I am grateful to the many people who had a hand in helping me produce Spark.
Phil Lawler and Paul Zientarski, along with their staff at the schools in Naperville District 203, were a constant source of inspiration. The fitness-oriented model of physical education they created brings life to the growing evidence of how exercise builds a better brain. Their revolutionary slant on gym class has improved the academic performance and the lives of their students. Equally important, it has established an atmosphere in which PE teachers have the freedom and desire to try new ideas that might have a positive impact on their charges. In spirit and in practice, Lawler and Zientarski are researchers themselves — relentless, courageous, and curious.
A special mention goes to Neil Duncan and his students from Zero Hour PE, as well as their literacy teachers Maxyne Kozil and Debbie St. Vincent, for opening a window onto the Naperville ethos.
Anne Flannery and the staff at PE4life were a great help in pointing out other communities where the Naperville model has taken root. Titusville, Pennsylvania, is just one example, and Tim McCord spent hours relating the effects of the program there.
Hearty thanks go to all the neuroscientists and experts we interviewed, for their generosity of time and assistance. They include James Blumenthal, Alyson Bond, Craig Broeder, Darla Castelli, Eero Castrén, Maureen Dezell, Rodney Dishman, Wayne Drevets, Andrea Dunn, Brian Duscha, Panteleimon Ekkekakis, Fred Gage, Sam Goldstein, Elizabeth Gould, William Greenough, Thom Hartmann, Charles Hillman, Marian Joels, Dean Karnazes, Arthur Kramer, Helen Mayberg, Bruce McEwen, Ina Mullis, Peter Provet, Robert Pyles, Amelia Russo-Neustadt, Terry Robinson, Jennifer Shaw, Tracey Shors, Scott Small, June Smedley, Dean Solden, John Tavolacci, Gene-Jack Wang, Jennifer Weuve, and Martin Wojtowicz. I am particularly thankful to Carl Cotman and Mark Mattson, whose research and insights opened my eyes to the intracellular benefits of exercise. I can only hope to emulate their passion for discovery.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the patients and friends who agreed to share their stories, and to the many others whose experiences were incorporated in short form to make these pages come alive.
My editor, Tracy Behar, and the staff at Little, Brown were so excited about this book that they volunteered for a six-month study on how increasing their levels of exercise would affect them. Their unbridled interest added fuel to the fire, which helped bring the manuscript across the finish line. Brooke Stetson, my conduit to Tracy, was ever-enthusiastic in her encouragement.
My agent and tireless advocate, Jill Kneerim, brought shape to my vision and helped to structure the book from the outset. And Elisabeth Weed connected Eric Hagerman and me in the first place.
Thanks to those who read parts of the manuscript and provided valuable feedback, including my sister, Veronica Crain; Dave Goodrich; Allen Ivey; Eric’s mother, Judy Sinderson; and his friend Stephen Milioti, among many others. Jacob Sattelmair took valuable time away from his PhD program to discuss the science on many occasions. I am indebted to Ned Hallowell, first my student and then my teacher, who demanded many years ago that we hold sacred a weekly slot for squash and fellowship. It was Ned too, who introduced me to Simon Zaltzman, a master trainer who never fails to challenge me with a torture du jour. Thanks to Ben Lopez for his friendship, his thoughts on the book, as well as his generosity in turning over his house by the sea when I was looking for a place to start.
My assistant, Mary Haroun, has been invaluable — guiding me through the myriad details associated with the process. She handled a multitude of issues that freed up the time I needed to devote to the book. Most important, she has been a friend, a rock, and a source of strength, cheering me forward at every turn. Likewise, I couldn’t have done without the friendship, support, and emergency technical assistance of Mary’s husband, Majdi Haroun.
Eric proved to be more than a collaborator and cowriter. He challenged my hop-and-skip brain to stay focused and pushed me to make him understand what I was trying to communicate. His ability to grind it out and to help crystallize two gigabytes’ worth of scientific papers was essential in bringing this book to heel. We spent many a day together hammering out the pages and growing in the process. His writing has been superb and his passion indispensable. I appreciate the sacrifice in time spent away from his beloved partner, Christelle.
One of the hardest parts of writing this book was sustaining the energy over a two-year period, something that would have been insurmountable without the support, encouragement, and love of my family, friends, and colleagues. Thank you all for being there when I needed you. I am especially grateful to my wonderful daughters, Jessica and Kathryn, and new son-in-law Aaron Cohen, for their suggestions on the manuscript and unwavering support.
And finally, to my wife, Nancy, who while finishing her own book somehow found the strength and understanding to allow me the time to finish mine. She was my champion throughout.