?

Eckhart Tolle. He has an incredible ability to get people to look within, and change their thoughts and feelings in an instant. The way he can impact and influence so many lives is what I admire the most about him and his work.

Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?

Ha! Mine is also big. I would love to have a Netflix show about the brain and mind.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Start before you are ready. There is no better way to learn and to level up then by actually doing the work. You may surprise yourself.

Thank you for playing!

—Be Bold: Manifest Your Dream Life by Alexis Fernandez (Affirm Press) is out now.

Be Bold

Manifest Your Dream Life

by Alexis Fernandez

Your brain is both your greatest cheerleader and your worst enemy; it's just a matter of taking action and learning (and unlearning) how to unlock the very best version of you. This is your personal guide to a mindset renovation because your best life is closer than you think.

Now is the moment to say yes, take the leap and be bold. Commit and give yourself the very best shot at turning that big, scary, brilliant thing you're dreaming of into reality...

Order NowRead More

No comments Share:

About the Contributor

Booktopia