We're Building a Movement

Kelly McKenna is the CEO of End Chronic Disease. Prior to her work at End Chronic Disease, Kelly has led a number of social impact efforts, including serving as Managing Director of Stanford University Graduate School of Education’s Initiative on Learning Differences and the Future of Special Education as well as Chief Operating Officer and Founding Team member of ArtLifting, a for-profit, for-purpose business helping artists impacted by housing insecurity or disabilities commercialize their work. Kelly also spent eight years working in financial services, including in private credit, technology banking, and asset management at J.P. Morgan and Cliffwater LLC. Outside of work, Kelly serves on the board of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation in New York City, best known for its annual “Al Smith Dinner”. Kelly earned a BA in U.S. History from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a three-time All-American sailor and a Stanford University athletic record holder.

Nora Kenney is the director of communications at End Chronic Disease. Her media-strategy efforts support the organization’s state-level initiatives to revitalize public health and address the chronic illnesses that hinder national well-being. Previously, she was communications director at the Manhattan Institute, where her work on public policy appeared in City Journal, the Washington Free Beacon, National Review, the Washington Examiner, and more. In that role, she also supported scholars working on a wide range of health-policy issues—including FDA reform, entitlement policy, restoring scientific integrity at NIH and CDC, the dangers of medicalized gender interventions for youth, and the federal response to COVID-19. Many of those scholars now serve in senior roles at the White House, the Department of the Treasury, and other federal agencies. She holds a BA and MA in English from the University of Notre Dame. The daughter of a physician and a nurse, her passion for the "Make America Healthy Again" movement is deeply personal, shaped by her own experience managing chronic conditions through lifestyle and nutrition.

Gary Brecka is co-chair of End Chronic Disease, and the visionary founder of The Ultimate Human. A renowned human biologist, biohacker, and longevity expert with over two decades of experience analyzing human biomarkers, Gary’s unique approach combines the precision of science with the personal touch of individual wellness.

Before creating The Ultimate Human, Gary served as a leading mortality researcher for the life insurance industry, where he honed his expertise in predicting health outcomes based on comprehensive data analysis. However, Gary’s passion lies not in forecasting life spans but in extending them—enhancing the quality and vitality of every life.

The Ultimate Human is consistently ranked among the top five health and wellness podcasts, reaching and impacting thousands of lives through its powerful media platform. Through The Ultimate Human, Gary shares his deep knowledge and innovative strategies to help individuals navigate their health journeys. His work is driven by a profound belief in the power of informed, personalized health interventions to transform lives. With Gary’s guidance, The Ultimate Human continues to inspire and equip people to become the best versions of themselves, inside and out.

A practicing family physician and the founder and director of The UltraWellness Center, founder for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, and Board President for Clinical Affairs for The Institute for Functional Medicine. He is a fifteen-time New York Times bestselling author of The Pegan Diet, Food Fix, and most recently Young Forever – an instant #1 NYT bestseller. Dr. Hyman is the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Function Health and the founder and chairman of the Food Fix Campaign – dedicated to transforming our food and agriculture system through policy. He is the host of one of the leading health podcasts, The Dr. Hyman Show, which has over 250M+ downloads. He is also a regular medical contributor to CBS This Morning, Today, Fox, CNN, Good Morning America, The View, and CNN.

Dr. Will Cole is a leading functional medicine expert who consults people around the world, having started the first functional medicine telehealth centers in the world. Named one of the top 50 functional and integrative doctors in the nation, Cole specializes in clinically investigating underlying factors of chronic disease and customizing a functional medicine approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems.He is the host of the popular The Art of Being Well podcast and the New York Times bestselling author of Intuitive Fasting, Gut Feelings, Ketotarian and The Inflammation Spectrum.

CEO of CrossFit, a fitness movement with over 5 million athletes and over 13,000 gyms around the world. Prior to that, he was the CEO of Athos, a sports performance technology company that makes smart fitness apparel to serve Professional and Division I Collegiate sports programs, the Department of Defense, and everyday athletes. From 1999 to 2003, Don served with the United States Marine Corps as an infantry officer during Operation Enduring Freedom, including the initial invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. He later served as a platoon commander with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company during combat operations in Iraq.

A globally recognized fitness expert, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. With her no-nonsense approach to health, she has inspired millions through her fitness programs, books, and digital platforms. Best known for her role on The Biggest Loser, Michaels promotes a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition, emphasizing long-term health and self-empowerment. Her work continues to make fitness accessible and achievable for people of all levels.

Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Sweetgreen, a destination for simple, seasonal, healthy food. Nicolas and his co-founders Nathaniel Ru and Jonathan Neman launched Sweetgreen in 2007, opening their first location in Georgetown, DC, just three months out of college. The brand’s strong food ethos, embrace of passion and purpose, and investment in local communities have enabled Sweetgreen to grow into a national brand with more than 60 locations throughout the country. In 2015, First Lady Michelle Obama selected Nicolas for the Presidential Delegation to EXPO 2015, an international summit to discuss global nutrition and health as well as sustainable food solutions. He has been recognized as a key innovator in food and business, named to Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business,” Inc’s “30 Under 30”, Forbes’ “30 Under 30” and Food & Wine’s “40 Big Food Thinkers 40 and Under.”

Co-Founder and CEO of Plunge, a company that teaches that cold plunge therapy is more effective than many leading drugs for decreasing inflammation. When Ryan had what he calls his “greatest gift”: a head-on motorcycle accident in Thailand, the near-death experience catapulted him into a journey of self-inquiry, leading him to the jungles of the Amazon, the inside of a float tank, and a commitment to entrepreneurship in the Health and Wellness industry.

Justin Mares is a serial entrepreneur and investor at the forefront of health, wellness, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) innovation. He has founded several successful companies, including Kettle & Fire (a leading bone broth brand), Perfect Keto, and Surely (non-alcoholic wines). Justin is also the co-founder of TrueMed, revolutionizing HSA/FSA fund usage for everyday health purchases. As a venture partner at Long Journey Ventures and an angel investor, he actively supports and mentors startups. Justin shares valuable insights on DTC brands and entrepreneurship through his newsletter, "The Next Brand," and is involved in cutting-edge research on pathogen inactivation using microwave technology.

Founder and CEO of HumanCo – a mission-driven company that invests in and builds brands focused on healthier living and sustainability. In addition to HumanCo, Jason is the Co-Founder of Hu Kitchen, known for creating the #1 premium, organic chocolate in the U.S.. Prior to HumanCo, Jason spent over 21 years in the hedge fund industry where he was the Founder and CEO of an investment fund that managed over $4 billion. Jason graduated summa cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

The founder and CEO of Ways2Well, a healthcare company that provides personalized preventative care through telemedicine. With a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry, Buhler has focused on making healthcare more accessible by harnessing the power of technology to deliver effective and tailored treatments. His vision for improving health outcomes has positioned him as a leader in modern, patient-centered healthcare solutions.

A nutritionist, real food activist, and founder of the popular platform "Realfoodology." She advocates for transparency in the food industry, promoting the importance of whole foods and clean eating. Swan is passionate about educating the public on the benefits of a nutrient-dense diet, and she encourages sustainable, chemical-free farming practices to ensure better health for people and the planet.

Co-Founder and CEO of Momentous, a supplements-for-nutrition company, develops products in collaboration with dietitians from the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB and is committed to democratizing high performance by making advanced nutrition accessible to a broader audience including the United States Armed Forces. Jeff is a former NFL player and found that it was easy to get the supplements and nutrition needed when connected with coaches, dietitians and trainers. He helped bring performance products and expertise to consumers outside of professional sports.

A Harvard psychiatrist and researcher working at the interface of metabolism and mental health. He is the Founder and Director of the Metabolic and Mental Health Program and the Director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. For almost 30 years, he has held administrative, educational, research, and clinical roles in psychiatry at McLean and Harvard. He has been pioneering the use of the medical ketogenic diet in the treatment of psychiatric disorders—conducting research in this area, treating patients, writing, and speaking around the world on this topic.

A leading health and wellness advocate, filmmaker, and New York Times bestselling author of Genius Foods. His work focuses on the link between diet, lifestyle, and brain health, and he has become a trusted voice in educating people about how nutrition impacts cognitive function. Lugavere is passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health, and he frequently shares practical advice for optimizing brain performance and preventing disease.

CEO and Co-Founder of Pendulum Therapeutics. Colleen has over 20 years of experience managing and leading teams in biotech, pharma and academia. Before starting Pendulum Therapeutics, Colleen served as the Senior Manager of Biology at Pacific Biosciences, which is where she met her two co-founders. Prior to that, Colleen was a Scientist at Elan Pharmaceuticals. Colleen completed her postdoctoral research at Northwestern’s Children’s Memorial Hospital, received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University and received her B.A. in Biochemistry from Wellesley College.

Known as the "Food Babe," she is a food activist, author, and speaker committed to improving food quality and safety. She has built a powerful platform through her blog, advocating for transparency in food labeling and the removal of harmful chemicals from processed foods. Her activism has spurred significant changes in the food industry, encouraging consumers to make healthier, more informed choices while prompting companies to adopt cleaner practices.

Captain James Letchford attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he competed as a Division I wrestler and boxer. In 2003, he graduated with a B.S. in Economics and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his military service, he was immediately hired by CrossFit Inc. as the Chief Marketing Officer and lead CrossFit International. He was then the Chief Growth Officer at GORUCK Inc. for 3 years and is now the CEO of Strong Back Ventures.

Co-Founder of HigherDOSE, Lauren studied at The Institute of Integrative Nutrition where she became a certified holistic nutritionist and health coach. Lauren is a Canadian host, fitness expert and international model. She was the star of the popular web series “Woman Vs. Workout” which grossed over 15 million views. She has been featured in Women’s Health Magazine, Shape Magazine and Fitness Magazine.

CEO and co-founder of Perfect Keto, one of the fastest-growing nutrition companies in the world, and the founder of Equip, which was voted “Best Supplement Company” by Paleo Magazine. Dr. Gustin is also a Functional Medicine practitioner and a board-certified chiropractor who holds a master’s of science (M.S.) and doctorate of chiropractic (D.C). His mission is to help people achieve optimal health and well-being through movement, nutrition, stress management, and sleep.

Co-Founder and Co-CEO at mindbodygreen. She graduated from Stanford University with degrees in international relations and Spanish, and spent 10 years working at Fortune 500 companies including Gap, Walmart, and Amazon. Wachob lives in Miami, Florida with her husband, mbg Founder and Co-CEO Jason Wachob and their two daughters, Ellie and Grace. She is also the co-author of The Joy of Well-Being.

Jason Wachob is the Founder and Co-CEO of mindbodygreen and the author of Wellth. He has been featured in the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and Vogue, and has a B.A. in history from Columbia University, where he played varsity basketball for four years.

A food activist and advocate for healthier food systems and host of the Culture Apothecary podcast. She is committed to educating consumers on the importance of organic farming and the dangers of harmful additives in food products. Clark's mission is to inspire positive change in both personal health choices and industry standards, driving the movement toward cleaner, more responsible food production.

Co-founder and CEO of H.V.M.N. and Ketone-IQ, a company that specializes in ketone drinks. Before founding Ketone-IQ, Brandt worked as a Product Manager at Google, a freelance photographer, and an Adjunct Professor at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Brandt became interested in biohacking while at Stanford, where he and his co-founder, Geoffrey Woo, tracked their biomarkers, measured blood ketone levels, and did weekly 36-hour fasts.

A high school student and passionate food activist who has made waves advocating for sustainability and food security. Through her efforts, she raises awareness about the environmental and social impacts of industrial farming and champions the importance of ethical food sourcing. Despite her young age, Price is a powerful voice for the future of food systems and a dedicated advocate for change.

A Wall Street alum-turned-wellness entrepreneur. After leaving an intense finance career, she became inspired to live a more balanced lifestyle and revisit her Japanese roots and passion for herbal medicine. Shizu set out to help others regain their holistic health using traditions she grew up with and ones she learned along the way and is now the CEO of Apothékary.

Co-Founder & CEO of Thrive Market, a membership-based online platform that makes healthy living easy and accessible to all. Originally from Minnesota, Green saw firsthand the barriers that still exist for many families trying to access healthy and sustainable products. After graduating from Harvard and selling his first company, Green met his Thrive Market co-founders and set his sights on solving America’s food access problem.

Is a mission-driven business leader deeply passionate about democratizing health. He previously built Greatist.com into the largest health & wellness media site on the Internet for millennials (acquired by Healthline in 2019). Since, he's been working through Healthyish to support great health & healthcare companies like Galileo, Midi, Ro, Parsley, Oshi, NOCD, Peloton, and many more to scale and make a larger impact. Every week, he sends a weekly newsletter featuring 5 Healthyish Things (5HT).

Co-founder of Bloom, Mari Llewellyn decided to take ownership of her health by turning to wellness. With the help of her now-husband, Greg, she lost 90 pounds and finally found self-love. Inspired to help other women do the same, Mari created Bloom: high-quality, delicious health supplements designed to help everyone bloom into their best selves.

Andrew Gruel, a Johnson & Wales University graduate, is a food entrepreneur and media personality. He is the CEO and founder of American Gravy Restaurant Group, which includes Calico Fishhouse, Big Parm Pizza, and others. He previously founded Slapfish Restaurant Group.

Andrew has appeared on shows like Chopped Junior and Say It To My Face, and made guest appearances on NBC's TODAY, Fox News, CNN, and others. Featured in outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Food & Wine, he was named one of Fast Casual's Top 25 Business Executives and included in Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2017 Power List. He and his wife, Lauren, were named Pandemic Heroes by Restaurant Business Magazine. Andrew also co-hosts The SoCal Restaurant Show on AM 830.