James Garrett

James Garrett is a neuroscience entrepreneur, brain coach, and founder of Brain by Design, a platform focused on applying brain science to personal and professional development. As a researcher, Garrett worked in psychology labs at Columbia, Tufts, and Yale Universities before transitioning from academia to bring behavioral science into practical, everyday use. For more than a decade, he has studied and taught the psychology of success, emphasizing the neuroscience behind human thriving and translating academic research into actionable strategies for behavior change.

Before establishing Brain by Design, Garrett joined the Peace Corps and, alongside his wife, developed an Arabic language curriculum that introduced Carol Dweck's Mindset research to Jordanian youth. Through their nonprofit, Think Unlimited, they collaborated with Queen Rania Al-Abdullah to train Jordanian public school teachers in the region's first brain-based positive psychology curriculum. Garrett's work in the Middle East has been featured by The New York Times, Fast Company, and TEDx. After returning to the United States, he founded Brain by Design, where he has taught courses, coached individuals, trained coaches, consulted for organizations, and spoken to audiences globally on topics such as neuroplasticity, brain health, and evidence-based coaching.

Garrett's expertise is informed by personal experience, having managed OCD since childhood. The concept of neuroplasticity became central to his own journey, shaping his approach to neuroscience and mental health. He launched the Deep Change Project, an initiative exploring confidence-building and overcoming fear through neuroscience, mindfulness, and evidence-based practices. This personal connection informs Garrett's work and approach to brain-based transformation.

Garrett has spoken at venues including Harvard and TEDx, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, Fast Company, and Harvard Business Review. His course, "Brain Science for Coaches," is accredited by the International Coaching Federation for 30 Continuing Coach Education units. Garrett continues to advance the science of neuroplasticity, focusing on practical tools for brain health, behavior change, and human potential.