LAKE NONA, Fla. — After a few traumatic brain injuries, a former University of Central Florida footballer pivoted in a career in neuroscience, even journeying in rehabbing his cognitive health.

What You Need To Know

  • Neuroplasticity is the study that the brain can change and is in a constant state of evolving

  • Former-UCF football player Dr. Tommy Shavers’ athletic career was cut short after a number of head injuries, which started his own cognitive health journey

  • It was then that NESTRE Performance was born

  • According to the National Institute on Aging, keep your mind active, like reading or learning a new language, get plenty of rest and eat healthy

Neuroplasticity is a relatively newer science. It is the study that the brain can change and is in a constant state of evolving. A way to expand someone’s plasticity depends on the age and stage of life someone is at.

“We’re looking at making mind and brain fitness a lifestyle for every human performer,” said Dr. Tommy Shavers.  

The former UCF football player’ athletic career was cut short after a number of head injuries, but it started his own cognitive health journey.

“My wife was told to get our affairs in order, that she’s going to have to take care of me later in life. I didn’t accept that narrative, created my own model mental and cognitive recovery,” said Shavers.

It was then that NESTRE Performance was born. Utilizing neuroscience and AI/machine learning technology, it allows Shavers to scan and analyze someone’s brain, giving them specific activities to potentially enhance someone’s neuroplasticity. Taking his lessons from college football, it is translated onto the business side.

“We’re excited about this vision of what if we took a fitness, as opposed to illness approach to mental and cognitive betterment. Not only could we potentially give people hope and opportunities to exercise for the neck up. But we got excited about the possibilities of what if we could actually raise and elevate the baseline of human potential,” said Shavers. 

There are other ways a person can help their cognitive health. According to the National Institute on Aging, keep your mind active, like reading or learning a new language, get plenty of rest and eat healthy. For Shavers, this is only the beginning.

“If you’re injured you can be rehabbed and you can get back out there and perform. I believe the same thing from my mind and head injuries. I took that and created a framework around it and began to apply everyday life experiences in a way that would challenge and create cognitive recovery,” said Shavers.

He doesn’t just want to make his mark in Central Florida, but he wants to change the mindset of how people not only exercise their body, but their brain.