Foundations of Wellbeing Experience at the Historic Gasparilla Inn
November 9-11, 2025
Boca Grande, Florida
Join us for a total body and spirit refresh as we gather for the 5th year at The Gasparilla Inn for our Foundations of Wellbeing Experience.
Registration is coming soon!
We bring the experts to your table and curate an experience where you can connect with like-minded people who are passionate about feeling good. Together, we step away from the busyness of everyday life to learn, reflect, and simply breathe.
Throughout the experience, we explore the latest in health and wellness—guided by thought leaders, nourished by farm-to-table meals, and grounded in meaningful conversation. From sunrise yoga and meditation to juice bars and deep dives, every moment is designed to support your whole being.
At the heart of it all is a deep recognition that we are not separate from nature—we are nature. Surrounded by beauty, we remember that our wellbeing is intimately connected to the rhythms of the earth. This connection sustains us, inspires us, and reminds us of what it means to truly thrive.
2025 Gasparilla Foundations of Wellness Speakers
Patricia Devers, D.O.
The Mastery of the Gut Microbiome: Who’s Really in Charge Here?
Ever wondered what’s really going on in your gut? Spoiler alert: it’s not just your stomach making all the decisions! Your gut is home to trillions of micro-organisms—yes, that’s a trillion—that are running the show when it comes to your health. From influencing your mood and skin to balancing hormones and boosting immunity, these tiny powerhouses have a major impact on your overall well-being.
Join Dr. Patti Devers, Chief Clinical Officer at Genova Diagnostics, as she takes you on an eye-opening journey into the world of the gut microbiome. Discover how this microbial universe affects every aspect of your health and how the medical community recognizes, following in the footsteps of Hippocrates who famously stated that all diseases begin in the gut. You’ll learn practical tips on how to optimize your gut health, from cutting-edge testing to simple lifestyle tweaks.
Dr. Devers will share insights into how your gut microbiome influences your overall health and provide personalized strategies for enhancing your well-being. Prepare to uncover new ways to support your health and take actionable steps toward a more balanced and vibrant life!
Dr. Patti Devers serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at Genova Diagnostics, a pioneering leader in microbiome, nutrition, immune function, and genomics testing. At the forefront of advanced diagnostics, Genova Diagnostics offers comprehensive tools that uncover the root causes of health issues. Their detailed recommendations encompass dietary adjustments, probiotic use, and lifestyle changes to address health concerns and promote overall well-being.
Website: https://www.gdx.net
Access Lab Testing for Yourself: https://connect.gdx.net
Instagram @genovadiagnostics and @genovaconnect
LinkedIn @genovadiagnostics
Matt Dawson
Forever Young: How Science and AI Can Keep You Vibrant at 100 and Beyond
Get ready for what promises to be an enlightening—and possibly life-changing—session with Dr. Dawson, the mastermind behind Wild Health. Imagine a future where you’re still rocking out at 100 with the energy of a teenager! Dr. Dawson’s innovative approach combines science and AI to turn back the clock and extend your healthspan, all while making it look effortless.
Dr. Dawson, who seems to have more awards and accolades than we have room to list, has authored two textbooks, contributed to hundreds of book chapters, and published dozens of studies. His app and podcast have been downloaded millions of times—clearly, he’s onto something! Over the past decade, he’s also managed to start six companies or nonprofits.
At Wild Health, Dr. Dawson and his team blend holistic treatment with cutting-edge genomics to create personalized wellness plans. His goal? To help you not just live longer, but live better, with a side of youthful exuberance that lasts for a century.
Our long-standing partnership with Wild Health reflects our shared passion for individualized medicine and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of wellness. Together, we're bringing you the latest in personalized health strategies.
Join us and learn how Dr. Dawson’s science-backed, AI-driven approach might just be the secret to living a vibrant, youthful life well into your golden years.
Website: www.wildhealth.com
Instagram: @wildhealthmd
Dr. Patrick Hwu
Revolutionizing Cancer Care: The Next Frontier in Immunotherapy and its Impact on Health
In this talk, Dr. Patrick Hwu will explore the cutting-edge advancements in immunotherapy and their profound implications for both cancer treatment and overall wellness. As science uncovers the remarkable power of the immune system, we are now able to tap into its healing capabilities not just for fighting disease, but for enhancing long-term health and vitality. Dr. Hwu will share insights from decades of research, shedding light on how innovations in immune-based therapies are transforming cancer care and offering new paradigms for maintaining well-being. Innovative treatments like personalized cell-based therapies and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are breakthroughs that are revolutionizing the way we treat cancer, offering new hope for patients. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the immune system’s potential, and how these discoveries can be applied to optimize health, improve longevity, and prevent illness.
Dr. Patrick Hwu, MD is the President and CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center and a globally recognized leader in cancer immunotherapy. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Hwu has played a pivotal role in developing groundbreaking treatments, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), that harness the immune system to combat cancer. Previously the Division Head of Cancer Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, he led one of the nation’s premier cancer immunology programs and has contributed significantly to clinical research, particularly in melanoma and solid tumors. Dr. Hwu is a prolific author, having published extensively in top scientific journals, and is a sought-after speaker in the oncology field. At Moffitt, he is dedicated to advancing precision medicine and immunotherapy, fostering innovation in cancer research, and building strategic partnerships to improve patient outcomes globally.
Website: https://www.moffitt.org/about-moffitt/executive-leadership/patrick-hwu-md/
X: @PatrickHwuMD
Mikel Blair
The Power of Play: Unlocking Connection & Community
In this engaging session, Mikel Blair will dive into the transformative role of play in fostering connection, healing, and personal growth. Through interactive activities and shared experiences, participants will explore how laughter, deep breathing, and play activate the body’s natural healing systems, reduce stress, and strengthen relationships. Drawing on her work with Modern Revival and Badlands, Mikel will share insights into how playful interactions deepen self-awareness and build meaningful community. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped to integrate play into their daily lives.
Mikel Blair brings over a decade of experience to her work in conscious leadership and community building. As the co-founder of Modern Revival, she focuses on creating meaningful connections among women through gatherings that explore body wisdom, emotional intelligence, and personal stories. Mikel is also the founder of Badlands, an interactive children's learning space in Rockville, MD, and actively supports organizations focused on education, at-risk youth, and mental health.
Website: www.modernrevival.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernrevivalcommunity
Instagram: @modernrevivalcommunity
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modernrevivalcommunity
Jim Dethmer
Embracing Authenticity: A Path to Vibrant Living
When we wear masks and hide behind facades, we drain our vitality. Authenticity, while sometimes intimidating, is also incredibly liberating. Imagine what it would feel like to simply be who you are—free from pretense and fully embracing your true self. Authenticity begins with the courage to be honest with ourselves and grows into the art of sharing our truths in ways that foster connection rather than conflict. This approach is essential for nurturing meaningful relationships, both in our personal lives and professional environments.
Jim Dethmer will join us again this year to explore how embracing authenticity can bring peace and joy into our lives. He will help us consider: What might our lives look and feel like if we fully embraced our authentic selves?
As a coach, speaker, and author, Jim is a founding partner at The Conscious Leadership Group (CLG). With over two decades of experience, he has guided more than 150 CEOs and their teams in adopting conscious leadership practices. His deep expertise helps transform both workplaces and individual lives through insightful and impactful leadership principles.
Website: https://conscious.is
Instagram: @consciousleadershipgroup
Tracy Freeman, MD
Ask the Doctor
BB&R’s Chief Medical Officer peels back the onion on the questions she gets asked most in 2025.
Dr. Freeman Integrates the most effective treatments from holistic and conventional medicine to bring her patients the most innovative approach to true healing. Dr. Freeman’s progressive methodology is grounded in decades of experience searching out the root cause of disease. As a mother of a child with autism she has a personal understanding of the challenges patients face. Doctor Freeman breaks down the most important topics in wellness today bringing the insights of a physician and the compassion of a mother.
Website: www.tracyfreemanmd.com
Instagram: @drtracyfreeman
Your Hosts
Doro Bush Koch and Patricia Reilly Koch
Doro Bush Koch and Patricia Reilly Koch are lifelong friends, sisters-in-law, and passionate wellness advocates who share a deep love for helping others live healthier, more meaningful lives. As co-founders of the Achieving Optimal Health Conference (AOHC) with Georgetown University—now celebrating its 16th year—they’ve built a platform that empowers individuals to take charge of their wellbeing. Through their podcast Health Gig and their work with BB&R Wellness Consulting, they continue to inspire thousands to explore a more mindful, balanced approach to health.
Building on their commitment to personal growth and holistic wellness, they developed the Foundations of Wellbeing Experience at the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Florida—an immersive retreat designed to help people reconnect with themselves and the natural world around them. That connection to nature is central to everything they do. As co-founders of Conservation Nation, Doro and Tricia are champions of biodiversity and environmental stewardship, advocating for the interconnectedness of all living things. They believe that we are not separate from nature—we are nature—and that true wellness begins when we recognize and honor that intrinsic connection.
For more than two decades, they’ve approached wellness with curiosity, humility, and an open heart—always learning alongside the communities they serve. They blend personal stories, cutting-edge science, and practical tools to help people make meaningful, sustainable changes in their lives. Their work is rooted in a deep belief that true wellbeing is not achieved in isolation, but through connection—to self, to others, and to nature.
At the core of their mission is the belief that wellness is a shared experience—one rooted in connection, community, and the understanding that we’re all in this together. Whether it’s guiding someone through a transformative retreat or elevating conservation as a key pillar of holistic health, Doro and Tricia create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and part of something larger. Their work reflects a deep respect for the interconnectedness of all things—mind, body, spirit, and nature.