With health and fitness, there is a tendency to focus solely on our body: How much do we weigh? What is our resting heart rate? How much can we lift? It’s key to also pay attention to the mental and emotional components of health: How are we feeling? What are we thinking? Now I am not a psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health professional, but it is important to be aware of the connections between our physical health and mental health. What goes on between our ears not only affects how we feel and think but also what we do and what we do not do. Recently I read the book The Soloist, and since October 7-13 is Mental Illness Awareness Week, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you. In The Soloist, Los Angeles Times columnist, Steve Lopez, describes his encounter and ongoing relationship with Nathanel Ayers, a homeless man with schizophrenia. Lopez is immediately taken by the fact that Ayers is playing beautiful, heart-felt music on a 2-string violin. What starts off as an interesting story in the newspaper becomes life-changing for both men and for the mental health community. This is a great read, and I look forward to reading other books by Lopez.