Dr. Phillippe Douyon has a theory as to why Serena Williams seems so superhuman. The 37-year-old can win 23 Grand Slams, run successful businesses, pick up college degrees, launch a fashion line and speak multiple languages.
"It is my opinion that Serena’s ability to do all of that while becoming the greatest tennis player in the Open era and one of the greatest athletes of our time, is likely the result of how her brain has evolved," Douyon told Baseline. "In all likelihood, the brains of athletes learn more efficiently and function more optimally than those of us who live sedentary lives."
Douyon is a neurologist, the author of Neuroplasticity: Your Brain's Superpower and the founder and CEO of The Inle BrainFit Institute. He also just launched an app, Dr. Douyon's BrainFit, which teaches children and adults about how exercise boosts brain health.
"We used to think that after a certain age you don't make new neurons or connections anymore, but the reality is you can the entire span of your life as long as you're giving your brain what it needs," Douyon said. "Part of that is moving and exercising."