Claim Your Brain: Your Practical Guide to TrU Mental Health

by Jocelyn Pepe

Real Tools for Real A Science-and-Soul Mental Health ResetFeel better, think clearer, and take back control of your mental health—without burning out, numbing out, or giving up.

You don’t need another vague self-care checklist. You need something real. Something rooted in science, grounded in soul, and built for people who are trying to hold it all together while quietly falling apart.

Claim Your Brain is a science-backed, soul-guided workbook to help you reconnect with yourself and feel like you again. Created by mental health coach and researcher Jocelyn Pepe, this practical guide is built around the TrU Model—five powerful elements of social, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. This is where research-backed insight meets intuition and where small shifts lead to lifelong results.

This real-life mental health reset is rooted in neuroscience, trauma-informed coaching, and Jocelyn’s own journey from burnout, traumatic events, and anxiety to emotional balance and clarity. Claim Your Brain is designed to help you reset your nervous system, reconnect with your values, and create sustainable rituals for feeling stronger, calmer, and more you—every single day.

Inside, you’ll to reset your nervous system, calm emotional spirals, and reduce stress from the inside out.The three core pathways to Top-Down (mindset and thought patterns), Bottom-Up (body and regulation), and Outside-In (relationships and environment).Targeted worksheets, reflection prompts, and rituals you’ll actually use in real daily life.Tools to help you identify personal values, break reactive cycles, and build resilience over time.Soulful practices alongside science—like intuition tracking, microrituals, and energy resets.
Whether you’re a working mom, overwhelmed professional, or someone quietly struggling with anxiety and emotional fatigue, feeling off path and wondering how to increase your overall quality of life, this book offers more than inspiration—it gives you a plan you can start using today.

This is mental health healing for real life. Start your reset today.

Genres: Self Help

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2025

About the author

Jocelyn Pepe is a mental health researcher, coach, and fractional head of organizational wellbeing, known for bridging science and soul to create lasting, meaningful change in individuals and workplaces. She is the founder of TrU, an organization dedicated to supporting executive and team wellbeing by integrating neuroscience, behavioral coaching, and intuitive practices that help people thrive from the inside out.

With over a decade of coaching experience, Jocelyn leads with depth, compassion, and vision. She specializes in supporting high-performing individuals and teams through stress, burnout, and transition—helping them build sustainable rituals for clarity, connection, and optimal performance. Her mission is to reshape how we care for mental health—at work and beyond—by creating safe spaces where real conversations and real healing can happen.

Jocelyn holds a master of science in the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, a bachelor of business administration, and multiple certifications, including professional certified coach (PCC), certified professional co-active coach (CPCC), and registered health coach (RHC). She is currently a member of the Global Alliance for Health and Wellness Coaches. Her career spans entrepreneurship, leadership, public speaking, and endurance athletics, all of which inform her powerful, people-first approach.

Born and raised in Niagara-on-the-Lake and now based in Oakville, Ontario, Jocelyn is a mother to three incredible kids, Mia, Kingston, and Cadence. She finds joy in nature, movement, deep connection, and dancing to free her soul. Whether facilitating a leadership retreat or exploring a forest trail with her children, Jocelyn lives what she teaches: grounded presence, courageous compassion, and aligned action.

To connect with Jocelyn and explore her work, visit www.truliving.ca or follow her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-pepe.

Reviews

[Lee Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claim Your Brain - Jocelyn Pepe

An interesting book by “Joce Bossy”😂 thank you, Jocelyn!

I think what makes this book work so well is learning of the author’s experiences and knowing she is well equipped to help, unlike some ‘experts’ I have had the misfortune of meeting who have never experienced something and yet still have the nerve to tell you that you’re wrong, belittle you or are worse in their judgement than the original reason for seeking advice. 🤷‍♀️ it happens, a lot in so many fields and it pisses me off! 😤

…And as Jocelyn says, “being surrounded by many opinions and people telling you what to do. You must be able to rise above the noise.”

You are unique…
As unique as your fingerprints.
As unique as your looks.
Unique in your thoughts.
Unique in your perspective.
Unique in your choices.
Unique in the foods that fuel you.
Unique in the movement that supports you.
Unique in your feelings.
Unique in your values.
There is only ONE of you.

This is true and I distinctively remember a very similar mantra used at DV support group about 7 years ago. It hit home and it was a turning point for me.

My favourite part of the book is Chapter 7 - Physical Wellbeing
Ingraining new/(old) behaviours
My main reason for increasing exercise is because, honestly, I have become very lazy due to my health and fallen into bad habits. I used to walk everywhere, miles and miles… tried that a few times over the past few years and I struggle. It’s sad because I thought I’d always be able to do it. 😔 I also used to practice yoga, and cardio almost every day. I’ve thought about this a lot lately and I need to get some kind of routine back. Physical wellness and mental wellness are my main goals and reading this chapter has helped me to recognise my need for change.

…And I rarely drink anything other than coffee, though I’ve always known that needs to change, upping my water intake may be a challenge in itself but that’s also a must. I DEFINITELY WONT BE ADDING MUSHROOMS TO MY DRINKS, powdered or otherwise, sorry. Yuck! Can’t stand ‘em! 🤢

Thank you for the mood and brain supplements list!
Out of these 10 listed, I know a fair amount about 1. lol I have saved this list and intend to try them all out in turn and see what if any benefits I notice from them.

“The only person you should be measuring yourself against is past and current you.” Love that quote!

This book is certainly empowering and a TrU eye opener, thank you for sharing your experiences, thoughts and knowledge. This has been an inspirational read. 🙏

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claim Your Brain by Jocelyn Pepe is one of those books that feels both empowering and deeply validating — especially if you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, your mind, or your sense of cognitive clarity.

What stood out to me most is how Pepe reframes brain health as something deeply human and reclaimable. Rather than leaning into fear-based narratives about decline or dysfunction, she emphasizes curiosity & compassion. The message isn’t “fix yourself,” but rather “understand yourself.”

As someone who has personally struggled with nervous system dysfunction and damaged, I appreciated how this book acknowledges that brain health is not one-size-fits-all. Cognitive fog, emotional overwhelm, and mental fatigue are often treated as personal failings or things to push through — but Claim Your Brain gently challenges that mindset. Pepe encourages working with the brain rather than against it.

This is not a quick-fix book — it’s a mindset shift. One that encourages you to slow down, listen closely, and reclaim ownership over how you relate to your mind. I finished it feeling calmer, more informed, and more connected to myself — which, in today’s world, feels like a meaningful victory. I loved Pepe’s take on her 3 core strategies and all the tools/worksheets provided, which breaks everything down into “easy to use” concepts.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in brain health, nervous system awareness, or simply learning how to be kinder to themselves. So many thanks to NetGalley and Uplevel Productions for gifting me a copy in exchange for my honest review!

[T M. Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claim Your Brain" by Jocelyn Pepe is a thoughtful and practical guide for anyone feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, or simply seeking to improve their mental health and overall quality of life. The book stands out by offering not just inspiration but a clear, actionable plan grounded in science and real-world experience. This approach to mental health is accessible and compassionate, making it especially helpful .The integration of mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral strategies provides a solid framework to understand and manage negative thought patterns. While some sections felt a bit dense and repetitive, the overall message is empowering and the workbook-style exercises encourage active engagement. This book is a valuable resource for those ready to take control of their mental wellness with practical tools they can start using right away. I would rate it 4.5 stars for its clarity, and actionable ideas. Thank you to the publisher as well as Netgalley for providing an advanced copy to review.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested to read this book. Like the author I also suffered a traumatic brain injury and could identify with some of the same issues around this.

There are some good tips and strategies in here, pause points to reflect, with lots of questions to get you thinking (these may not be helpful depending on what mood you are in).

This book is pushing itself as a scientific book and there is alot of science and exploration of stress and the impact cycle that has on physical /mental health...But when it got into links between blocked misaligned chakras being the cause of thyroid issues I'm afraid it felt alot less science based. There is no doubt links between stress and autoimmune diseases but chakras?! I'm afraid you've lost me. I'm sure this will not bother some people, but it bothered me and it undermined the overall tone a bit.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author Jocelyn Pepe for the chance to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rodney Ezekiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book ! After decades in mental and physical health, I have found a beautiful soul that perfectly encapsulates the message of what true( TRU !) health looks like. In a lovely, easy to read style and many stories beginning with a smart women with great potential that struggled with challenges that came to a point with a serious physical injury affecting her brain, Jocelyn takes us through healing and grace to lift our spirts, minds and bodies as she did for herself. Jocelyn brings in many different modalities and ways of wisdom such as the Five Elements of Wellbeing, Life Values, Conscious Communication, Food, Supplements, Mindfulness and more to help anyone in need of finding balance in mind body and spirit. One of the best complete books I have read in a long time to help people in their health and wellbeing journey. Highly Recommended !

[Alyson Corry · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Net Galley approved book and review!

I was interested quickly in this book due to the importance of hormonal changes in women effecting how our brains work. As the book went on that subject dropped entirely and this became more of a self help guided journal. Lots of writing prompts asking lots of questions. I really didn’t know how to interpret the authors approach to Tru? It just seemed like a piggy backing take on lots of other self help guides, but that being said I think they are all really similarly written. Had this been the very first self help book I’ve ever read I would probably give a higher rating.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great tool and read! ‘Claim Your Brain’ had great flow and reads easily, sharing the author’s experiences and giving great information. The worksheets help guide and keep you accountable with the information being presented as you read along. Everything is practical, straightforward, and intelligently presented. If you’re interested in improving your mental health and wellbeing this is a book I would recommend checking out!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something I didn’t quite like about the narrative of this book. Maybe something about the way it was written - the assumption that all women go through the 3 p’s puberty, pregnancy and perimenopause. However, I have still given it quite a high score as the reflection questions and exercises I thought were quite good, allowing it to be of practical use to people and not so theoretical that they read it and have greater understanding but no tools.

[Samanta Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed from an ARC copy provided by NetGalley.“Claim Your Brain” lives up to its title. Instead of another vague, one‑size‑fits‑all checklist, it lays out the science of mental health in clear, engaging language and shows you how to apply it in real life. The authors don’t talk down to you or hand out hollow “just be better”; they give you the knowledge—and the confidence—to take back control of your own overall health.

[Heather Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars

Claim Your Brain is a supportive, easy-to-follow workbook that mixes science with soul. I liked the author’s personal touch and the reflection prompts, but much of the advice felt familiar if you’ve read other self-help or mental health guides. A solid starting point for beginners, though not especially groundbreaking.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this read!
I love the focus on the 5 elements of wellbeing, being able to tap into each one and drive focus in each element feels rewarding. I love the concept of being able to provide my own notes, it puts the accountability on me to fill in the homework!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

i would recommend this if you are ready to sit down and read it from start to stop. but this book just wasnt for me. It does have great questions and information though so go into it with that thought.

[Natalie Westlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

a definite must read this summer! this is the first practical, easy to implement wellness book I've read in years. thank you Jocelyn! when is the second book coming?

[Patty Stephens]

Thank you to the publishers and Goodreads Giveaways for this Kindle edition! I am grateful for all practical advice in how to handle our brain activity.