Interview: Author and Speaker Dr. Tali Sharot Talks Career and MOTRIN #WOMANINPROGRESS Campaign

We interviewed renowned author, Dr. Tali Sharot about her career, books, and MOTRIN's #WomanInProgress campaign.

Dr. Tali Sharot is an associate professor of cognitive neuroscience in the department of Experimental Psychology and director of the Affective Brain Lab at University College London. She received her Ph.D. in psychology and neuroscience from New York University. Dr. Sharot is known for her research on the neural basis of emotion, decision making and optimism. In her books "The Optimism Bias" and "The Science of Optimism," she describes the evolutionary benefits of unrealistic optimism along with its dangers. Her newest book, "The Influential Mind" will be released in September of 2017.

Broadwayworld recently had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Sharot speak at the launch of MOTRIN's #WomanInProgress campaign. She participated with a panel of other engaging women that included Tracee Ellis Ross, Gabby Bernstein, Ana Flores, and Jessamyn Stanley. MOTRIN's #WomanInProgress campaign is helping to inspire women to shift the way they look at painful moments and empower them to see that pain can be progress.

Sharot talked to us about some of the inspirations for her career. She told us that she was fascinated with human nature from a young age. She also spoke about one of her most influential mentors. "I learned great deal from my Phd. Advisor, Liz Phelps who I observed for seven years in her lab." And now, as she mentors her own students, she commented, "I learn from them as they learn from me."

Sharot often lectures to diverse groups from firefighters to people working in top financial firms. "By discussing my work and talking to the public, the events provide very interesting question and answer forums. Sharot is well known for her TED Talk, "The optimism bias" that has received nearly two million views.

We wanted to know why her books have proven so popular with the general public. "There's a hunger for people to understand the mind. They are fascinated by this topic and want to know about research and its implications."

Sharot talked to us about MOTRIN's #WomenInProgress campaign. "The campaign is a message of reforming negative experiences both physical and psychological. There's pain after a workout or after childbirth and these pains have positive outcomes. With psychological pain, one can practice control, refraining from negative. It does matter how we think about it. We have the control to reframe our experiences to create positive outcomes."

With all of her successes, we asked Tali Sharot for some advice for our readers who are working to achieve their own career goals. "When you find what you're interested in, jump in. Try and try again. Put in the effort to pursue your passions and believe in yourself."

Learn more about the #WomanInProgress campaign at YouTube.com/MOTRIN.

To purchase Tali Sharot's books, visit Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Tali-Sharot/e/B004ANWOX4.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of #WomanInProgress

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