TIME | LECTURE | SPEAKER |
---|---|---|
7:45 AM - 8:00 AM | Announcements / Introduction to the day | |
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM | Maternal Imprint; Shaping Health, Brain Development, and Humanity’s Future | Leah Hechtman, PhD, ND |
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM | Role of Microbiome in Gut Illness | Dr Pran Yoganathan |
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Morning Break | |
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM | CONNECTOMICS: a Paradigm Shift in the Diagnosis and Management of All Brain Disorders | Dr Charlie Teo |
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM | Optimising Brain Energy | Matt Bourke, Chiro |
12:00 PM - 1:15PM | Lunch | |
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM | Language of the Body | Helen Padarin, ND |
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Mitochondria- the Biophysics of Health Creation | Dr Christabelle Yeoh |
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Afternoon Break/Expo | |
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM | Neuro Therapies | Brittany Darling, Nutr, Francoise Nicoloff |
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Closing Remarks |
*Schedules subject to slight revisions*
Presenter: Helen Padarin
The Language of The Nervous System – a primal and somatic approach to healing.
Food, lifestyle and our environment all play fundamental roles in our state of health, the functioning of our physiology and our cell danger response. To move from the absolutely necessary defence-physiology of the Cell Danger Response, to the healing physiology of the Healing Cycle we need energy and resources. This is why food, lifestyle and environment are so key to our state of health. We also need to remove the threat. Another often-missed threat resolution that is required for the Healing Cycle to function however, is to resolve (most often subconscious) states of threat to survival. Fortunately by learning to understand the somatic (felt) language of our nervous system, we can start to interpret the messages of what we (and our loved ones) truly need in order to regulate, comfort and heal. By doing this, all other choices we make around food, lifestyle, environment and even medications and biohacking devices will have a much greater beneficial impact. Perceived or real threats to our survival are imprinted by our infant years (and can occur later in life, a result of traumas). Without understanding or somatic tools to be able to resolve or discharge these imprints, they leave us living in a chronic survival state of sympathetic dominance, AKA fight or flight mode. This survival response stimulates the cell danger response, and elicits a cascade of neurological, immunological and endocrine consequences that result in inflammation, autoimmunity and an array of chronic disease. It is in fact, often unbeknownst to us, the driving factor behind most chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and illness. Fortunately by learning to understand the somatic (felt) language of our nervous system, we can start to interpret the messages of what we (and our loved ones) truly need in order to regulate, comfort and heal. By doing this, all other choices we make around food, lifestyle, environment and even medications and biohacking devices will have a much greater beneficial impact.
Presenter: Dr Charlie Teo
CONNECTOMICS: a paradigm shift in the diagnosis and management of all brain disorders.
Connectomics is the evolving understanding of the human brain. In 2009, the US government dedicated millions of dollars and thousands of scientific man-hours to try and improve our understanding of what has been called “the last frontier”. In 2016 this huge body of work was distilled in a single article published in NATURE by Glasser et al. However, applying this knowledge to clinical practice was impossible until a team of the brightest minds worked together to develop an app that could be used to assess the one organ that had previously never been visualised or quantified, the brain. CT and MRI scans give advanced images of how the brain looks but tell nothing of how it is working. If you examine the MRI of a patient with schizophrenia, it is structurally normal, and yet the patient’s behaviour is far from normal. This newfound knowledge has been utilised to treat patients with structurally normal conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, CTE, addiction etc. This presentation will explain the mechanism behind transcranial magnetic stimulation and give exciting examples of patient benefits and how the future is bright for all patients with any brain disorder.
Presenter: Dr Leah Hechtman (PhD)
Maternal Imprint; Shaping Health, Brain Development, and Humanity’s Future
Explore the profound influence of maternal RNA, microchimerism, and methylation in shaping the next generation’s health and brain development. Delve into the connections between the microbiome, emotional development, and trauma patterning, revealing how we co-create life and rewire chronic illness for future generations.
Matthew is the founder, director and principal clinician at Optimum Health Essentials, an integrative natural health clinic that has been established on the Northern Beaches of Sydney for over 20 years. Matthew is a keynote speaker, personal health coach and mindset consultant, founder and facilitator of Optimum Health Essentials Detox Retreats in Byron Bay, and has been on the Mindd Foundation Practitioner Advisory Board since 2008, and has presented at multiple Mindd conferences. Matthew specialises in Chiropractic, Applied Kinesiology, Neuro Emotional Technique, Neurolinguistic Programming (Master Practitioner), Positive Psychology, Peak Performance, Functional Biochemistry and Breath Work. He has worked in Europe and Australia and studied Vedic philosophy and meditation in Australia and India.
Dr Kelly Francis is a passionate Functional Medicine Practitioner and health advocate based on the Gold Coast, Queensland. She completed her medical degree at The University of NSW in 1998 and completed her formal GP training in 2006. She previously owned an Integrative GP clinic on the Gold Coast called Happiness in Health which she closed in 2023. She has recently founded and launched an on-line functional medicine clinic called Revolution Healthcare, offering services to all Australians via the on-line platform.
Dr Yoganathan graduated in medicine from the University of Otago in New Zealand. His training in internal medicine was undertaken in the Westmead Public Hospital. His Advanced training in Gastroenterology was completed in major teaching hospitals in Sydney. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physician (FRACP) and a member of Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA). He has accredited expertise in Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Colonoscopy as certified by the Conjoint Committee for the recognition of training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Dr Yoganathan has a strong interest in the field of human nutrition. He practices an approach to healthcare that assesses the lifestyle of the patient to see how it impacts on their gastrointestinal and metabolic health.
Dr Christabelle Yeoh has over 2 decades of experience in clinical care, most of which has focused on understanding root causes of chronic disease. She works with her patients to optimise their biophysical health, mitochondrial health, digestive function microbiome and brain performance. She is passionate about sharing her in-depth knowledge on the interconnectedness of human metabolism, biology and behaviour. She helps address the chronic conditions that can be related to adverse factors in her patient’s lifestyle, nutrition and environment to help optimise their overall function and wellbeing. Dr Yeoh graduated from medicine at the University of London in 1999 and obtained her membership with the Royal College of Physicians (UK). She has a Masters degree in Nutrition from King’s College London. After practicing hospital medicine, she worked as a general physician with an interest in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. She was a director and past president at the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) and is active on the teaching faculty.
Charlie Teo is an Australian neurosurgeon who is respected for his willingness to offer surgery to those who have been given no hope. He has had appointments in Australia, the USA, India, Vietnam and Singapore. As passionate about teaching as performing surgery, Charlie has been awarded Best Teacher awards in both the USA and Australia and devotes 3 months of every year instructing and doing live surgery pro bono in developing countries. He established a fellowship program that attracts over 600 applicants every year and has taught and mentored neurosurgeons from many of the leading universities world-wide such as Karolinska, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Duke, Yale and Harvard Universities and the Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr Teo was honoured with the Order of Australia in 2011 for his pioneering efforts in the development of minimally invasive techniques in neurosurgery, in 2012 when he was invited to give the Australia Day Address to the Nation and in 2013 when he was the first non-politician Australian to address the US Congress on the need for more funding for brain cancer research. Professor Teo was named the Most Trusted Person in Australia for 7 consecutive years.
Helen Padarin is a Naturopath, nutritionist and medical herbalist who has been in clinical practice since 2001. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Health Sciences (Naturopathy), advanced diplomas in nutrition, herbal medicine and has completed extensive post-graduate training in treatment for metabolic, neurologic, digestive and immune disorders and Somatic Experiencing.
For over 23 years, Helen has been one of Australasia’s leading experts in the revolution of holistic health driven by real food. Helen is passionate about conscious living, vital health and empowering individuals, families and organisations to find the joy in being well. She gains constant inspiration from seeing clients make conscious changes to their physical health to find that it also benefits their emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing as well.
Through her clinic, books and online courses, she has inspired patients, parents, health professionals, community groups and thought leaders by promoting a truly holistic approach to health and in doing so creating a supportive community.
Helen is a member of the Mindd Foundation Advisory Board as well as a Mindd Foundation ambassador.
Dr Leah Hechtman (PhD) is a globally respected naturopathic clinician specialising in fertility, pregnancy, and comprehensive reproductive health. She is a passionate researcher, published author, and dedicated educator, sharing her insights and expertise through lectures, events, and programs.
With a commitment to bridging science and spirituality, Dr Hechtman (PhD) takes a collaborative approach to care, working closely with general practitioners, specialists, and other healthcare professionals. Her inter-professional focus fosters innovation and connection, ensuring holistic and integrative outcomes for her patients and advancing the field of reproductive health.
Charlie, an award-winning grazier and passionate advocate for regenerative farming practices, has transformed his family’s 5,000-acre property in Boorowa, New South Wales, Australia, from a conventional high-input farm into a biodynamically principled, holistically managed farm in harmony with nature. Over the past 20 years, Charlie has embraced regenerative agriculture principles that align with his innate connection to the land and his commitment to producing quality food.
Hanaminno now operates using organic, biodynamic, and holistic grazing principles to produce chemical-free, pasture-raised beef, lamb, and pigs. Prioritising animal welfare and the health of both land and consumers, the farm prides itself on being “Certified by Community” – fostering transparency, openness, and strong connections with clients, who are considered co-producers.
Theanna is Founder of The School Food Project. Raised in a food-centric family, she is inspired by her grandmother, a caterer who co-founded the St Canice Kitchen for the Homeless in Sydney. Theanna began her career at Opera Australia as Music Assistant, then pivoted to train in hospitality. She worked under Marcella Hazan’s son Giuliano in the USA and at Sydney’s Bistro Moncur. She passionately supports improving childhood health, nutrition and happiness through school food. SFP can catalyse this.
Passionate Jack of all Trades finding purpose in his regenerative story.
Having worked in many realms of business and activism, Blair’s true purpose is grounded in the advocacy of Regenerative Agriculture, manifesting itself as the director of Farmer’s Footprint Australia.
With vast experience in food systems, native ingredients, and soil health, Blair’s knowledge in these fields is equaled by his passion for community, sovereignty, and his family. As he continues to learn, listen, stumble, and be humbled by his journey, his focus is to educate, empower and activate humans toward a regenerative life.
Presenter: Dr Christabelle Yeoh, MBBS, MRCP (London), MSc (Nutrition)
Creating Brain Energy for Neuroplasticity
Cognitive health is on everyone’s mind, with ADHD and cognitive decline rates being higher than it’s ever been. What does it mean to have good cognitive health? This talk focuses on the bioenergetic aspect of neuronal function which is the foundation to creating the behaviours and the plasticity that we want to see in our brains. It is imperative to learn about what blocks it and what makes it flourish!
Understand what the important components of brain health are
Presenter: Dr Christabelle Yeoh, MBBS, MRCP (London), MSc (Nutrition)
Mitochondria- the Biophysics of Health Creation
Mitochondria are much more than the popular description: ‘powerhouses of the cell’. Mitochondria are transducers which means they convert one form of energy into another form. Chemiosmosis, a fundamental biological process housed by mitochondria (and chloroplasts) are driven by quantum mechanics principles. Understanding these allow patients and practitioners to harness the desperately needed bioenergetics to successfully drive the biochemistry protocols that we prescribe. It is foundational to health creation.
Presenter: Elyse Comerford, Nutritionist
Meat Stock – The Golden Elixir!
Bone broth gets a lot of attention (for good reason), but have you been focussing on meat stock? Elyse will take us through the do’s and dont’s of making the most important healing food for gut and connective tissue repair, how to include it in your diet (it doesn’t just have to be soup!), and how to get it in for even the fussiest eaters. Elyse will also take us through the cases where meat stock is better for healing than bone broth, and share some stories of healing from her clinic, ‘Well Belly Health Clinic’.
How meat stock functions as a healing food
How to make the most effective (and tasty!) meat stock
How to include meat stock in your current diet
Including meat stock for fussy eaters
Real life stories of the benefits of meat stock
Elyse Comerford is an Integrative Nutritionist and Certified GAPS Practitioner, Keynote Speaker, Mentor, and most importantly, Mum to Dylan & Bowie! Elyse’s primary focus for the past decade has been in private practice, helping hundreds of families overcome a whole host of health issues through the implementation of nourishing and healing principles, reducing toxic stress, and the GAPS protocol. This has become Elyse’s specialty, and has led her to work with families all over the world becoming well known for her specialisation in complex chronic health conditions. It has been a culmination of her education and experience in Nutrition, but most importantly her experience with her own healing journey that has driven her passion to empower as many people as possible with the key to their own health. Elyse’s approach is based on taking the normal “guilt, blame, shame and deprivation” approach and completely turning it on its head, focussing instead on healing, nourishing, and listening to the body at a deep root cause level.
Brittany Darling is a mum and nutritionist, with over 15 years of clinical experience. Frustrated by the lack of truly effective children’s supplements, she set out to create targeted, science-backed formulations that address specific health concern facing children today. Her multi-award winning supplement brand, I’m Nutrients is purpose led, providing only targeted formulations minus the junk.
Presenter: Liz Mumper, MD FAAP, FMAPS
Case Study in Immune Injury
Dr. Mumper will deconstruct the history of a difficult patient with baseline mold toxicity who worsened after he received a mRNA COVID vaccine. She will demonstrate the value of constructing a timeline to identify antecedents, triggers and mediators to lead to therapeutic strategies. She will examine lab evaluation of mold toxicity and resources for treatment protocols. Dr. Mumper will look at the pathology associated with spike protein and potential ways to help those suffering from prolonged spike exposure or adverse reactions to COVID vaccines.
To use timelines to organize history considering antecedents, triggers and mediators
To interpret labs to diagnose
To find resources for a step-wise treatment strategy
Presenter: Nancy O’Hara, MD, MPH, FAAP
A Functional Medicine Guide on Microbes & Mental Health
PANS & PANDAS are complex autoimmune diseases that require a multi-system approach. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep) involves antibodies from a strep infection reacting with brain tissue (specifically the basal ganglia in the brain) and triggering an abrupt onset of immune dysregulation and movement, learning and behavioral problems including OCD, anxiety and tics. With PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), other infectious etiologies besides strep (especially Mycoplasma as well as COVID, viruses, other bacteria, and more), toxic exposures, and metabolic abnormalities are among other potential triggers for the immune dysregulation resulting in an abnormal autoimmune reaction and negative behavior, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive changes. Dr. O’Hara will discuss the latest research in the assessment and treatment of these devastating but recoverable illnesses. Participants will learn the research-based functional medicine approach to the care, diagnosis and treatment of these children.
The participant will be able to understand the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of PANS, PANDAS and Post Acute Infectious Syndromes (PAIS).
The participant will be able to differentiate causes of anxiety, OCD and tics, as it relates to autoimmune encephalitis.
The participant will be able to define the triad of treatments for PANS, PANDAS & PAIS.
Presenter: Presenter: Liz Mumper, MD FAAP, FMAPS
Kids and COVID
When COVID first emerged, everyone was confused – doctors, parents, patients,
government officials, and agency workers. However, it emerged rather quickly that COVID was
not a mortal threat for healthy children and adolescents. Nor were children with COVID a
transmission threat to immuno-compromised patients or vulnerable elderly. Dr. Mumper will
share her perspective, derived from four years of COVID research and collaboration, on how
different strategies should have been adopted during the first year of the crisis. She will argue
that mandates were never a good idea, that critical analysis of the initial clinical trials would
have led to different decisions, and that what the public was told differed from emerging
scientific truth.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Presenter: Liz Mumper, MD FAAP, FMAPS
Kids & COVID
COVID in healthy children and adolescents was very different than COVID in sick
adults with multiple co-morbidities. Dr. Mumper will argue that a “one size fits all” strategy
focused on a novel gene therapy technology was misguided. She will review the data about risk
factors, early treatment and potential repurposed medications. She will outline the fallacies
inherent in testing and isolating people without symptoms and review the limitations of PCR
testing.
The vaccine “safe and effective” mantra is not nuanced enough to describe what really
happened during roll-outs of COVID injections. Dr. Mumper will critically analyse evidence that
the shots were not studied for and did not decrease transmission, that those who received
injections were more likely to get COVID multiple times, and that more adverse events were
reported than for other vaccines combined. She will share documentation of adverse events in
the following categories: cardiac, autoimmune, reproduction, cancer, and neurologic.
Clinicians may leave the lecture pondering such topics as the autonomy of healers, the role of
truly informed consent, and the insertion of politics into medical crises.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Presenter: Nancy O’Hara, MD, MPH, FAAP, FMAPS
Tick-Borne Diseases, Mold & MCAS
PANS & PANDAS are complex autoimmune diseases that require a multi-system approach. With PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), infectious etiologies such as Borrelia, Bartonella and Babesia, are among potential triggers for the immune dysregulation resulting in an abnormal autoimmune reaction and negative behavior, physical, and cognitive changes. Tick-Borne Diseases and Mold may cause or contribute to an acute or subacute presentation of fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, OCD, tics and more. These symptoms need to be assessed and treated appropriately. Participants will learn the research-based functional medicine approach to the care, diagnosis and treatment of these children. She will present this informaiton in a case study format.
The participant will be able to understand the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of PANS and Basal Ganglia Encephalitis, especially as it relates to Borrelia, Bartonella and Babesia
The participant will be able to differentiate causes of anxiety, OCD and tics, as it relates to autoimmune encephalitis caused by Tick-Borne Diseases and Mold.
The participant will be able to define the triad of treatments for PANS, including antimicrobials, immune modulators and symptom supports for Tick-Borne Diseases and Mold.
something on MCAS
Presenter: Nancy O’Hara, MD, MPH, FAAP, FMAPS
Post Acute Infectious Syndromes & Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
PANS & PANDAS are complex autoimmune diseases that require a multi-system approach. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep) involves antibodies from a strep infection reacting with brain tissue (specifically the basal ganglia in the brain) and triggering an abrupt onset of immune dysregulation and movement, learning and behavioral problems including OCD, anxiety and tics. With PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), other infectious etiologies besides strep (especially Mycoplasma as well as COVID, viruses, other bacteria, and more), toxic exposures, and metabolic abnormalities are among other potential triggers for the immune dysregulation resulting in an abnormal autoimmune reaction and negative behavior, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive changes. Dr. O’Hara will discuss the latest research in the assessment and treatment of these devastating but recoverable illnesses. Participants will learn the research-based functional medicine approach to the care, diagnosis and treatment of these children.
Presenter: Dr Kelly Francis MBBS. BSci (Med). FRACGP (2006)
Healthy Home
Our physical environment can have an enormous impact on our health and wellbeing. Dr Kelly Francis will present to you all the potential hazards you can be exposed to under your own roof, and ways you can mitigate the dangers.
Learning Objectives:
Presenter: Soulla Chamberlain
The Fundamentals of Robust Nutrition (from Vegan to Omnivore)
In this presentation Soulla will focus on the key principles of a nutrient-dense diet which provides a solid foundation for a life-long sustainable health. While health is multifactorial (and directly influenced by numerous lifestyle factors), nourishing your body with the anti-inflammatory, nutritionally-dense whole foods that we as a species have biologically evolved to eat is the cornerstone (as well as the fastest and easiest way!) of reclaiming and maintaining spectacular health with the most profound impact. Food is the most powerful medicine available to us to heal chronic illness and to remain vibrantly healthy. Soulla will detail the most nutrient dense foods and well as how to source and prepare them.
Learning Objectives in bullet point format
Attendees will learn the fundamentals of robust nutrition including a brief overview of:
Soulla is a cooking instructor specialising in real & traditional foods, a health coach, an advocate and teacher of toxic free living, a public speaker, a wellness blogger, a lover of the sun and sea, and a mother! Her mission started with bringing nutrient-dense traditional wholefoods back to the modern table for vibrant health and longevity and has grown into empowering people to live a vibrantly healthy life in all areas of their life but focusing first and foremost with the food, personal care products, cleaning products and medicines that people choose to bring into their home. Soulla has been instrumental in pioneering a traditional wholefoods and holistic lifestyle movement across Australia and further afield over the past 2 decades. She is a passionate spokesperson on food as medicine and provides people with the tools and resources to swap out dietary and environmental toxins in their home in a positive and empowering way. Small changes, big impact. It was her first hand experience as a burnt out corporate lawyer and former ‘hard core’ vegetarian/vegan that was the catalyst to seek an alternative approach to heal herself and her family.