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Hi there, this is Nicky VanValkenburgh. I'm the Founder and Director of this website. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.

20 Minutes To Less Stress, LLC.
29 Smokehouse Drive. Simponville, SC 29681
Email =  Nicky (at) bellsouth.net

Questions about your order? Contact the shipping manager,
Jan Ockeloen. His email is jockeloen (at) frontier.com

About our company. We are a small company that is incorporated as an LLC in the State of South Carolina. We're also a licensed retailer of the ALERT "light and sound" machine.

Products & Services 

Paperback Book. Sometimes people are hesitant to try new things, because they want scientific evidence and proof that it works. That’s why I wrote my book, Train Your Brain, Transform Your Life.

I wanted to share the science, mixed with personal stories, insights and experiences. I discuss my personal experiences with ADHD, and explain the science behind the brain training technology. By reading my book, you will be able to examine the facts for yourself and make an informed decision as to whether brain training is right for you.

The book is for sale on this website, as well as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and other online booksellers.  

ALERT Brain Training Program is a 60-day protocol for conquering ADHD. It comes with headphones, eyeglasses, and a control box with pre-programmed sessions. How it works is that you do one session (22 minutes) for five days, and then go on to the next session. Altogether, there are twelve weeks of sessions in the program. At the end of 60 days, you're finished with the program. Then, you're free to use the ALERT as much or little as you like.

Basically, the ALERT helps you to practice the Sensory Motor Rhythm, until it becomes an automatic response. It’s like they say, “practice makes perfect, and repetition builds mastery.” The Sensory Motor Rhythm has been clinically tested and proven to reduce ADHD. It was discovered by neuroscientist Dr. Barry Sterman in 1968.

Why 22 Minutes?

Each brain training session on the ALERT protocol is 22 minutes long. Research suggests that it takes at least 20 minutes to neutralize the “fight or flight” response. When you use the ALERT, your mind and body will relax deeply, and you’ll find yourself feeling calm and energized. Another plus is that 22 minutes won’t take up too much of your time.

What Is Unique About This Program?

The ALERT brain training system is commonly called a “light and sound machine.” There are other light and sound machines on the market, but the ALERT appears to be the only one that has a specific 60-day protocol to help you to conquer ADHD.

The ALERT enables you to practice and master the Sensory Motor Rhythm (SMR), until it becomes an automatic response. The SMR has been clinically tested and proven to reduce ADHD. Currently, it is used in neurotherapy and brain training clinics across the country.

With the ALERT, you can train your brain in the comfort of your own home, without ever stepping foot inside a clinic.

This Program May Be Covered By Your Insurance

If you live in Canada you could obtain a doctor’s prescription for the ALERT, and it may be covered by your health insurance.

The ALERT manufacturer, Mind Alive, is the only company that manufactures light and sound machines that are licensed by Health Canada. (As of this writing, this arrangement is only available in Canada).


The ALERT is licensed by Health Canada as Class I Medical Devices for the treatment of ADHD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD,) depressed mood, insomnia, and anxiety. To download "Information for Your Doctor", click here

What’s In It For Me?

Brain training is a natural, non-invasive way to address the root cause of ADHD, and boost the electro-chemical activity in your brain. Best of all, you’ll have fun doing it. You’ll actually look forward to your brain training time. It is a relaxing and enjoyable experience, and when you start to get results, the victory will be even sweeter. You’ll be so proud of yourself. You’ll feel a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment when you train your brain and transform your life.

Inside your brain is everything you need to recover from ADHD. As you train and condition your brain, you will gradually feel a change taking place in your head. Your thoughts will become clearer. It will be easier to focus and concentrate for longer periods of time. You will remember what you’ve read. Your short term memory will also improve, making it easier to hold onto thoughts that race through your head. In no time, you’ll be better organized, more efficient, and more productive. Yes,you have every reason to be upbeat and optimistic about conquering ADHD. It’s time to train your brain and transform your life!

Is This Mumbo-Jumbo?

No, brain training is a practice that is rooted in neurotherapy, and is supported by scientific studies. The ALERT teaches you the Sensory Motor Rhythm, which was discovered in 1968 by neuroscientist Dr. Barry Sterman.  He discovered a brainwave frequency which enabled stray cats to concentrate and tune out distractions. When this brainwave frequency is reached, the cat’s brain communicated with their body’s motor systems to settle down, tune out distractions, and tap into their body’s natural energy—which is a state of calm. Dr. Sterman called it the Sensory Motor Rhythm. In his college laboratory, Dr. Sterman used the SMR to train the cats to remain calm, exercise self-control, withhold their response, and show motor stillness. The cats even ignored the distraction of food and water with the SMR. 

In the 1970s, Dr. Sterman took his research a step further. He was approached by a woman who worked in his lab. Her name was Margaret Fairbanks. Mrs. Fairbanks  watched Dr. Sterman do amazing things with the stray cats.

"I'm willing to be your guinea pig," she said. "Could you test the SMR on me?" asked Mrs Fairbanks. "You see. I have epilepsy, and it is a real hassle for my husband to take me to work, and pick me up. I want my independence! I want to get my driver's license!"

Dr. Sterman wouldn't make any promises. However, he agreed to experiment on Mrs. Fairbanks using the same SMR treatment that he used with the stray cats. At the end of 60 days, Dr. Sterman asked Mrs. Fairbanks to go back to her doctor to be checked  out. To their surprise, her doctor found that Mrs. Fairbanks was no longer epileptic. The SMR training enabled Mrs. Fairbanks to change her brainwaves and reduce her tendency to have seizures. She was no longer considered epileptic. Finally, Mrs. Fairbanks was able to get her driver’s license (Sterman 1978; Demos, 2005). It was a dream come true!

The implications of the Sensory Motor Rhythm were mind boggling. It didn’t take long for researchers to ask: “If you can change the brainwaves of a person with epilepsy, then why not change the brainwaves of a person with ADHD?”

Dr. Sterman looked for ways to test the Sensory Motor Rhythm on people with ADHD. He met with Drs. Joel and Judith Lubar, who are psychology professors at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Sterman worked with the Lubars to apply the concept of the SMR to ADHD. The Lubars used the SMR to teach children to pay attention, focus, concentrate, and be less distracted. They taught children with ADHD to be more resistant to attentional lapses and hyperactive outbursts. The Lubars were able to reduce ADHD symptoms by stabilizing the children’s brainwave patterns with the Sensory Motor Rhythm.

If you’d like to know more about the SMR and the story behind it, it is covered in chapter 13 of my book, Train Your Brain, Transform Your Life.

Ultimately, the SMR launched the field of neurofeedback. Today, it is used in brain training clinics across the country to help people train their brains to conquer ADHD. Now you can practice and master this same rhythm in the comfort of your own home, without ever stepping foot inside a clinic.

The ALERT enables you to practice and master the SMR until it becomes an automatic response. When you master the Sensory Motor Rhythm, your ADHD will be replaced with the Rhythm of Peak Performance.

How Does The ALERT Program Make Me Feel Good?

When you use the ALERT, you will relax deeply. Your body starts to release the tension and anxiety that you have built up and stored. You’re so relaxed, that your body actually goes into a regenerative state. As you breathe deeply, more oxygen and blood goes to your heart, lungs, skin, and other major organs. There is a tremendous sense of release.

Also, a wonderful burst of energy comes as you feel calm, relaxed, and upbeat. As you use the ALERT, the deep relaxation stimulates the release of “feel good” endorphins. When you feel good, you’re happy. Your stress starts to melt away physically and emotionally. All of a sudden, you can think clearly. Now you can take a look at life with a fresh, new approach.

The ALERT also provides tremendous satisfaction as your ADHD symptoms begin to fade away, and are eventually replaced with the Rhythm of Peak Performance (or Sensory Motor Rhythm).

If you’re ready for a change, consider this wonderful brain training program that has made such a remarkable difference in my own life, and thousands of others.

Click here for more info on ALERT brain training

Click here to read testimonies