2025 breakout sessions
Get the latest in health and wellness information.
Morning breakout sessions
Session One: 10:20 to 11:05 am
Session Two: 11:20 am to 12:05 pm
You will choose two of the following for the morning sessions.
Speaker: Lisette Alder, MS, LMFT
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Anxiety convinces us that we’re not doing enough, we’re not where we should be, and we must avoid failure at all costs. This session will explore the causes of anxiety and its relationship to perfectionism; how self-compassion, vulnerability and letting go can lead to freedom within; and practical, accessible tools to manage anxiety in the moment.
Speakers: Kristin Hampshire, MD, and Angelea Bruce, RD
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Plastics, which are part of a larger group called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are prevalent in our food, environment and everyday products, and can harm us by disrupting the body’s hormonal system and increasing the risk of diseases. Additionally, there is growing concern about the negative health consequences associated with dietary sugars and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Learn more about the dangers of EDCs; how to limit your exposure; and ways to reduce your consumption of UPFs and strike a healthy balance in today's overwhelming food environment.
Speaker: Lisa Lipschitz, MD
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Menopause and menopause hormone therapy (MHT) have been put on the back burner for years, but the science is clear — for many women, the benefits of MHT for symptom relief can far outweigh the risks. Learn what to expect from menopause and options for treatment, including lifestyle modifications, FDA-approved MHT and nonhormonal treatments.
Speaker: Shayna Kaufmann, PhD
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Research has demonstrated that our brains are naturally wired to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones, often overshadowing moments of joy. Learn how to counter this tendency with a simple, mindful process and discover practical steps to cultivate presence, savor uplifting moments, and create more space for joy in your daily life.
Speaker: Holly Moyer, RDN
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The gut microbiome plays a dynamic role in digestion, alleviating unwanted symptoms and enhancing our quality of life. Learn how your diet affects your intestinal microbiome, the common misconceptions surrounding popular store-bought items, how to build a gut-friendly grocery list, and tips to modify recipes to support your long-term health.
Speaker: Nan Sterman
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Whether you are a beginner or have a seasoned green thumb, gardening in San Diego can be a challenge. This session will provide tips for creating the beautiful, thriving garden of your dreams, including how to select the best plants for the region; irrigation and care basics; supporting pollinators; growing vegetables; and more.
Speaker: Tina Chen, MD
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Whether you’re focused on prevention or rejuvenation, learn how to have radiant, resilient skin at any age. Discover practical tips for daily routines, how to select and combine the right products, and which of the latest advancements, methods and procedures are best to achieve your skin care goals.
Speaker: Erin Conway
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Navigating retirement, investments, estate planning and being prepared for what your future holds can feel daunting. This presentation is designed to help you build a foundation for financial empowerment by understanding the nuts and bolts of planning for your retirement and the steps you can take to meet your goals.
Speaker: Hans Crumpler, MD
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Women account for approximately 80% of all cases of autoimmune disease and spend an average of five years seeking a diagnosis. This session will explore the unique challenges of these elusive disorders, including how to quantify and communicate your symptoms and connect all the dots, and the best diagnostic testing measures and treatment options available.
Speaker: Vamsidhar Chavakula, MD
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Living with a movement disorder, such as Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor, is one of the most challenging journeys you and your loved ones can experience. Learn about the signs, symptoms and latest treatment options, including deep brain stimulation and noninvasive MR-guided focused ultrasound, which can significantly improve movement control and help you enjoy life to the fullest.
Speaker: Suda House
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Most people have an incredible camera with them at all times, but they don’t take advantage of its many features. Learn how to maximize your photo capabilities, from basic camera settings and composition to creative techniques and the best editing apps to turn ordinary snapshots into extraordinary pictures. While this session will use an iPhone, many of the principles also apply to Android phones.
Speaker: Carla Baxter, DPT
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Weight-bearing exercise can significantly improve your overall health by increasing bone density; improving balance and coordination; boosting metabolism; and reducing the risk of injuries. You will learn an easy-to-follow strength-training routine you can do at home to preserve and increase your muscle mass and support your ability to perform everyday activities with ease.
Speaker: Lori Biesel
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Kundalini yoga focuses on raising your consciousness by awakening the life force energy (chi) that lies dormant at the base of your spine. Using a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, chanting and meditation, you will be guided through this transformative practice that can lead to greater self-awareness, improved physical and mental clarity, and a deeper connection with your inner self.
†Interactive session
Afternoon breakout sessions
Session Three: 2 to 2:45 pm
Session Four: 3 to 3:45 pm
You will choose two of the following for the afternoon sessions.
Speakers: Wendy Urushima-Conn, Deanna Martin Mackey and Denise Scatena
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Volunteering not only helps build, rebuild and strengthen communities, but it also helps you gain a stronger sense of purpose, connect with others, and discover passions that will enrich your life and boost your well-being. Learn about the benefits of giving your time and talent, and how to choose a cause or group to be involved in.
Speaker: Conni Jespersen
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Style these days seems like an endless cycle of changing trends and constant buying, leaving us feeling more “lost with our style” than ever before. Discover your personal style DNA using the Signature Style Method, an interactive workshop where you’ll learn how your style is connected to your personality, day-to-day life and more, coming together visually with a customized style mood board that aligns with your newly discovered style blueprint.
Speaker: Lina Amini, MD
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According to the National Eye Institute, 2 out of 3 cases of blindness or vision problems occur in women — and much of it is preventable. From dry eyes and cataracts to macular degeneration and glaucoma, learn about the symptoms of common eye diseases and how to take care of your eyes and preserve your vision.
Speaker: Shanette Smith, LMFT
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Love languages are the different ways people give and receive love – they are categorized into five types, and we all have at least one. This session will explore how to identify your own and others' love languages and apply these concepts to enhance your relationships with partners, family, and friends through more meaningful communication and connection.
Speaker: Dara Bliss Schwartz, PsyD
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The Sharp Experience is about taking intentional actions to move toward a vision of being the best health care system we can possibly be — and the same blueprint can apply to our lives. Drawing on cognitive psychology and other applied psychology tools, you’ll discover how to identify “the me you want to be”; set intentional, actionable goals aligned with your vision; remove barriers creating a block; and create the extraordinary and meaningful life you envision for yourself.
Speakers: Chef Jesse Kraft, Chef Skylar Flynn, and April Rogers, RD
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Save time and money, reduce food waste, and add variety to your weekly menu by transforming your leftover dinner into a whole new meal. This session will help you reimagine leftovers with creative recipe ideas, strategies for planning ahead, practical tips for storage and more.
Speaker: Noel Tarver
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Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese practice that cultivates and balances the body’s energy to improve your physical health, mental clarity and emotional well-being. Using a combination of slow, flowing movements, controlled breathing and focused intention, discover how to benefit from this easy and accessible healing practice that has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
Speaker: Kim Derr
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Sound healing is a deeply restorative practice offering many benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep quality, increased focus, and a revitalized sense of purpose. Using crystal alchemy bowls, rain sticks and chimes, this transformative experience combines the healing power of sound frequencies with guided meditation to lead you to a state of deep relaxation, inner peace and mental clarity.
Speaker: Marin Nishimura-Kaminski, MD
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, yet it is often under-recognized. Learn about potential risk factors, the unique and nuanced symptoms specific to women, and which important lifestyle changes can help prevent the development of heart disease and improve your cardiac health.
Speaker: Pegah Mashayekhi, DO
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Injectable medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, also known as GLP-1s, have exploded in popularity. But who should take them, are they safe, and what are the side effects? This session will answer your questions about GLP-1s and other medication options, including how they can help improve sleep, relieve joint pain, increase fertility and more.
Speaker: Kevin Posey
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Making sure you’re prepared and your critical information is up to date and easily accessible by your loved ones in case of an emergency is an often-overlooked nuance of managing personal finances. In this session, you’ll learn how to create and maintain essential financial checklists to confidently manage your finances. You’ll also discover the latest fraud trends and actionable strategies to protect yourself from financial scams.
Speaker: Tracie Arlington
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Protect yourself with confidence should you ever need to fend off an attacker. During this interactive session designed for women of all ages, learn how to stay alert in your surroundings and defend yourself in the face of danger. You’ll leave armed with basic self-defense techniques and awareness concepts that just might save your life.
Speaker: Billy Blanks Jr.
Breakout Session Three Only — Dance It Out: Broadway, Baby!
Step into the spotlight for an unforgettable, no-experience-necessary musical theater dance workout. From the first step to the final bow, you will become the star of your favorite show classics, culminating in learning and performing a fun Broadway routine.
Breakout Session Four Only — Dance It Out: Dance Party
Join Billy for his signature Dance It Out (DIO) workout to sweat, smile, laugh and feel good, all while burning calories. This high-energy class is for all ability levels and incorporates more than 20 dance styles, including hip-hop, disco and Bollywood.
†Interactive session
Speakers, topics and sessions are subject to change.