Bulletproof Brain Summit · Recap
Thank You for an Unforgettable Day
A Healthier, Brighter Future for All Ages — brought to life on September 5, 2026 in Anacortes, WA.
Fidalgo Bay RV Resort Event Center • September 5, 2026I am overjoyed by the kindness and gratitude shown by all of you wonderful humans who attended the Bulletproof Brain Summit on September 5. It was a beautiful day of learning, shared experience, sunshine, connection and movement! I was so incredibly grateful to the volunteers, speakers, sponsors, vendors, and of course, the attendees for putting their faith in me to pull off this event. And, of course, for all the hands that helped bring it to fruition on the day of.
I write down goals and read them over and over; this brain summit was one of them. I don’t say this to brag, but I am so proud of myself for following through on this goal. Sometimes, it felt really hard and I just wanted to throw in the towel, but I didn’t.
I continue to live the important pillars that PNW Home For Life Foundation embodies — nutrition, nature, movement/strength training, social connection, home safety, and sleep! Simple, consistent steps make a big difference in our quality of life. And let’s also remember that making life TOO easy isn’t the answer either. We must use our brains and our bodies, or surely we will lose our capacity and our sense of purpose.
Much love to this community — you definitely showed up for yourselves, for me, and for each other this month!
Warmly,
Connie Colleen Wyatt Founder, PNW Home For Life FoundationSee You at the Second Bulletproof Brain Summit!
Thank you to everyone who showed up to learn, grow, connect, and move together. We’re already looking forward to our second Bulletproof Brain Summit next year — stay tuned for the date, and we hope to see you again.
A Day to Remember
Moments of learning, laughter, and connection from the 2026 Summit — thank you to every speaker, sponsor, vendor, volunteer, and attendee who made it so special.
Want to See Some of the Learning from September 5, 2026?
We’ve combined the slides and handouts our speakers and vendors gave us permission to share into one packet, so you can revisit what you learned — or catch up on a session you missed.
Want to Help This Work Continue?
Several people asked us at the Summit how they could support PNW Home For Life Foundation beyond attending our programs. As a nonprofit organization, community support helps us keep programs accessible and continue building resources that help older adults age well at home.
You can support the Foundation through a one-time or recurring monthly gift, and we also welcome conversations about legacy gifts, gifts through a will or trust, retirement-account beneficiary designations, donor-advised funds, and other planned gifts.
If PNW Home For Life Foundation is an organization you’d like to include in your long-term giving, please reach out directly to foundation@pnwhomeforlife.com. We’re happy to provide our legal organization name, EIN, mailing information, and any documentation you or your financial or estate-planning professional may need.
No gift is expected. We are simply grateful that so many of you asked how you could help this work continue.
Bulletproof Brain SummitBuilding a Stronger Brain — at Every Age
🧩 On-Site Dementia Engagement Program available for your loved ones →A Day Built Around Your Brain
The Bulletproof Brain Summit brings together local experts, researchers, caregivers, and people living with dementia for a full day of honest, practical, inspiring conversations about brain health. Whether you’re trying to reduce your risk, caring for a loved one, or simply want to understand what’s happening — this day is for you.
Medication & the Aging Brain: What Your Doctor Hasn’t Told You
A retired neurologist and former Program Director for the MS Center at EvergreenHealth, Dr. Simnad brings decades of clinical expertise and personal caregiving experience. She’s focused on how medications, inflammation, and lifestyle intersect to affect cognitive health — and how to ask better questions of your doctor.
Communication Strategies in Dementia: How We Adapt as Our Loved Ones Speak Less
A bilingual neurologist and neuroscientist educated at Harvard and Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Murphey is also a care partner to family members living with dementia. She founded PrognosUs to improve dementia care through culturally responsive education and technology, and is passionate about helping families adapt their communication with compassion and confidence.
It’s Never Too Late: Movement, Mindset, and the Aging Brain
Case brings a CrossFit coach’s perspective to brain health — exploring how movement, mindset, and consistent physical challenge at any age can meaningfully change your cognitive trajectory. His talk is practical, energizing, and grounded in lived experience with aging athletes.
What Dementia Actually Feels Like — First-Person Voices
David holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and lives with frontotemporal degeneration and likely Alzheimer’s. He brings rare scientific insight and lived experience to rehumanize the diagnosis. Joined by Mark Sanderson in an honest, early-stage conversation about what dementia looks like from the inside.
Loneliness Is a Brain Disease: The Neuroscience of Social Connection
A Speech-Language Pathologist and cognitive coach who believes brain fitness deserves the same attention as physical fitness. Libby brings a distinctive lens to human connection — exploring how isolation affects the brain as measurably as blood pressure.
Difficult Conversations Done Right: Driving, Memory, and End-of-Life
With 15+ years in dementia care, a Master of Social Work, and hands-on roots as a CNA and EMT, Kelsey specializes in community integration and caregiving communication. Known for bringing warmth, joy, and even humor to hard conversations, she’ll send you home with real tools and real confidence.
Sparking Joy & Connection: Seven Ways to Infuse Music Into Dementia Caregiving
Board-certified music therapist, certified dementia practitioner, and 2025 Maude’s Award recipient for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care. Alexis pioneered virtual music engagement programs for people with dementia and co-authored The Caregiver’s Advocate. A passionate advocate for joy as medicine.
The Caregiver Identity Crisis: Grieving the Shift While Still Showing Up
A powerful panel sharing the raw, honest experience of shifting from spouse or child to caregiver — and how to grieve that change while still showing up. Birch cares for his husband David (living with FTD) and founded Guemes CARES. Rod is a retired dentist who cared for his wife through early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Lunch, Laughs & Resource Booths
Enjoy lunch while browsing tables from local organizations, care resources, and community partners. We’ll also screen a curated selection of comedian clips on aging — because laughter really is good medicine.
Also hoping to confirm: Waymaker Transport, Wellness for Life & Dementia Support NW.
Laughter Yoga: Laugh for the Health of It
A certified Laughter Yoga leader whose passion grew from her own journey through breast cancer recovery. Toni teaches that intentional laughter supports mood, reduces stress, strengthens social bonds, and keeps us moving. Come curious, leave energized.
Rewiring Movement: How Your Nervous System Shapes Healthy Aging
Creator of Neural Reintegration Therapy, licensed massage therapist, personal trainer, and movement coach. After watching 90-year-olds thrive in Hong Kong through simple daily movement routines, Rob moved to Anacortes with a mission: decline isn’t inevitable, and small consistent habits change everything.
Ancient Practices, Modern Science: Tai Chi, Qigong & the Brain
Bob bridges thousands of years of Tai Chi and Qigong wisdom with today’s neuroscience on balance, resilience, and brain health. This gentle movement session shows how mindful, deliberate movement is one of the most powerful tools we have for healthy aging.
Stronger for Longer: Why Strength Training May Be the Fountain of Youth
A CrossFit coach and high school athletics coach, Jodi makes the evidence-based case that strength training is one of the most powerful tools for longevity, brain health, and quality of life — and that it’s never too late to start.
The Financial Side of Aging: What Medicare Doesn’t Cover & How to Protect What You’ve Built
Elder law and estate planning attorney serving families across Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties. Phil focuses on the moment of diagnosis — when families most need legal guidance. Long-term care averages $11,000/month in western WA; he explains how early planning and Medicaid, used correctly, can protect middle-class families.
The Brain Health Ecosystem: Hormones, Gut Health, Nutrition & Movement
Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, certified yoga instructor, and founder of Wellness for Life. Amanda specializes in health optimization and longevity medicine, focusing on how nutrition, movement, gut health, sleep, hormones, and stress management interact to support lifelong brain health.
Learning New Things as We Age: How Novelty Rewires the Brain
A retired law enforcement officer and martial arts instructor since 1973, Darby has spent decades watching how the brain responds to challenge. Your brain doesn’t need life-altering changes — just small, consistent novelty. Aggregation of marginal gains keeps you moving forward.
On-Site Dementia Engagement Program
We want everyone to be able to attend — including care partners who couldn’t otherwise leave a loved one living with dementia at home alone. Heartsong HomeCare Cooperative has generously donated two caregivers for the full day to run an on-site Dementia Engagement Program (adult day care) right here at the Summit.
While you attend sessions, your loved one will be warmly supported with:
- Conversation & reminiscing
- Music
- Simple games & puzzles
- Crafts
- Seated movement or stretching
- Sensory activities
- Snacks & hydration
- Outdoor time (weather permitting)
Assistance with toileting and eating is provided, and lunch is included for participants at no extra cost. During the lunch hour, everyone is welcome back together in one room if your loved one would like to join you.
💛 When you register, please register your loved one as well and note that they’ll be joining the Dementia Engagement Program — this helps us make sure we have enough hands on deck.
Ready to Join Us?
This is a day that could genuinely change how you think about your brain, your aging, and the people you love. We want everyone here — register using the pay-what-you-can ticket option.
Register Now →💛 Pay what you can. We want you here — whatever that looks like.
