When the pandemic struck, instead of hunkering down, with her life on hold, Alison Weinlaeder moved into top gear with her brain-child, a new online business melding physical and mental workouts.  The speech-language pathologist, from Saint Paul, Minnesota, wanted to help people improve their cognitive abilities, at the same time as nurturing their cardiovascular fitness. Cardiomelon is a fitness program that puts the essential components of daily health at its core. In this LLAMA podcast interview with Peter Bowes, Alison explains the science behind her novel approach to fitness.  She also shares the challenges and rewards she enjoys through a startup focussed on helping people live longer and better.Recorded: January 22, 2021 | Read a transcript and show notes at the LLAMA podcast website.This episode is brought to you by AgeUp, a new financial product that provides guaranteed supplemental income for people who worry about the financial impact of longevity. To find out more, visit Age-Up.comTopics covered in this interview include:Why we should work on keeping the brain healthy and strong as well as the bodyWorking, as a speech language pathologist, with people who've experienced tragic and traumatic eventsPushing the brain outside its comfort zoneThe challenged posed by virtual therapy for patients with severe brain injuriesLaunching Cardiomelon in the midst of a pandemicIsn't it just normal to forget things as we get older? Empowering people through brain-focussed exercise How gardening  and walking can help boost brain performance.Building a brain workout programme based on the concepts of rehabilitation - the principles of neuroplasticityWhy you've got to use it to improve itWhy just doing mental workouts, without always succeeding in a challenge, will improve brain health  Never too late or early to start.  Partnering with Hilarity for Charity with a mission to educate people in their 20s about poor heaFlexBeam red light therapyRecharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners an $80.00 discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, the wearable red light therapy device which targets key parts of the body to improve sleep, treat injuries and sooth aches and pains associated with aging.  Use code LLAMA at checkout DoNotAgeDoNotAge.org is offering listeners to LLAMA a 10% discount on its range of products – NAD boosters, Sirtuin activators, senolytics and more.  Any health queries can be answered by emailing the team at hello@donotage.orgUse the code LLAMA at checkout. - Time-line Mitopure (a highly pure form of Urolithin A) boosts the health of our mitochondria – the battery packs of our cells – and improves muscle strength. Time-line is offering LLAMA listeners a 10% discount on its range of products – Mitopure powders, softgels & skin creams.  Use the code LLAMA at checkout-Support the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.