The Journey To Becoming A Female Neuroscientist with Dr.Tara Swart

What was the journey of you becoming a Neuroscientist and the next stages of your career?

I’m the first child of Indian immigrant parents in the UK, and from an early age, it was pretty much decided that I’d become a doctor. I went to medical school at 18. Typically, it's a 2-year pre-clinical and 3-year clinical course, but I took an extra year to earn a BSc in Bio-medical sciences. During that year, I focused entirely on neuro-related subjects—neurophysiology, neuropharmacology—and I also worked in a lab over the summer, which led to a PhD offer. Initially, I thought I was going to become a neurologist, but midway through clinical school, I realised I was more drawn to psychiatry than neurology. Psychiatry appealed to me more because it was more people-centric and focused on the mind, rather than purely physical aspects like brain tumors and strokes, as is the case in neurology.

I completed my junior doctor year in medicine and surgery, as required, and then specialised in psychiatry for seven years. But towards the end of that, I realised I needed a change. I’d been considering it for a while, but leaving medicine was difficult. I’d spent so many years training, and my degree felt like it was only for one specific job. At first, I didn’t  consider I would be able to benefit my new career with my neuroscience PhD. Then I discovered executive coaching, which felt like a great fit. It was goal-oriented and zen, matching my personality perfectly with a lot of transferrable people skills and a deep understanding of how the human mind works.

I started coaching for a couple of years, and as neuroscience became a hot topic in business, I began speaking and writing. Eventually, I became a professor at MIT, which was incredibly exciting. Since then, my career has evolved a lot. After 15 years in coaching, speaking, and writing books, the pandemic forced everything to go online. I designed a 6-week course at MIT called ‘Neuroscience for Business’, which runs five times a year. This allowed me to step away from live teaching. I then took on roles like Chief Science Officer at DIRTEA, where I can align my personal values with the brand. I’m also the Mind ambassador for Healf, another company I’m passionate about.

In 2019, my first solo book, The Source, was published, which combined science and spirituality—a new direction for me. It’s been quite a journey since then, and I’m proud to say that the biggest breakthrough for me came when I appeared on The Diary of a CEO podcast. My episode has become the highest-performing one ever, with over 15 million views on YouTube, and I’m the only woman among the top six which are the only ones with double digit millions of views.

How has your career made you who you are?

My career has completely intertwined with who I am. I’m a bit like a chameleon—I love growth and change and new learning. I don’t have a set routine, and each day is different. In fact, my latest book is all about "neuroaesthetics"—the connection between art, creativity, and nature, and how they influence our minds. This really ties in with my personal interests and hobbies, such as art, creativity, and spending time with friends and community.

In my spare time, I love reading novels and staying up-to-date with research. For my current book, I’ve been reading The Neuroscience of Tarot and Real Magic—books about parapsychological phenomena. I also enjoy listening to BBC Radio 4 on topics like fungi, mitochondria, Plato, and Aristotle. I hope I never stop learning!

What is your personal journey with mushrooms?

In 2008, I was going through a tough time—getting divorced, changing careers, and returning from abroad. It was a very stressful period. I decided to Google "what’s the best thing to do for stress" and ended up going down a rabbit hole, discovering functional mushrooms. I ordered a mixed bag, and they had such a profound effect on me. I remember thinking, "If I ever feel stressed again, this is what I’ll turn to."

In 2022, I walked into a friend's kitchen and saw the DIRTEA tins and thought, “Why haven’t they sent any to me?" I was honestly a little jealous! Then, they did send me some products in 2023, and later Simon got in touch. It took months to finally meet as we were both travelling a lot, and what was supposed to be a quick coffee turned into a 3-hour conversation. We became friends for a year, and eventually, Simon invited me to become their Chief Science Officer. And that’s how I ended up here!

Mushrooms have become my go-to for many reasons. For example, when I had early flights, I’d avoid caffeine, knowing it would stress my system. Instead, I’d drink Lion’s Mane to stay sharp, and it really worked. I also use Cordyceps and Reishi for jetlag. If I don’t have functional mushrooms, I can really feel the difference.

How do you balance a busy life?

I’m probably not as busy as people think. I’m productive with my time, but I really value my downtime. My tribe and quality time with the people I love is my top priority. Work fits in around that.

Most of my work is US-based, so I usually work from lunchtime until about 6 pm, with mornings reserved for admin. I’m a big fan of yoga and weight training, but my absolute favourites are Pilates and long walks in nature.

What is your non-negotiable wellness ritual?

One of my non-negotiable wellness rituals is magnesium baths. I aim for 3-5 baths a week, as it helps with relaxation, mood, and sleep. I also take magnesium spray with me when I travel because it has over 300 functions in the body. It's crucial for neuromuscular health.

I also love to enrich my environment with good-quality essential oils, aromatherapy diffusers, natural wax candles, and incense. This multi-sensory approach really helps create a holistic atmosphere at home.

What advice do you have for other women looking to progress in their career?

I’ve always been inspired by a quote from Steve Jobs: “Follow your passion, and you will be successful.” But it’s important to realise that success doesn’t come easily. I found my path by following my passion, but it took time and soul-searching. I think having a clear sense of purpose is vital for mental health.

When I transitioned out of medicine, I was broke and couldn’t pay my rent. My ex husband helped me out for a while, and I decided not to take on any shifts at the hospital, knowing that I needed to be fully committed to making my new career work. I had to burn the bridge behind me and make it happen.

Networking was key for me. When I left the NHS, I pro-actiively networked because I knew the work wasn’t going to come to me. I met as many people as I could and asked for introductions. That’s what set me apart from others in my coaching cohort.

Who inspires you?

I’ve always been drawn to individuals who combine science and spirituality. Bruce Lipton, Deepak Chopra, and Daniel Siegel all come from medical or scientific backgrounds but have incorporated spirituality into their work. Seeing their careers gave me the confidence to do the same, especially when I started writing The Source. I thought it might be a risk to my career, but it ended up being a huge success.

If I thought The Source was a risk, my next book will be even more daring, as it explores the nature of consciousness and ventures into the mystical. But I’m confident it’s going to be an epic read and hopefully help many people.

How has your mindset shifted in your approach to self-care?

I’ve moved away from New Year’s resolutions and focused on micro-habits. Instead of setting big goals, I set 12 small ones andI tackle three each quarter until they become second nature. By the end of the year, I’ve built up at least ten habits without too much effort.

For me, these include eating more protein, eating until I am 80% full, grounding, a one-hour nature walk, Pilates, journaling, and practising gratitude. I track them using an app called Habit-Share to keep myself accountable.

If I fall off track, I don’t beat myself up. I simply start again. Trusting my intuition has become a big part of my self-care practice. For women, learning to trust your intuition can be a powerful tool, even if it feels risky at times.

What’s your DIRTEA Mushroom routine?

In the mornings, I either drink English breakfast tea or DIRTEA Matcha. If I choose Matcha, I always add other pure mushroom powders to the mix. If I go with breakfast tea, I add Lion’s Mane.

Before my most important call of the day, I take four DIRTEA Gummies—always finishing with my favourite, the Tremella Beauty Gummy. It’s a little ritual that helps me stay grounded and focused.