Early last fall, I was pregnant, tired, and just felt so depleted, but I had so much going on that I wasn’t really taking the time to take care of myself.  I didn’t even grant myself a nap (I really regret that).  I needed to do something for ME – not a massage, not a new pair of shoes – my soul needed a boost, but I didn’t even know where to begin.  Then I read what my friend, Lisa, wrote about her experience at 2015’s W.E.L.L. Summit, and I knew I had to be at the next one.  Even though it was one more thing to add to my never-ending action list, something about this event physically pulled my body to New York last November, and I’m so glad I made the effort to be there.  I came back home centered, inspired, focused, and ready to give more of myself – and the BEST of myself – to the my loved ones, my readers and the rest of the world.

W.E.L.L. stands for wellness, empowerment, learning, luxury, and those words certainly sum up my experience.  This two-day conference brings leaders in wellness, nutrition, clean beauty, fitness, mindfulness, eco-consumerism and other related fields together to speak to in large panel discussion groups as well as smaller intimate breakout sessions.  If you are seeking self improvement, knowledge, or just “something more”, this experience is for you.  Check out this video of the highlights from last year’s summit.  It was just. so. good.

I’m a nerd at heart, so what I loved most about the W.E.L.L. Summit was having the opportunity to learn more about subjects that I was already interested in.  I was able to listen to Dr. Drew Ramsey‘s lecture about the brain-gut connection, and I also participated in smaller meditation and mindfulness workshops.  The smaller breakout sessions are capped at 40 attendees, so I was able to connect with the leaders and the other participants and ask questions; I don’t know about you, but a round-table discussion format makes a big difference for me.  Also, there are multiple events to choose from throughout the two-day conference, so you are able to somewhat curate your own experience, which I really appreciated.  (At 8 months pregnant, I didn’t really feel like doing a barre class, (!) so I took a crystal workshop instead.)  I also feel the need to tell you that this conference is not just for wellness professionals, or bloggers, or moms, or any other box you can put humans in.  It is for all of us, and it sounds cheesy, but it’s truly a “safe” space.  I felt no judgement there, I didn’t catch anyone eyeing each other up and down, and everyone was vulnerable and open and so NICE.

This year’s lineup is still coming together, but so far, Kathryn Budig, Sara DiVello, and Nitika Chopra, to name just a few, have signed on to present, and like last year, tenoverten will be offering complementary nontoxic manicures during the Live W.E.L.L. party on Saturday night. Also worth mentioning is that the swag bags are out of control, and the food and drink available is actually healthy, clean and delicious, unlike most conferences I’ve been to.

The exact location is yet to be revealed, but it will be in New York City on November 3-4.  For more details, check out W.E.L.L. Summit’s website, and for tickets, click here.

Who’s coming?!  I’ll be there, and I cannot wait to meet you!

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