Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Greetings! I am an integrative health educator with a passion for helping people experience their peak potential. I recently finished my first book in a series of books on integrative health.
Since 2005 I have been immersed in the health world and been fascinated by the various strategies that exist to help optimize our experience as humans. But unfortunately I have often found it difficult to find books or teachers that arranged the health information into actionable steps. Sure philosophizing about health is great, but I was seeking ways to integrate the best teachings together into protocols that can be applied to anyone’s life.
Because I couldn’t find what I was looking for I decided to make it myself! This was part of the inspiration for making my Integrative Health Protocols Series.
Besides being a health geek, I am an avid outdoor enthusiast, drummer, and happy husband living with my wife in beautiful Boulder, Colorado.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am excited to announce the launch of the first book in my series Integrative Health Protocols! It is called Integrative Brain Health Protocol and was inspired by the story of my now deceased grandfather. He struggled with Alzheimer’s Disease until he passed and I witnessed the progression of the disease and the tool it took on him and all of our family.
To my utter amazement, during the process a nurse had recommended B-12 injections for him and we decided he show do it. Within a few hours after getting an injection of this extremely important neurological nutrient, he would “come back to life!” He would start remembering who we were, could have conversations with us (which he couldn’t do before), and seemed lively and spirited.
The effects didn’t last long, but they left a long term impression on me to seek out and understand how we can support the brain and possibly even prevent cognitive decline. My quest led me to get a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and study herbalism to find natural answers for how to feed and nourish cognitive function.
After 12+ years now of intensive study into integrative health, with a focus on brain health, I am happy to say that there are many different strategies that we can employ to assist with the health of perhaps our most important organ. I have also seen how prevention is the key and not waiting for symptoms to develop before we take action.
My latest book is a synthesis of all the research verified techniques I have learned made into an easy to apply 7-Step Program.
I hope you will check it out! And remember it is free from 12/25 to 12/29 and then only $0.99 until 12/31!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Because my writing requires technical precision, my favorite technique to get me in the zone is to bounce on my rebounder for 10 minutes and then consume a drink of yerba mate for a healthy stimulation of my mental faculties.
Besides that I like to do a headstand while chanting “I am an amazing writer” for 10 minutes… just kidding!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen Buhner and his books on herbalism and plant intelligence. Daniel Vitalis and his blog on rewilding. Arthur Haines and his writings on ancestral wisdom (he also has a new book coming out called A New Path that sounds amazing!). I also really like the site examine.com for its detailed breakdown of clinical studies done with a variety of health practices.
What are you working on now?
I am now working on the second book of my integrative health Protocols Series called Integrative Stress Management Protocol.
It is also a 7-Step Program to help reduce stress, anxiety, and support the adrenal glands. It is already well underway so should be out in early 2017!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hmmm, good question. Instagram has been a great platform to connect with my audience and share pictures related to my books and work, but I have also been enjoying twitter lately.
Other than those, my own website www.tristansummerfield.com has been my main tool to promote my books and health services.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Work backwards! Think about your target market, look into their pain points, and collect data on the saturation of your niche before you write your book! Writing for writings sake is still great, however, if you want to get your book out there and have it help support your writing career, then I highly recommend you do your due diligence before plunging into the content of the book you “think” you should write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust in Nature. 5 billion years of emergent evolution knows best. Follow Nature’s lead!
What are you reading now?
Coyote America by Dan Flores. This an amazing treatise on the history of the Coyote in the Americas and it’s special relationship with humans.
Fascinating read for those interested in Natural History and how humans and animals have created mutually beneficial bonds.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Exploring other platform besides Amazon for marketing my book. This includes gumroad, kobo, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, and others.
After that I am going to look into getting my book translated into Japanese! They seem to have a passion for brain health there, so I would love to share my work with that market!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. Plant Intelligence by Stephen Buhner
2. Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods From Dirt To Plate by John Kallas
3. Ecoshamanism by James Endredy
Author Websites and Profiles
Tristan Summerfield Website
Tristan Summerfield Amazon Profile
Tristan Summerfield’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account