Brussels Sprouts Are Mind Fuel: How John Wick Uses This Mental Health Superfood
- Bruce Schutter
- Oct 1
- 5 min read
It was a quiet Tuesday afternoon when I spotted him — John Wick. Yes, that John Wick. The man who can take out an entire room with a pencil, who once fought off 12 assassins with a broken teacup, and who now stood at a farmer’s market, carefully selecting Brussels sprouts — apparently his deadliest mission yet.
“John?” I said, cautiously approaching the Warrior of Precision and Tactical Vengeance.
He turned. Slowly. Intentionally. “Bruce,” he said with a nod. “I’ve been reading Mind Fuel for a Mental Health Warrior.”
Well. That explained the Brussels sprouts!
The Warrior Approach
John knows my story — 20 years of struggling with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. It left me feeling so powerless that I tried to end my life. But in that moment of absolute darkness, I discovered something powerful: Mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge!
Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge!
And the beauty of it? It isn’t abstract. It’s practical. From tools to mindset shifts to the very food on your plate, every part is designed to help you rise above challenges and build the life you truly want.
So when it comes to fueling your mental health, what’s on your plate matters. Food can power your mind, steady your emotions and keep you grounded — just ask John Wick.
The Warrior Way of Eating
John Wick’s been through a lot. And apparently, so had his gut.
He told me he used to eat like a man preparing for battle — because, well, he was. But these days? He’s fighting a different kind of war: one for emotional balance, mental clarity and peace of mind.
His newest weapon of choice? Brussels sprouts.
“Not exactly your standard action-hero food,” I joked. “They’re misunderstood,” he replied. “Like you?” He smirked. “Exactly.”
John had been diving into my book, Mind Fuel for a Mental Health Warrior, which breaks down the mental health benefits of individual foods — and how to easily add them to your meals.
And Brussels sprouts? Surprisingly, they’ve become one of John Wick’s go-to Mental Health Superfoods. Yes, really.
Eager to prove it, he shared three ways he eats them — each one fueling his focus, lifting his mood and sharpening his resilience like a true Warrior!
Use 1: The Tactical Roast
“Crispy. Golden. Reliable.” That’s how John described his go-to prep. He tosses halved Brussels sprouts in olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Then roasts them at 425°F until the edges get crunchy enough to make a ninja jealous.
But this isn’t just about taste. Roasted Brussels sprouts are loaded with Vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants — nutrients that boost brain health, reduce inflammation and steady blood sugar.
Translation? Fewer mood swings. Sharper focus. More emotional control when it matters.
“They help me stay calm under pressure,” John said, “which is handy when people are shooting at me in art museums.”
Our Turn:
When life’s chaos feels like a never-ending foot chase through your to-do list, adding a stabilizer like Brussels sprouts can steady your blood sugar and mood. They don’t just taste good — they help keep you grounded.
So next time your brain’s doing somersaults, roast a tray. You don’t have to be an international hitman to need emotional stability. Just a human being with emails, bills and maybe a screaming toddler.
Because let’s be honest — you don’t need bullets flying to feel under attack. Life does a good job of that on its own.
Use 2: Sprout Stir-Fry for Mental Focus
“When I need to clear my head,” John said, “I go with the Brussels stir-fry.”
Sliced thin and pan-fried with a splash of coconut aminos, ginger, and a dash of sesame oil, the sprouts turn into a crispy-savory miracle. He adds a protein — chicken or shrimp usually — and maybe a soft-boiled egg if he’s feeling fancy.
But this dish isn’t just delicious — it’s brain fuel.
Brussels sprouts are rich in B-vitamins and help support the production of serotonin and dopamine — two neurotransmitters crucial for boosting mood, enhancing memory, and sharpening mental clarity. Pair them with lean protein, and you’ve got a focus-fueling meal that works like a mental reset button.
“After a bowl of that,” John said, “I’m sharper, more focused… and less likely to overreact when someone dings my car door.”
Our Turn:
Mental fog? Stress spiral? Feed your brain what it needs to fight back — nutrient-dense greens, clean protein, and omega-rich oils. A stir-fry is quick, customizable, and totally Warrior-approved.
I use it myself on days when my brain feels scattered. I’ll grab a pan, toss in Brussels sprouts with whatever protein I’ve got on hand, and within 15 minutes I’ve gone from foggy and frustrated to focused and steady. It’s like hitting a reset switch — only tastier!
When you sauté your stress away, you’re not just cooking dinner — you’re steadying your mood and proving to yourself that you’re in charge.
Use 3: Brussels Breakfast Hash
Now this one caught me off guard. “Hash?” I asked.
John nodded. “Sunday mornings. Brussels sprouts, chopped bacon, diced red onion, and two eggs on top. Satisfying. Centering. Safe.”
This combo of fat, fiber and protein keeps you full longer, cuts down stress cravings, and promotes mood stability. And the texture—crunchy meets comforting—triggers a dopamine boost that feels like a warm hug with combat boots on.
“It’s not just fuel,” he said. “It’s morning armor.”
Our Turn:
Start your day with food that says, “I got this.” That means skipping the sugar crash and heading straight for fuel that supports your brain’s ability to stay steady — even when the world around you isn’t.
I use this kind of breakfast myself when I know I’ve got a heavy writing day ahead. A hash with sprouts, eggs, and bacon keeps me focused, energized, and way less likely to go hunting for sugar an hour later.
Brussels at breakfast? It’s not weird — it’s the Warrior way of saying: “Let’s handle this day like a boss.”
Wrap Up
John leaned in, book in hand. “I always thought food was just survival fuel,” he admitted. “But you showed me it’s a weapon for resilience.”
He wasn’t talking about fancy diets or strict rules — he was talking about a mindset shift. No more eating to hide from emotions. Now he eats to sharpen, to steady, to feel.
That’s what Mind Fuel for a Mental Health Warrior is really about. Not perfection. Not complexity. Just simple choices — like a plate of Brussels sprouts — that can anchor you when the world feels like it’s spinning.
So the next time life has you cornered, don’t freeze. Don’t numb out. Take action. Grab a Mental Health Superfood and use it like a Warrior — one bite at a time!
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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