Learn From Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, and Brenda Davis RD at the Community of Wellness Symposium
Some people’s rock stars make albums. Mine make books.
I’m guessing you might be a collector of classics like The China Study, How Not to Die, or Proteinaholic or maybe you’re more into the newer releases like Fiber Fueled or The Proof Is in the Plants.
I know you have a bookshelf like mine. Authors that not everyone knows about, but titles that intrigue anyone interested in health and wellness. Names like Barnard, Davis, Bulsiewicz, Fuhrman, Greger, and Esselstyn — the vegan medical rock stars who spread the word about plant-based eating for our health. Their message is evidence-based and compelling with countless success stories of people preventing or even reversing disease.
These medical professionals have educated me, and now I educate others in my work with Wholesome Minnesota, a program of Compassionate Action for Animals. Like most of you, I get excited by new book releases and documentaries that feature these influencers. Their research shapes my work and their voices have changed my life.
And now? They’re coming to Minnesota for a live performance.
You Can Have Front-Row Seats
Are you a fan like me? Then you’re going to want to jump at the chance to see plant-based brilliance up close and personal. The Community of Wellness Symposium, THE ONLY lifestyle medicine conference in Minnesota, provides you a not to miss opportunity on April 9-10, 2026. Front row seats for who you might ask? Here’s a teaser:
- Dr. Neal Barnard, (yes, the Dr. Neal Barnard!), founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine who’s been reversing type 2 diabetes with food for decades will be on stage breaking down the latest research on nutrition and brain health.
- Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, (Dr. B to his millions of social media followers), will be explaining how your gut microbiome is the “hidden command center” for your entire body. You’ll have an understanding of health on a whole new level.
Imagine you’re watching therse presentations, taking notes and nodding along. But then your heart starts racing, because you realize you can actually talk to these rock stars in person. (At least this happened to me the first time I attended the conference.) If talking isn’t your thing, you can always hit them up for a photo for your Instagram feed. Highlights for me in 2025 included chatting with The Brain Docs (Dr. Ayesha Z. Sherzai MD, MAS and Dr. Dean Sherzai, MD, PhD, MPH, MAS), Brenda Davis RD, and Amit Sood, MD, Executive Director, Global Center for Resiliency and Wellbeing.
This isn’t a webinar you’ll half-watch while doing laundry or a virtual summit you’ll “catch the replay” of (and never actually watch). This is the real deal. It’s live. It’s a community and a place to connect.
The person sitting next to you might be a nurse practitioner. Behind you, a parent trying to raise healthy plant-based kids. Across the table, a doctor specializing in lifestyle medicine. There are seniors optimizing their health, public health policy makers, educators, advocates — chances are there will be someone just like you there and all of you will be learning together.
This is happening April 9-10, 2026, in Rochester, Minnesota. And you need to be there.
The Community of Wellness Symposium Lineup
If you’ve been part of the plant-based movement for any length of time, you know these names. You’ve read their books. You’ve heard them on the Rich Roll Podcast, The Exam Room Podcast, and Plantstrong. You’ve seen them in documentaries like Forks Over Knives and The Game Changers. You’ve quoted their research to your skeptical family members at holiday dinners.
And now? They’re all at the same place… in Minnesota (this rarely happens!).
This is the wellness world’s version of an “All-Star” tour and it only has one stop — Rochester, Minnesota.
Here are the headliners:
Dr. Neal Barnard, MD, FACC
Session: “The Evidence-Based Role of Nutrition in Longevity, Vitality, and Cognitive Health”
April 9, 9:45-10:45 AM
If there’s a Mount Rushmore of plant-based medicine, Dr. Barnard’s face is carved into it.
With over 20 books, Dr. Barnard’s catalog reads like a greatest hits collection: Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes, The Power Foods Diet, Your Body in Balance, The Cheese Trap. Each one is a chart-topper, changing lives and challenging the status quo of conventional medicine.
He’s the founder and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), an organization that’s been changing the conversation around nutrition and health celerating 40 years. He’s an adjunct professor of medicine at George Washington University. He’s published research in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. He’s a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
And he’s been reversing type 2 diabetes with food, not just managing it, but reversing it in clinical trials that have made conventional medicine sit up and take notice. His life’s work has been using rigorous science to prove what many of us already know: food is medicine.
At the symposium, he’ll be sharing the latest evidence on how nutrition directly influences:
- Longevity (how to live longer, healthier)
- Vitality (how to feel energized and vibrant at any age)
- Cognitive health (how to protect your brain from dementia and Alzheimer’s)
He’ll show you which specific foods and dietary patterns protect brain function, reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, and support metabolic wellness. This is science-backed, practical guidance you can start using the moment you leave the room.
Why you need to hear him: If you’ve ever wanted to understand why plant-based nutrition works, this is your chance. Dr. Barnard doesn’t just inspire — he equips you with irrefutable science.
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, MD, DipABLM (“Dr. B”)
Session: “Gut Health for Life: Unlocking Longevity and Vitality Through Your Microbiome”
April 9, 2:00-3:00 PM
Dr. B is a triple board-certified gastroenterologist and lifestyle medicine physician, Dr. B burst onto the scene with his triple-New York Times bestseller Fiber Fueled, followed by The Fiber Fueled Cookbook and Plant Powered Plus. His work has millions of followers and people who hang on his every podcast appearance, TikTok explainer, or Instagram post.
He’s the founder of The Gut & Microbiome Center for Excellence, a telemedicine practice focused on personalized, gut-oriented care. He has a gift for taking cutting-edge microbiome research and making it not just understandable, but actionable.
Dr. B calls your gut microbiome your body’s “hidden command center” — and he’s not exaggerating. Your gut influences:
- Digestion (obviously)
- Immunity (70% of your immune system lives in your gut)
- Metabolism and weight
- Mood and mental health (the gut-brain axis is real)
- Aging and longevity
At the symposium, Dr. B will teach you:
- The importance of dietary fiber and plant diversity in nurturing microbial health (spoiler: aim for 30 different plant foods per week)
- The connection between gut inflammation and age-related diseases
- How lifestyle factors like sleep, stress, and exercise affect your microbiome
- Why supplements can’t compete with whole foods
- Practical strategies for improving gut health, like increasing plant variety, eating fermented foods, and adopting mindful eating habits
Why you need to hear him: If you want to understand how your daily food choices are literally shaping your health at a cellular level and how to optimize that process, Dr. B is your guide. Plus, he’s funny, relatable, and makes complex science feel totally accessible.
Brenda Davis, RD
Session: “Foods that Enhance Insulin Resistance, Cognitive Health, and Muscle Mass”
April 9, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Brenda Davis is a plant-based nutrition legend.
Davis has authored 13 books with nearly a million copies in print across 12 languages. My favorite, Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families, is accessible, family-friendly, relatable, and has tons of great recipes.
She’s an internationally acclaimed registered dietitian and published peer-reviewed research. She was the lead dietitian in a diabetes randomized controlled trial in the Marshall Islands and the past chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
If you’ve ever had a question about plant-based nutrition, like whether it’s safe for kids, how to get enough protein, what to eat for muscle mass as you age, or how to reverse insulin resistance, Brenda Davis has the answer, and it’s backed by decades of research and clinical experience.
At the symposium, she’ll teach you:
- Which whole foods improve insulin sensitivity (legumes, whole grains, leafy greens, citrus)
- The role of nutrition in cognitive health, including antioxidants, plant-based omega-3s, and polyphenols
- How to preserve muscle mass through plant-based proteins, resistance training, and nutrient timing (especially crucial for aging adults and people with chronic conditions)
She’ll also critique conventional diabetes diets (hint: they’re not working) and show you why fiber-rich, nutrient-dense whole foods blow ultra-processed options out of the water.
Why you need to hear her: Whether you’re raising plant-based kids, managing a chronic condition, or just want to understand the real science behind plant-based nutrition (not internet myths), Brenda is the expert you’ve been waiting for. She’s the voice of reason, backed by evidence, with decades of real-world application.
But Wait, There’s More!
Dr. Barnard, Dr. B, and Brenda Davis are just a few of the headliners, but the lineup doesn’t stop there. The symposium is stacked with other incredible speakers:
- Dr. Joel Fuhrman (physician and author of Eat to Live)
- Chuck Carroll (host of The Exam Room podcast from PCRM)
- Bobby Mukkamala, MD (President of the American Medical Association)
- Jonathan and Phefelia Nez (Former President and First Lady of the Navajo Nation, advocates for food sovereignty and Indigenous health)
This isn’t just a conference. It’s a gathering of people who are literally changing the future of healthcare.
Let’s Talk About the Food
Beyond the learning and community, there are the meals.
At the Community of Wellness Symposium, the food isn’t an afterthought, it’s part of the education. It’s living proof that plant-based eating isn’t about deprivation — it’s about abundance, flavor, and feeling incredible.
Let’s be real. Most of the time we plant-based people are an afterthought at conferences. I usually bring a couple of granola bars each day of a conference to get through. Not at this conference.
At the Community of Wellness Symposium, every meal is as thoughtfully selected as the speakers. The meals are delicious and so beautifully prepared. Last year there were edible flowers, pops of color and options that were as filling as they were pretty.
Attendees raved about the food. It was nourishing, creative, and proof that plant-based eating isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about celebrating what food can be when it’s made with intention and care.
You’ll eat well. You’ll learn why you’re eating well. You’ll leave with the knowledge and inspiration to keep eating well for the rest of your life.
What Else You’ll Experience
Beyond the all-star speaker lineup and the incredible food, here’s what makes this symposium special:
Networking Opportunities (All Day Long)
You’ll be surrounded by healthcare professionals, wellness advocates, educators, and people who get it. This is your community. These are your people. Make connections. Exchange ideas. You’ll have chances to talk to the speakers informally at meals, formally during Q&A, and at the exhibitor tables during breaks.
CME Credits for Medical Professionals
If you’re a doctor, nurse, dietitian, health coach, or other healthcare provider, you can earn continuing medical education credits while learning evidence-based lifestyle medicine.
Guided Movement and Activity
“Walk With A Doc” sessions, breath work, stretching — because wellness isn’t just about what you eat.
Gala Dinner
On the evening of April 9, there’s a charity gala to support the Lotus Health Foundation, the organization making this event possible. It’s a chance to dress up, celebrate, and support a mission that’s transforming healthcare in Minnesota and beyond.
It’s in Minnesota
You don’t have to fly across the country. You don’t have to spend a fortune on travel. This world-class event is happening right here in Rochester, MN, just a short drive from the Twin Cities. It’s in our backyard. While you’re there, visit Old Abe & Co, known for its vegan bahn mi and fish-free salmon (so good!).
Wholesome Minnesota Will Be There
Wholesome MN is a program of CAA. Stop by our table to connect, grab resources, and talk about plant-based living in Minnesota. We’d love to meet you in person.
What You’ll Walk Away With
This isn’t just about sitting in a conference room for two days. It’s about transformation.
You’ll walk away with:
- Evidence-based strategies to prevent and reverse chronic disease
- Practical tools for optimizing gut health, brain health, metabolic health, and longevity
- A deeper understanding of how food works at a cellular level
- Confidence to make informed choices for yourself and your family
- Connections with like-minded people who are on the same journey
- Inspiration to keep going, keep learning, keep advocating
If you’re a healthcare professional, you’ll gain the knowledge and credibility to bring lifestyle medicine into your practice. You’ll change not just your own life, but the lives of your patients too.
Event Details: Everything You Need to Know
Dates:
- April 8, 2026: Early registration and pre-conference social hour (not required)
- April 9-10, 2026: Full symposium
Location:
Rochester, Minnesota (Mayo Civic Center)
Ticket Options:
- Wellness Symposium (General Admission): $397
- Gala Ticket (Charity Dinner): $89
- Gala & Wellness Symposium Bundle: $476
Accommodations:
Special rates available at EVEN Hotel Rochester (1.6 miles from Civic Center) and Hotel Indigo (within walking distance of the venue)
CME Credits:
Available for medical professionals
Can’t Make the Live Show?
If you can’t make it to Rochester on April 9-10, recorded content will be available for purchase after the event. You can still learn from Dr. Barnard, Dr. B, and Brenda Davis on your own schedule.
But honestly, If there’s any way you can be there in person, do it! The energy, the connections, the food, and the experience — it’s worth it. The recording will be great, but it’s not the same as being there.
This Is Your Invitation
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to invest in your health, your education, your community — this is it.
When legends announce a single show in your region, you don’t wait or hesitate, you get your ticket immediately before they’re gone.
Here’s your next steps.
- Register today. Don’t wait. Don’t let this slip through the cracks. Register here
- Tell your friends. Who in your life needs to hear this? Your plant-based bestie? Your health-conscious coworker? Your mom who keeps asking if you’re getting enough protein? Forward them this post. Invite them to come with you. Make it a road trip.
- Mark your calendar. April 9-10, 2026. Block it off now. Request the time off work. Arrange childcare. Do what you need to do to be there.
- Get excited. Because you’re about to learn from the best, eat incredibly well, and be part of a movement that’s transforming healthcare.
See you in Rochester.
About the Author:
Jodi Gruhn is a board-certified health and wellness coach and an advocate for plant-based living through Wholesome Minnesota and Compassionate Action for Animals. She helps individuals and communities make sustainable, evidence-based lifestyle changes that support both personal and planetary health. Stop by the Wholesome Minnesota table at the symposium to say hi!
