Stepping Into a New Era of Wellness
Before I even made it to the first keynote at the 2025 Eudēmonia Summit, I’d been humbled twice - once by a brutal TRX workout and again during a Jiu Jitsu class ("introductory" level my a$$!) when my partner casually folded me like a lawn chair (no joke, he may have actually cracked one of my ribs). But walking into the Hilton West Palm Beach, with nearly 3,000 attendees discussing longevity, metabolic health, cold plunges and the future of wellness, it all felt strangely perfect. For someone building Workup and Longevity Today, this was passion and purpose colliding in real time.
Highlights from the Agenda
The Summit featured a breadth of sessions (literally 100+), panels and wellness experiences that touched every facet of human health, from biomarkers and precision medicine to sleep, movement, mindset and community. I registered for the following sessions and experiences:
Secrets of Super Agers (with Dr. William Li)
Function Health: From Numbers to Thriving – Personalizing Health for 100 Healthy Years (with Mark Hyman and Jonathan Swerdlin)
Escape Digital Dopamine (with TJ Power)
Beyond the Finish keynote (with Rich Roll and Gabby Reece)
Resilient from Within (with Halle Berry)
Thermalist Approach (with Susanna Soberg)
TRX Strong Circuit
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 101 (with the Gracie family)
Vitamin B‑12 shot, NanoVi Peptide session and a Galleri Cancer Screening
Expo visits with dozens of brands including Four Sigmatic, Sunlighten, Kreatures of Habit, Shaklee and Aion
I also attended other talks, but these experiences shaped my personal narrative and offer a cross‑section of how the Summit blends science, practice and community.
Secrets of Super Agers – Lessons From Dr. William Li
Dr. William Li - physician, longevity researcher and author of Eat to Beat Disease - delivered a keynote that reframed aging as an opportunity to level up, not slow down. He presented compelling research about angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels - and how foods rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and other compounds can stimulate stem‑cell growth and maintain cardiovascular health.
One study, Dr. Li shared how eating just 7.5 grams of dark chocolate per day (about three to four morsels) was associated with a 39% reduction in heart attack or stroke risk. As if I needed another excuse to enjoy chocolate :).
Dr. Li’s key message: aging can be about regeneration, not decline. By fuelling ourselves with the right foods, we can protect our vascular systems and brain, regenerate cells and maintain vibrancy well into our 80s and beyond. His talk dovetailed with our mission at Workup - to curate scientifically backed products and share knowledge that empowers individuals to extend healthspan and vitality.
From Numbers to Thriving – Empowering the CEO of Your Own Health
One of the most impactful sessions was with Function Health’s founders, Dr. Mark Hyman and Jonathan Swerdlin. They argued powerfully that chronological age is no longer the dominant driver of chronic disease; instead, wearables, biomarkers and AI allow us to manage root causes and extend healthspan. Continuous monitoring of glucose, activity, inflammation and other markers provides a real‑time “dashboard to your body,” empowering early detection, prevention and personalized interventions.
Jonathan and Mark pulled in the audience and nailed key themes:
“Your datasets are a crystal ball,” Dr. Hyman told the audience. “Think about a million doctors in your pocket,” he said, referring to the predictive power of aggregated health data.
Swerdlin added, “There’s a new system forming with new people in charge and Function is supporting this ecosystem.”
Their message was clear: data isn’t cold; it’s a tool for agency. We, as individuals, can become CEOs of our own health, making informed decisions rather than passively receiving diagnoses. They emphasized that their goal is not about profits: “We are here to prevent loss of life from solvable problems,” Dr. Hyman said.
The session resonated deeply with me. At Workup we emphasize transparency and curated products, but we also champion the notion that the best product is empowerment. Data can feel overwhelming, yet with the right guidance, it becomes liberating.
Escape Digital Dopamine – Rebalancing Our Brains
Smartphones have hijacked our dopamine pathways, leading to overstimulation, distraction and burnout. TJ Power, neuroscientist and author, explained how constant device use floods our brains with dopamine while depleting oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins. He introduced the DOSE framework to rebalance brain chemistry:
Dopamine: a neurotransmitter that drives motivation and reward.
Oxytocin: the “love hormone” that fosters social bonding, trust and attachment.
Serotonin: crucial for mood, cognition and sleep regulation.
Endorphins: peptides produced in the brain and pituitary gland that block pain, relieve stress and create feelings of well‑being.
Power’s session urged us to create intentional digital rituals - short periods of deliberate phone use followed by extended device‑free time - and to prioritize real human connection. The practical takeaway: regulate your dopamine spikes, invest in relationships to stimulate oxytocin and serotonin and engage in physical exercise to boost endorphins.
Beyond the Finish – Stories of Resilience With Rich Roll & Gabby Reece
The closing keynote on Day 1 featured Rich Roll, ultra‑endurance athlete and host of one of the world’s top health podcasts, alongside Gabby Reece, elite athlete and wellness innovator. They shared personal stories of transformation - from professional sports to mindful living and service - and emphasised that success isn’t solely about peak physical fitness; it’s about inner work, relationships and community. They discussed resilience, conscious health and redefining success from the inside out, reminding us that our daily practices and inner balance sustain a life well‑lived.
This panel underscored a recurring Summit theme: health is a multi‑dimensional pursuit. Without emotional and relational health, physical longevity loses meaning. Roll and Reece, both parents and partners, spoke about using movement and breath as entry points to spiritual resilience.
Wellness Experiences: Science Meets Practice
Vitamin B‑12 Shot
At the Expo, I sampled Purform’s Vitamin B‑12 injection, a quick shot offering a boost in energy metabolism. Vitamin B‑12 plays a critical role in red blood‑cell formation and neurological function. I didn’t notice a dramatic shift, but there was a subtle elevation in alertness and mood over the afternoon.
NanoVi + Peptides
The NanoVi session combined Eng3’s technology with Soma peptides. A 30‑minute treatment involves breathing humidified air with structured water vapor; the device emits bio‑identical signals that help cells repair damage and improve protein function. While I didn’t feel an immediate physiological change, it was fascinating to experience a modality used by elite athletes and clinical practices.
Galleri Cancer Screening
I also took a blood draw for the Galleri multi‑cancer early detection test, which scans for signals of over 50 cancers. Results will be uploaded to my Function Health portal in a few weeks. Taking this test was both empowering and slightly nerve‑wracking. Galleri represents a shift toward proactive healthcare, catching diseases before symptoms appear.
TRX Strong Circuit
As an early‑morning mover, I attended a TRX Strong Circuit class. TRX is a suspension training system that uses body weight and gravity to develop strength, balance and core stability. The class was intense but exhilarating, reminding me how functional movement - pushes, pulls and planks - supports longevity more than purely aesthetic training. My shoulders burned, but I left feeling accomplished and energized.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 101 with the Gracie Brothers
Later I stepped onto the mats for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 101 led by Ryron and Rener Gracy. They taught fundamental concepts like using leverage to conserve energy and tiring out your opponent rather than relying on brute strength. Practicing sweeps and submissions with total strangers fostered an immediate sense of trust and community. It was also humbling as my partner during the session - a friendly and highly experienced Jiu Jitsu practitioner, royally kicked my butt (and might have even cracked one of my ribs - pending an upcoming imaging scan. Ouch!)
Expo Highlights & Conversations
Between sessions, I explored the EXPOSŌME expo and met over 50 brand founders and representatives. A few highlights:
Four Sigmatic – Adaptogenic mushroom coffee that offers focus without jitteriness. Their team shared research on mushroom blends and functional coffee.
Sunlighten – Infrared saunas that promote detoxification and cardiovascular benefits.
Kreatures of Habit – Plant‑based oats infused with micronutrients and protein for easy morning nutrition. Their protein bar samples were delicious.
Shaklee – I devoured their 40g sparkling protein drinks.
Aion – Weighted vests engineered for everyday use to increase bone density and metabolic output.
I also connected with med-tech companies exploring continuous metabolic monitoring, mental‑health start‑ups focusing on psychedelics and breathwork and recovery brands offering compression boots and cryotherapy. These conversations validated my belief that there is a wealth of trustworthy innovation, but consumers struggle to navigate the noise. Curating these brands into one destination at Workup is more relevant than ever.
Themes, Takeaways and Reflections
Back to Basics
While the Summit attracted many biohackers, the core message was surprisingly simple: Invest in the fundamentals: exercise, sleep, nutrition and relationships and then use technology to enhance, not replace, those foundations. Longevity research isn’t just about nootropics or gene therapies; it’s about consistent habits and community. As Dan Buettner, author of the Blue Zones books, shared in another talk, the longest‑lived populations prioritize movement, plant‑based diets, social engagement and purpose.
Data + Agency
Seeing thousands of people excited about proactive healthcare reminded me that agency is the ultimate biomarker. Whether through labs with Function Health or DNA sequencing at home, people want tools to take charge.
Community & Collaboration
The Summit fostered a culture of collaboration rather than competition. Brands cross‑referenced each other. Attendees swapped tips and stories. This energy affirmed my belief that a centralized hub can accelerate discovery and adoption.
Nourishing Body, Mind and Spirit
From TRX and Jiu Jitsu to meditation and poetry, Eudēmonia showed that wellness is multi‑dimensional. You cannot hack your way to longevity while ignoring your emotions or relationships. Rich Roll and Gabby Reece’s keynote, combined with the neuroscientific insights from TJ Power and the cellular science from Dr. Li, underscored a simple truth: vitality is holistic - it requires dedication to body, brain and heart.
Closing Thoughts
The Eudēmonia Summit 2025 was more than a conference; it was a glimpse into a future where individuals, empowered by data and community, take command of their health journey. From Dr. Li’s culinary science to the DOSE framework for digital balance, from the adrenaline of TRX and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the quiet introspection triggered by poetry, the weekend was a mosaic of learning and growth. The experience left me optimistic - healthcare is shifting from reactive to proactive, from siloed to integrated, and from fear to empowerment.
Let this piece serve as both a recap and a call to action: invest in the basics, embrace data as a tool, build community and pursue vitality in all dimensions of life. The future of wellness is not “out there”, it’s something we co‑create every day.
