presentations
Join us in the Northern Lights Room for a day of inspiring and educational talks and discussions from a range of experienced health and wellbeing professionals. Whether you come to simply listen, or ready with questions, there’s something for everyone in this year’s programme.
ENERGY BURSTS
Join us for 3 Energy Burst Talks. The first is delivered by The Kickabout Aberdeen on the benefits of being in a group; next hear from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland on their work and finally join Cairns Counselling to hear about the need for affordable counselling.
9:10 - 9:40
ENERGISING HEALTH with RAYONEX
New Insights into Gut Health, Energising Water and Pain Relief with RAYONEX BIOMEDICAL UK LTD.
​Join our joint main sponsor Rayonex Biomedical UK Ltd to discover how Rayonex technology is helping people feel better naturally — supporting gut health, boosting cell regeneration, and easing pain through the power of gentle, frequency-based energy.
9:45 - 10:30
PILLARS OF HEALTH - DIET, PHYSICAL EXERCISE, BRAIN CARE & MENTAL HEALTH
Join our experts, Professor Alexandra Johnstone, Peloton Instructor Bradley Rose, Dr Sarah Gregory and Lisa Feldano to discuss these fundamental pillars of health and come away with tips on how to look after these important aspects.
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Professor Alexandra Johnstone (BSc, MSc, PhD, PGCE, RNutr) is a member of the Rowett Institute Executive Committee as Theme Lead for Nutrition, Obesity and Disease. She obtained her PhD in 2001 and is a UK registered Nutritionist with Association for Nutrition.
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Bradley Rose brings his full experience to Peloton and shares his authentic truth to connect with Members. He’s a big believer that life is an adventure we shouldn’t take too seriously, so expect him to unapologetically be himself and keep you entertained. As a stroke survivor, he has overcome great obstacles and uses that experience to push Members to overcome their own struggles. With his unique blend of British charm, eccentric humor, and unfiltered optimism, everyone is quick to consider him a friend. Fun over fitness...but never losing fitness! Members love Bradley’s cheeky approach and his ability to always appear grateful for the moment.
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Dr. Sarah Gregory is the Chief Investigator of the IONA cohort study at Scottish Brain Sciences and a research fellow at the University of Edinburgh. She has a background in psychology, mental health and dementia clinical trials, as well as large dementia prevention cohort studies. The IONA cohort study aims to understand more about the diseases that cause dementia, the risk factors that contribute to these diseases and to support entry into future research. In her academic work, her primary research interests are focussed on the role of diet in dementia prevention, and the importance of sex and stress hormones in risk for future neurodegenerative disease.
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Scottish Action for Mental Health operate over 70 services in communities across Scotland, providing mental health social care support, addictions and employment services, among others. Together with national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention, and physical activity and sport, these services inform SAMH’s policy and campaign work to influence positive social change.
10:45 - 11:30
Panel Discussion
THE TRUTH ABOUT CHANGE with AKR FITNESS
Join our Education Sponsor Mike MacDonald of AKR Fitness for an honest look at what change really involves. It’s rarely a straight line, and it’s about far more than habits or willpower. Drawing on years of coaching experience, Mike will unpack why change often feels uncomfortable, how identity shapes our behaviour, and what actually helps people stay consistent when life gets busy. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how real, sustainable change happens, and practical ideas you can use straight away.
11:45 - 12:30
FINDING YOUR RHYTHM with PELOTON
Join our joint main sponsor for an inspiring and practical discussion with Peloton instructors Bradley Rose and Jermaine Johnson. It's easy to start a wellness journey, but sometimes without routine, it can be difficult to sustain. Jermaine and Bradley, known for their powerful classes and motivating energy, will share their personal and professional strategies for transforming motivation into sustainable, lifelong wellness routines.
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Bradley Rose brings his full experience to Peloton and shares his authentic truth to connect with Members. He’s a big believer that life is an adventure we shouldn’t take too seriously, so expect him to unapologetically be himself and keep you entertained. As a stroke survivor, he has overcome great obstacles and uses that experience to push Members to overcome their own struggles. With his unique blend of British charm, eccentric humor, and unfiltered optimism, everyone is quick to consider him a friend. Fun over fitness...but never losing fitness! Members love Bradley’s cheeky approach and his ability to always appear grateful for the moment.
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London born and raised, Jermaine is driven by the belief that you make your own opportunities. From working as a professional dancer through building a brand as a fitness coach and now in his dream role at Peloton, movement has always been at the heart of everything he does. But this isn’t just going with the flow—this is movement powered by a hunger to hustle. It’s about developing the determination and skill to navigate obstacles and always keep pushing forwards. With his focus and natural warmth, he helps people step out of their comfort zone but in tune with their own bodies—bringing them together to train hard whilst growing in confidence. Members love taking Jermaine's classes because they are getting 50% grit, 50% heart with every class. Jermaine is a coach to the core, and wants to spend time with members to make them stronger FIRST. He never skimps on fun, but the work is what's important!
13:00 - 13:45
HEALTHY WEIGHT & HEALTHY GUT: BALANCING WEIGHT LOSS WITH FEEDING YOUR GUT MICROBIOME
Join our three experts, Professor Johnstone, Dr Robson and Dr Sudder, in a conversation about weight loss, the new weight loss drugs and how to balance this with keeping your gut microbiome healthy.
Professor Alexandra Johnstone (PhD, RNutr) is a member of the Rowett Institute Executive Committee as Theme Lead for Nutrition, Obesity and Disease. She obtained her PhD in 2001 and is a UK registered Nutritionist with Association for Nutrition.
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Dr Sam Robson (MBChB, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFFP Dip BSLM/IBLM) is the Founder & Clinical Director of Temple Clinic. She is a medical doctor with over 30 years of experience specialising in menopause care, aesthetics, problem skin, and evidence based weight management. She is known for her balanced, science-led approach to hormonal health, lifestyle medicine and sustainable long-term wellbeing.
Dr Jennifer Sudder (MBChB, MRCGP, Dffp, PGDip Nutr Med, MFHom) is the founder of Promoting Health the Natural Way, a clinic practicing Integrative Homeopathic medical care. Jennifer first worked in hospital medicine before becoming a general practitioner. In 2003 she began training in homeopathic medicine which she has used in her work within the NHS and private sector ever since.
Panel Discussion
14:00 - 14:45
UNWIND: CALM WITHOUT ALCOHOL with GILLIAN COCKBURN
Join Gillian Cockburn, an Accredited Sobriety Coach and the founder of Finding You Coaching for an interactive talk exploring why so many of us turn to alcohol to “take the edge off” — and why it never really helps. Attendees will leave with practical techniques they can use that same day, plus an empowering understanding of how relaxation doesn't come from a bottle.
15:00 - 15:30
FUTURE PHYSIO: DON'T WAIT FOR HEALTH - BUILD IT: HOW TO ADDRESS MYTHS FOR A HEALTHIER YOU by SPEAR PHYSIOTHERAPY
Join our workshop sponsors Spear Physiotherapy for a no-nonsense guide to taking control of your body before it breaks down. Instead of waiting for pain to force you into the clinic, it shows you how to be proactive, not reactive; active in your rehab, not just lying there hoping passive treatments will fix everything. In clear, simple language it explains why things hurt (especially as we age), how rest can be both a friend and an enemy, and why long-term avoidance often makes you more fragile, not safer. It also tackles the modern tug-of-war between Google, formal education and real-world experience, helping you make sense of conflicting advice and turn noise into a plan. At its core, it’s about building strength, capacity and confidence step by step, so your future health is something you create, not something you cross your fingers and hope for.
15:45 - 16:15
FOOD, MOOD & MENOPAUSE
with DR MONIKA GOSTIC & DR HELEN GOLDIE
An interactive, evidence-based session designed to help participants understand the science of menopause, explore symptoms, and discover how lifestyle medicine, particularly nutrition, can support hormonal balance, wellbeing, and long-term health.
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Dr. Monika Gostic is a scientist, award-winning nutritionist, and lecturer at the University of Aberdeen. With a Ph.D. in Genetics and a background in molecular biology and cancer research, she uses a science-based approach to health and wellness through her consultancy, Dr. Monika Gostic Nutrition Ltd. She is the creator of the B.A.D. (Balanced. Authentic. Deserving.) method and focuses on topics like gut health, women's health, chronic disease prevention, and nutrition for (peri-) menopause.
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Dr. Helen Goldie is a clinical pharmacist and guest lecturer at Robert Gordon University. She has a Ph.D in Genetics and a background in physiology and diabetes research. She has over 20 years’ experience seeing patients, previously having trained in hospital and she now works in primary care and is currently the Lead Clinical Pharmacist at Great Western Medical Practice. She runs a variety of clinics daily but her focus and passion is Women's Health, for which she has recently pioneered Pharmacist -Led Group Menopause Consultations at her practice, the first in Scotland.
16:30 - 17:00
