Girl power to take centre stage at wellness summit

A WELLNESS summit spotlighting women’s health will be held for the first time this October in Geelong.

The inaugural State of Wellness event, which has been championed by Revitalize Lifestyle founder Jo Surkitt, aims to showcase the region as a health, wellbeing and sustainable living hub where women can connect, celebrate and learn from each other.

Topics such as mental health, gut health, healthy hormones, life transitions, work-life integration, neuroscience, positive psychology, emotional intelligence, food and mood, healthy eating and compassionate fatigue will be discussed across the course of the day.

Ms Surkitt, who is a qualified wellness practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in the field, said she was inspired to organise a local summit when she noticed a gap in women’s health.

“People don’t necessarily know how to help their health. There’s so much information out there, but it can often be information overload.

“This summit will have a lot of different practitioners and experts so they (female attendees) can resonate with someone.”

Exhibitors include Ministry of Skin, Pioneer Family Chiropractic and Aspire Wellbeing, while guest speakers comprise of PhD candidates Madeline West and Meghan Hockey from Deakin University’s Food and Mood Centre, to Olympic gold medallist Lauren Burns and financial adviser Samantha Butcher.

In addition to the start-studded line-up of speakers, the summit will be emceed by Geelong media personality Roxie Bennett, who will share her weight-loss tips and journey to wellness.

Ms Surkitt said the one-day event has been designed to empower women so they can make sustainable and positive changes in their lives.

“My clients are finding it hard to balance their lives. Life as a modern woman is like juggling wild animals and firecrackers.

“Rather than waiting until it’s almost too late, I have created the State of Wellness to teach women strategies on how to manage themselves and their health.

“I want to empower women with knowledge and help build a network so that women who are struggling with certain health challenges know that they are not alone.”

She also said the most inspiring and promising aspect of events such as these is the catalyst for meaningful discussion it presents.

“In these environments, discussions will start. It’s really beautiful to see women sharing their stories with each other, and finding out strategies they can implement,” she said.

There will also be a Positive Change Expo, featuring a range of specialists who will display their products and services, as well as a wholefoods menu to sustain guests throughout the day.

The State of Wellness summit can cater to up to 250 people, with 100 already locked in.

It will be held on run from 8.15am-5.30pm at GMHBA Stadium (370 Moorabool Street, Geelong) on World Mental Health Day (Thursday October 10). Tickets are $215 and available via stateofwellness.com.au where you will also find the full program and complete list of exhibitors, practitioners and speakers.