From Scientist to Founder to Mentor: Why I Co-Founded Headstrong to Support Brain Health in Athletes
Dr. Darren Burke on building Headstrong, mentoring the next generation, and advancing brain-first sports nutrition
There are moments in a career where everything you have done up to that point begins to converge.
For me, Headstrong is one of those moments.
As a lifelong athlete, an exercise physiologist, and a scientist who has spent years studying human performance, I have always been drawn to one question:
How do we help people perform at their best, consistently, under pressure?
For most of my career, the answers have focused on the body. Strength. Endurance. Recovery. Fueling.
But increasingly, both the science and the lived experience of athletes have made something clear:
Performance is driven by the brain.
Why We Built Headstrong
Headstrong was born out of a simple but important gap.
Working with athletes across levels, and through my own experience in sport and science, I saw an entire industry built around physical performance, yet almost nothing addressing brain health, cognitive function, and mental resilience, especially in athletes exposed to contact and concussion risk.
At the same time, conversations around concussion, long-term brain health, and mental health in sport were accelerating.
The science was evolving. Awareness was growing.
But practical, trusted solutions for athletes were limited.
That is where Headstrong began.
The Power of Mentorship and Partnership
One of the most rewarding aspects of this chapter of my career has been the opportunity to mentor founders and build alongside them.
Headstrong is a perfect example.
Co-founding the company with Evan Nause, a professional hockey player, has been a deeply meaningful experience. Evan brings the lived reality of high-performance sport. I bring the scientific and entrepreneurial lens.
Together, we are building something that neither of us could have built alone.
This is how I think about my role today:
- I mentor founders
- I provide access to resources, including capital and expertise
- I help shape strategy, systems, and execution
- And importantly, I share in the heavy lifting
Working with bright, ambitious, driven founders like Evan is energizing. It is also, in many ways, my way of giving back to entrepreneurship after years of building companies myself.
Translating Science Into Real-World Impact
The original Headstrong formulation reflects something I have always believed:
Science only matters if it is applied.
There is a growing body of research exploring:
- Brain energy metabolism
- Oxidative stress and neurological strain
- Neurotransmitter function under pressure
- The connection between brain health and mental health
But much of this work has remained fragmented, or confined to academic settings.
With Headstrong, we set out to translate that science into a practical, athlete-ready formulation.
A Brain-First Formulation
The Headstrong formula was designed using research-informed dosages of ingredients selected for their role in supporting normal brain function:
- Creatine Monohydrate for brain energy metabolism and cognitive performance under stress
- N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) to support antioxidant systems and cellular resilience
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom for its association with neuroplasticity and nerve growth factor
- Ashwagandha to help regulate stress response and support mental well-being
- L-Tyrosine as a precursor to key neurotransmitters involved in focus and performance
These ingredients are individually studied. What is different is how they are combined, dosed, and positioned specifically for athletes.
Responsible Innovation in a Complex Category
It is important to say this clearly.
Headstrong is a dietary supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent concussion or any medical condition.
What it is designed to do is support the normal physiological systems that underpin brain function, including energy production, antioxidant defense, and neurotransmitter balance.
This distinction matters, both scientifically and from a regulatory perspective.
At the same time, I believe there is room, and responsibility, to push the category forward in a thoughtful and evidence-informed way.
Raising the Standard: NSF Certified for Sport
Trust is everything in sport.
That is why achieving NSF Certified for Sport® status was a priority from day one.
For athletes, this means:
- No banned substances
- Verified label accuracy
- Confidence in what they are putting into their bodies
For us, it reflects a commitment to doing things the right way.
A Broader Shift: From Body to Brain
What we are seeing now is a shift.
Athletes, coaches, and organizations are beginning to recognize that:
- Brain health is performance
- Mental health is performance
- Cognitive resilience is performance
This is not a niche conversation anymore. It is becoming central to how we think about training, recovery, and longevity in sport.
Why This Work Matters to Me
At this stage of my career, I am as motivated by impact as I am by building.
Headstrong sits at the intersection of everything I care about:
- Science
- Performance
- Entrepreneurship
- Mentorship
- And increasingly, giving back
To co-found this company with Evan, to help guide its direction, and to contribute to a new category in sports nutrition has been incredibly rewarding.
And in many ways, it represents the next phase of my work:
Building with others, not just for myself.
Looking Ahead
We are still early.
But the opportunity is clear.
To build a trusted, science-based platform for brain health in sport.
To support athletes not just physically, but cognitively and mentally.
To continue learning, iterating, and improving.
And to do it alongside the next generation of founders.
FAQs
What is Headstrong?
Headstrong is a brain-first sports nutrition company co-founded by Dr. Darren Burke and professional hockey player Evan Nause. It was created to support brain health, mental performance, and resilience in athletes.
Why did Dr. Darren Burke co-found Headstrong?
Dr. Darren Burke co-founded Headstrong to help address a gap in sports nutrition. While most products focus on muscles, energy, and recovery, Headstrong was created to support the brain, especially for athletes exposed to contact, stress, and concussion risk.
Is Headstrong a concussion treatment or prevention product?
No. Headstrong is a dietary supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent concussion or any medical condition. It is designed to support normal physiological processes related to brain function and mental performance.
What makes the Headstrong formulation different?
The Headstrong formulation combines research-informed dosages of key ingredients associated with brain energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, stress response, and neurotransmitter support. It brings together ingredients not commonly combined into one athlete-focused product.
What ingredients are in the original Headstrong formulation?
The original Headstrong formulation includes Creatine Monohydrate, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Ashwagandha, and L-Tyrosine.
How does creatine support brain health?
Creatine is best known for physical performance, but it also helps support cellular energy production in the brain. This has made it an important ingredient in discussions around cognitive performance and brain energy metabolism.
Why is N-Acetyl Cysteine included in Headstrong?
N-Acetyl Cysteine, often called NAC, helps support glutathione production, one of the body’s key antioxidant systems. It is included because of interest in oxidative stress, resilience, and neurological support.
What is the connection between brain health and mental health in athletes?
Brain health and mental health are closely linked. Factors such as energy metabolism, stress response, inflammation, sleep, and neurotransmitter balance can influence both cognitive performance and psychological well-being in athletes.
Is Headstrong NSF Certified for Sport?
Yes. Headstrong is NSF Certified for Sport®, which means it has undergone testing for banned substances and label accuracy, making it suitable for athletes who require a high level of trust and compliance.
How does Headstrong connect to Dr. Darren Burke’s work as a mentor and entrepreneur?
Headstrong reflects Dr. Darren Burke’s broader work as a scientist-entrepreneur who mentors ambitious founders, contributes capital and expertise, and helps build companies alongside high-potential leaders like Evan Nause.