Dave Gallagher, the CognitvExplorer, is a unique blend: by day a cognitive neuroscientist, by night an adventurer and extreme sports enthusiast. Though sometimes its the other way round.  For he blends exploration and neuroscience seemlessly into his everyday existence.  

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His lifelong quest is to discover how we can all benefit from being more adventurous in our lives.  A burning question drives him to pursue science and adventure in equal measure: where in the brain does the spark of adventure originate, and how can we turn this on to ignite purpose and forge resilience?  

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From anxious beginnings as a child crippled with insecurity and limiting beliefs, he found the trigger within and set off on an adventure-filled journey that has taken him to the far reaches of the globe.  Along the way he studied how the brain adapts to extreme environments, focuses on aspirational goals, thrives on pressure, and harness fear as fuel.  

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He learnt to take the brakes off, and to progress from incremental first steps, in the mountains, out at sea, in the wilderness, to exponential leaps into the unknown.  His passion is to share what he has learnt with others so that anyone can ignite that adventurous spark, challenge themselves and unlock potential.

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Keynote speaker, research scientist, Mountain Leader, and now author, Dave has set down the story of how he became more self-proficient, and developed the mindset to undertake challenges including hight altitude mountaineering, diving under ice in the Arctic, and extreme sports activities including BASE jumping.  The result is The Excitement Switch® - Turn your Brain onto Adventure. The book and the framework it outlines, unveils a roadmap to turn on Adventure Mode - a state of mind that is focused, purposeful, resilient, adaptive and capable of using fear and stress to advantage: to break through self-limitations and stretch personal boundaries to greater personal and professional success and fulfilment!