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.
TalkMedication & 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.
TalkCommunication 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.
TalkIt’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.
PanelWhat 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.
TalkLoneliness 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.
TalkDifficult 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.
TalkSparking 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.
Caregiver PanelThe 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.
MovementLaughter 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.
MovementRewiring 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.
MovementAncient 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.
MovementStronger 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.
TalkThe 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.
TalkThe 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.
TalkLearning 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.
