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Dear Students,
We’re excited to invite you to the first of four Brain Fitness webinars this semester!
🧠 Webinar 1: Brain Myths & Alzheimer’s: Fact vs. Fiction
📅 Wednesday, October 8
🕐 1:00–2:30 PM
🔗 [RSVP here] (https://forms.gle/toakAk4eapazADtg6)
– Once you register, we’ll send you the Zoom link.
📎 Flyer attached for more detail
Please feel free to share the RSVP link with anyone who might be interested.
This Week: Gender, Sex & the Brain - Biological, Social & Transgender Research
Gender and sex are often spoken of as simple, fixed categories—but research in biology, neuroscience, and the social sciences tells a more complex story. In this webinar, we’ll explore:
How sex exists on a spectrum, not just male or female
The role of intersex variations in natural human diversity
How gender is a social construct shaped by culture, history, and identity
The brain’s role in gender identity and expression
The science behind transgender and nonbinary experiences
Why affirming care and inclusion are essential for mental health and well-being
Last Week: Habits & the Brain – How They Form and How to Break Them
Last week, we explored how habits are powerful automatic behaviors formed through repetition, helping our brains save energy by running on “autopilot.” Habits follow a loop:
👉 Cue (trigger) → Routine (behavior) → Reward (payoff)
Habits can be difficult to break—but they can be replaced. Here’s how:
Avoid known triggers
Swap in healthier routines
Make new behaviors rewarding
Use visual cues, the 2-minute rule, or habit stacking
Reinforce new habits with rewards and habit tracking
Create accountability and adopt an identity-based mindset (e.g., “I’m a healthy person”)
Plan for setbacks using the “never miss twice” rule
Remember: Small, consistent actions lead to lasting transformation.
Topics Zoom Sessions
Monday, 9:30 - 11:30 AM (Erika Peralta, Instructor)
Tuesday, 10-12 PM (Minoo Pakgohar, Instructor)
Wednesday 9:30 - 11:30 AM (Minoo Pakgohar, Instructor)
Wednesday 6:30 – 8: 30 PM (Charisse Winston, Instructor)
Thursday 10 - 12:00 PM (Charisse Winston, Instructor)
Thursday 1:00 - 3:00 PM (Sharon Gregory, Instructor)
Friday 9:30 - 11:30 AM (Erika Peralta, Instructor)
Special topics (separate registration)
Brain Fitness Lab: Cognitive Wellness Through Hands-On Exercises and Living Stories, Monday 10:00 – 12:00 PM (Yael Lorberfeld, Instructor)
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease: Insights and Strategies for Care and Support, Tuesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM (Minoo Pakgohar, instructor)
Diverse Approaches to Brain Health, Tuesday 6:00 - 8:00 PM (Mindy Sloan, Instructor)
Remember, as a Brain Fitness student you are welcome to attend any of the Brain Fitness classes, even more than one a week.
Quick Links (all blue colored & underlined words are live links)
Course website: bfclass.com
BrainHQ site: https://v4.brainhq.com/
Student site with schedule and more: sdcestudent55.com
Site to enroll in classes: myportal.sdccd.edu
Official SDCCE site: sdcce.edu
Enjoy a brain-healthy week! We look forward to seeing you in next week.
Mindy, Yael, Sharon, Erica, Charisse, Desiree & Minoo
Mindy Jo Sloan, Ph.D.
msloan@sdccd.edu
Yael Lorberfeld. MA
Yloberfeld@sdccd.edu
Sharon Gregory
sgregory001@sdccd.edu
Erica Peralta, MS
eperalta@sdccd.edu
Charisse Winston, Ph.D.
Desirree Harguess, DPT
dharguess@sdccd.edu
Minoo Pakgohar, Ph.D.
mpakgohar@sdccd.edu
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