In her debut book Heads Up, Clara - a former GP and founder of Noggin - calls for a new kind of self-care, and this is one that doesn’t just soothe us in the moment. Rather, this is one that strengthens the very core of who we truly are: our brain.
A deeply personal journey
Clara’s journey into brain health is deeply personal. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she began to question the way we approach wellness, and in particular, the lack of importance placed on our mind and brain. Why do we so often wait until things go wrong before we think about looking after our brains? And what if, instead of waiting, we could make small, powerful changes that boost our cognitive health, energy and resilience every single day?
This is the heart of Heads Up: a warm, accessible guide that invites us to get curious about our brains and how we can better support them. Clara draws on her years of experience as a GP, alongside emerging neurological research, to break down what’s really going on inside our heads and how we can take action that genuinely helps.
The book is cleverly structured around 13 bite-sized lessons, each one focused on a different area of our lives. From how we sleep, to what we eat, how we manage stress, and even the people we surround ourselves with, it’s all written in a way that feels doable, not daunting. Clara’s message isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress, and giving our brains what they need to thrive.
A refreshing approach
What’s refreshing about Heads Up is how it brings together so many of the things we’re already thinking about - mood swings, hormone imbalance, burnout, lack of focus - and shows us the common thread: brain health. Clara doesn’t lecture or overwhelm. She simply offers clear, science-backed advice to help us understand what our brains need to function well. That includes things we too often overlook; like creativity, movement, meaningful connection, and balanced nutrition.
As the founder of Noggin, a range of brain-focused nutritional supplements, Clara has already spent years building tools to support people’s everyday cognitive health. But the book goes beyond that now. Heads Up is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and make choices that protect and support one of the most important (and often neglected) parts of our bodies.
Her approach is grounded but hopeful. Rather than piling on pressure to do more, Heads Up offers readers a sense of control and clarity. It encourages us to listen to what our brains are telling us - whether that’s a need for more rest, better food, or even a bit more joy - and respond with care and intention.
From the mental load to the juggle
In a world where many of us are navigating huge mental loads, juggling the demands of family, work, and everything in between, it’s a timely reminder that real self-care starts from the inside out, and top down. If we centre our brain in everything we do, we can protect not only our cognitive health, but also our whole body health, too.
So if you’ve been feeling foggy, fatigued, or just generally a bit ‘off’, this might be the book that helps you truly reconnect with yourself, and most importantly, your brain. Because looking after your brain doesn’t need to be complicated, as Clara shows us.
Heads Up is out now and available to order online and in all good bookshops.
