In the midst of planning a 2006 annual meeting with my team, I decided to throw out all the rules and created a “business meeting” where no business was to be discussed. No pie charts, no sales goals, no marketing plans or business projections. And in their place: discussions of self-awareness, urges to follow your dreams, and lessons about life. In an industry that requires our staff to be patient, empathetic, and mindful every day, I wanted to invest in creative and meaningful ways to energize and enrich the lives of my employees and leadership.
So, sixteen years ago, E.P.I.C. was born. The acronym stands for Empowering People, Inspiring Consciousness and I’ve been so fortunate to have some amazing speakers share their stories and knowledge with my team over the years, providing lectures, books, and many other forms of actionable knowledge for personal growth and wellness. It was hard to choose just 5 voices in longevity to share with you, but here are my picks:
Dr. Deepak Chopra
DEEPAK CHOPRA, MD, FACP, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation.
Even though it’s been almost fourteen years since Dr. Deepak Chopra took the E.P.I.C. stage to discuss the theme of “Attracting Life’s Positives” in 2008, his message stands firm in my mind. As a master of meditation and a leader in the mindset revolution of stress-free living, Dr. Chopra guides readers and viewers alike in a mission to see past negatives, practice gratitude, and attract positivity in their lives. His podcasts and guided meditations are excellent for anyone looking to start on their meditation journey.
Dr. Wayne Dyer
WAYNE W. DYER was an internationally renowned author and speaker in the fields of self-development and spiritual growth. Over the four decades of his career, he wrote more than 40 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers.
Dr. Wayne Dyer is the only speaker in the history of E.P.I.C. two join us for two separate conferences. He took the E.P.I.C. stage in 2008, speaking to the theme of “Overcoming Extreme Adversity”, where he shared how he overcame the obstacles of his past—growing up in various orphanages and foster homes—to manifest success through vision and determination. He returned in 2015 to share his philosophy on the theme of “1 Body 1 Mind 1 Soul and then…” leaving us with the powerful notion: “You can do all that God can do because you are, in essence, a piece of God.”
Dr. Becky Su
DR. BECKY SU was born in China and graduated from Harbin Medical University with a Medical Doctor's degree in western medicine.
Currently, Dr. Su is a diplomate of the National Committee for Certified Acupuncturists and a Washington State Licensed acupuncturist. She has been practicing Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Bellevue since 1993. With her combination of acupuncture skills and western medicine background, she is able to treat patients in a most unique way.
After her appearance at E.P.I.C. 2015, our year all about “1 Body 1 Mind 1 Soul and then…”, Dr. Becky Su went on to be a trusted consultant and advisory council member for Aegis Living, especially in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine is an amazing insight into global approaches in healthcare and she is a fierce advocate of the idea that happiness is the key to our longevity.
Dr. Raymond Moody
RAYMOND A. MOODY JR, Ph.D. MD is a world-renowned scholar, lecturer, and researcher, and is widely recognized as the leading authority on near-death experiences as he coined the term NDE. He is the bestselling author of many books, including Life After Life, Glimpses of Eternity, The Light Beyond, and Coming Back.
Who better to speak on the theme of “1 Body 1 Mind 1 Soul and then…” than an expert in near-death experiences? Dr. Moody is an amazing speaker who bridges the gaps between science and spirituality, offering new perspectives on death, the afterlife, and mourning. For folks in an industry like senior healthcare and assisted living, his insights were incredibly comforting, enlightening, and vital.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta
RAJ DASGUPTA MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM
Dr. Raj’s life mission is to educate patients, students, and aspiring doctors about better patient care. He is currently a Professor at the University of Southern California (USC). He is quadruple board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. You may have seen him on one of his many TV appearances, such as “The Doctors”, “Bill Nye Saves the World”, “ESPN”, “Larry King Now” and “You Can Do Better”.
Other than that, he likes to say he's “just a regular dude!” He was a big hit at EPIC 2020 at our conference entitled “Heal”. Dr. Raj discussed everything you could possibly want to know about how sleep affects our lives 24/7 and how you need to focus on more than just getting your eight hours to reap all the positive effects of sleep for longevity.
I hope you get a chance to explore these amazing speakers and their work in an effort to further your passion for wellness and personal development.
Until next time, Live Well, Live Long!
~Dwayne