brain health - Erika Barker — Miami-Based AI, Data Science, and Tech Journalism

How Zone 2 Running Helped My Mental Health

June 30, 2025May 25, 2024 by Erika Barker

Losing my job and facing financial struggles, I found inspiration in Casey Neistat’s disciplined running routine, which helped me manage my ADHD and mental health. By incorporating Zone 2 training and focusing on gut health, I regained control over my mind and discovered a path to mental clarity and happiness.

About Erika Barker | Data Scientist,& Investigative Storyteller

I’m Erika Barker, a Miami-based data scientist, Navy veteran, journalist, and investigative storyteller. My career began in combat journalism for the U.S. military and evolved through graduate-level teaching, creative direction in New York, and advanced study in business and data science. Today, I focus on how machine learning, AI, and data analysis can reveal hidden patterns in human systems, and how those insights can be translated into stories that drive understanding and action.

I specialize in predictive analytics, machine learning, and data visualization, I build models and narratives that explore the trajectories shaping our society, from technology and finance to culture and governance. My work spans from creating dashboards and decision frameworks to producing investigative media like The Gray Files podcast, where I examine the human impact of emerging technologies through a data-driven lens.