THE MODERN RESILIENCE SUMMIT 2026

THE MODERN RESILIENCE SUMMIT 2026

Neurowellness and the Science of Thriving in the Age of Burnout

Thriving in the Age of Burnout

7 November 2026 · 8AM – 8PM · Soho House, Hong Kong

7 November 2026

8AM – 8PM

Soho House, Hong Kong

A one-day summit bringing together the world’s leading researchers, clinicians, and practitioners to redefine what it means to thrive in an era of chronic stress, cognitive overload, and accelerated burnout.

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Regular Price Tickets End October 16. Grab your tickets now.

REDEFINING RESILIENCE FOR A WORLD THAT NEVER SWITCHES OFF

Burnout is no longer an edge case—it’s the defining health challenge of our generation. Chronic stress, cognitive overload, disrupted sleep, and always-on culture are reshaping how our bodies age, how our minds perform, and how long we can sustain peak function in work and life.

The Lifestyle Medicine Asia Summit 2026 presents: “The Modern Resilience – Neurowellness and the Science of Thriving in the Age of Burnout”. On 7th November 2026, we will bring together global experts in neuroperformance, stress physiology, recovery science, and integrative medicine to explore what true resilience looks like in the modern world—and how clinicians, founders, and high-performers can build it intentionally.

This isn’t about surviving the demands of modern life. It’s about thriving within them.

THE FULL SUMMIT EXPERIENCE

THE SCIENCE OF MODERN RESILIENCE

The 2026 programme is being curated around four interconnected pillars. Specific sessions and speakers will be announced in the coming months.

2026 Speakers

more speakers coming soon

Dr Denise Furness

PhD

Topic

Wired for Stress?
Genetics, Epigenetics and Building Resilience in a Modern World

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain individual differences in stress vulnerability by considering the interaction between genetic susceptibility, environment, lifestyle and life stage.
  2. Interpret selected genetic pathways relevant to stress and resilience using COMT, MTHFR and BDNF as practical examples relating to neurotransmitter metabolism, methylation and neuroplasticity.
  3. Describe the role of epigenetic plasticity in the stress response and explain how environmental and lifestyle factors can influence gene regulation and biological function.
  4. Recognise factors that may contribute to increased vulnerability to chronic stress and burnout in women during midlife including hormonal changes and cumulative psychosocial demands.
  5. Apply practical, evidence-informed strategies to support resilience and recovery incorporating nutrition, exercise, sleep and circadian health, stress regulation and targeted nutritional support where appropriate.

Topic

Burnout and Accelerated Brain Ageing: The Mitochondrial Connection

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the role of mitochondria in brain energy metabolism
  2. Describe how chronic stress, oxidative stress, inflammation and other
    lifestyle factors can disrupt mitochondrial function
  3. Explore the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and
    accelerated brain ageing
  4. Identify practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support
    mitochondrial and brain health

Denise Furness, PhD is a molecular geneticist and global leader in nutrigenomics and epigenetics, with over 20 years of experience. Her award-winning research during her academic career focused on gene-nutrient interactions, DNA methylation, and DNA damage.

In 2012, she founded Your Genes and Nutrition, bridging scientific expertise with clinical practice. Specialising in fertility, thyroid health, and healthy ageing, Denise has shown how to slow biological aging by optimising DNA methylation through nutrition and lifestyle interventions.

Her personal journey overcoming autoimmune thyroid disease and inherited susceptibility to Dementia drives her mission to empower others to achieve better health and longevity.

Dr Thomas G. Guilliams

PhD

Topic

The Role of Stress And The HPA Axis in Chronic Disease Management

Learning Objectives

Learners should walk away with a greater understanding of:

How the HPA axis functions to manages the stress response system within the context of energy and metabolic management.
How the timing and magnitude of cortisol can help assess HPA axis function/dysfunction
Identifying the 4 primary categories of HPA axis Activation- acute and chronic
Fundamental Therapies that help reverse HPA axis dysfunction and build resilience to stress and stress-related outcomes.

Tom earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology and immunology from the Medical College of Wisconsin and is a recognized expert in nutritional and non-pharmacological interventions. He has authored widely used educational “Road Maps” for functional and integrative medicine clinicians, including his work on HPA axis dysfunction and stress.

Tom also teaches at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy as an Adjunct Associate Professor and lectures nationally on lifestyle and natural agents as first-line therapies.

Today, he consults with organizations in the natural products and integrative medicine fields where he endeavors to continue making a real difference in the health and lives of millions.

Dr Benita Perch

ND

Topic

Decoding midlife burnout: A Clinical Framework for root-cause assessment.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify the primary physiological drivers of chronic inflammation in midlife burnout, including HPA axis dysregulation, metabolic dysfunction, and immune system activation.
  2. Apply a five-domain clinical assessment framework to evaluate patients presenting with midlife burnout, integrating naturopathic, homeopathic, and functional medicine principles.
  3. Analyse the interplay between hormonal, mitochondrial, gastrointestinal, neurological, and lifestyle factors contributing to midlife depletion and chronic fatigue presentations.
  4. Interpret relevant functional and conventional laboratory markers used to assess inflammation, adrenal function, and metabolic health in burnout patients.
  5. Formulate individualised, root-cause treatment strategies that address the underlying drivers of burnout rather than symptomatic presentations alone.
  6. Evaluate clinical decision-making through the review of real-world case studies demonstrating framework application, treatment sequencing, and patient outcomes.
Recognised for two consecutive years as a leading ‘Woman of Wellness’ in Hong Kong, Dr Benita Perch is IMI’s Managing Director, Senior Partner, and highly sought-after Naturopathic Physician. For over eighteen years, she has helped thousands of clients from all over the world achieve optimal health and wellbeing. She offers consultations in-clinic in Hong Kong, as well as online appointments for HK and international clients.

Benita takes a truly integrated approach to healing. With her clients’ unique needs and challenges in mind, she combines significant expertise in conventional pathology, modern diagnostic testing, functional medicine, pharmacology, homeopathy, herbal medicine and clinical nutrition to treat the root causes of health issues for long-term healing.

Dr Sinead Sheridan

BSc, PhD, ACSM-EP

Topic

HRV, Movement, and the Autonomic Nervous System

Learning Objectives

HRV, Movement/Exercise and the Autonomic Nervous System

  1. Understand heart rate variability (HRV) as a primary clinical biomarker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function and stress resilience
  2. Interpret HRV data from a sex specific context rather than universal numbers
  3. Identify the lifestyle factors that affect HRV
  4. Understand the effects of exercise/movement on the ANS and how it can both prevent and contribute to burnout
  5. Prescribe exercise to prevent and/or treat burnout for patients from an ANS perspective

Dr. Sinead Sheridan, a certified exercise physiologist (ACSM-EP), academic and consultant has spent over 15 years working in preventive medicine. She completed her PhD in Clinical Exercise Physiology at The Centre for Preventive Medicine, Dublin City University and postdoctoral research at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Specifically, her research focuses on examining the role of exercise and nutrition in the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-mediated chronic diseases and in optimizing human performance. She has published in over 25+ top ranking peer-reviewed journals including Frontiers in Physiology, The Journal of Nutrition and Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise and has presented at numerous international conferences including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting and the European College of Sports Science (ECSS) Annual Congress.

Leveraging her expertise in clinical exercise physiology, nutrition and preventive health, Sinead currently serves as Executive Vice President for Preventive Medicine at IMG Medical Group, providing consultancy on health optimization and longevity across core cities in Asia. She is also a Consultant Scientific Advisor for The National Longevity Clinic, Harley Street, London. As a preventive health consultant, she provides health concierge consultancy that coordinates diagnostics, evidence-based therapeutics and lifestyle medicine into a single, longevity-focused accountable health management strategy for individuals.

Clare Pemberton

MSc, MHKPCA

Topic

Breathwork Beyond the Trend

Learning Objectives

Coming Soon

Clare Pemberton is a registered psychotherapist (MSc, MHKPCA) and certified breathwork practitioner based in Hong Kong. Founder of Ember Wellness, she integrates verbal psychotherapy with somatic tools, offering a trauma informed, evidence based approach to healing and growth.

Clare specialises in supporting clients through stress, transition and relational challenges by honouring the nervous system’s role in shaping behaviour and resilience. She believes somatic practices like breathwork are essential within a holistic framework for wellbeing, not optional add ons.

Passionate about equipping practitioners with accessible, nervous system literate strategies, Clare brings warmth, rigour and practical wisdom to every space she holds.

Time Duration Details
8:30 AM 15 min Registration
8:45 AM 10 min Welcome Remarks
8:55 AM 60 min Dr Denise Furness
9:55 AM 60 min Dr Benita Perch
10:55 AM 30 min Break + Exhibition
11:25 AM 60 min Dr Sinead Sheridan
12:25 PM 90 min LUNCH
2:00 PM 40 min Claire Pemberton
2:45 PM 60 min Dr Denise Furness 
3:45 PM 30 min Break + Exhibition
4:15 PM 60 min Dr Tom Guilliams
5:15 PM 60 min TBC
6:15 PM 10 min Closing Remarks + Announcements
6:30PM 60min Cocktails/Canapes + Networking
7:30 PM End

*Schedule is tentative and may change on the actual date.

SECURE YOUR PLACE

The earlier you book, the more you save. Tickets are released in tiers and prices increase as we approach the summit date.

Early Bird

HK$2,250
  • ends August 31

Regular

HK$2,650
  • September 01 ~ October 16

Last Minute

HK$3,250
  • October 17 ~ November 05

OUR PARTNERS

Patron

Gold

Silver

Recovery Partners

Refreshment

Become a 2026 Partner

Reach a curated audience of practitioners, clinicians, founders, and health professionals across Hong Kong, China, and Singapore.

Differentiated sponsorship tiers available.

JOIN US ON 7 NOVEMBER 2026 AT SOHO HOUSE, HONG KONG