2025 Wellness Summit

We often hear that our brains are like supercomputers, powerful and efficient at helping us function every day. But what if I told you that this powerful system—this "supercomputer"—is also deeply sensitive to the experiences we face, especially in the early years of life? And not just the good experiences, but the stress and trauma that we might not even realize have shaped us.
In our society, there's a tendency to focus on behaviors. How many times have we heard someone say, "What's wrong with that person?" Or even worse, how many of us have silently asked ourselves that question? These labels can be hurtful, and for many young people, they lead to feelings of shame and self-blame. They start to believe they are broken or stupid because of things they had no control over.
But what if we looked at behavior differently? What if instead of pointing fingers at youth and “what is wrong with them,” and instead explored what happened to the person in front of us? When we shift away from blame and try to understand, we unlock the potential for healing, growth, and greater resiliency.
I’ll explore how early life experiences, especially those filled with stress and adversity, shape the way our brains process, remember, and respond to the world. How these experiences can impact not only our mental health but the way we interact with others.
I want to share with you the science behind stress, memory, and resilience. I want to show how understanding these processes, can change the way we think about ourselves and others.