Boulder is proud to name the NourishED Research Summit as its 2025 Health Event of the Year. This powerful, four-day virtual gathering is changing how we understand eating disorders, mental health, and public wellness—and it’s all led by one of Boulder’s own: Dr. Brenna Bray (recently named Boulder’s Health Coach, Advocate, & Researchers of the Year).

Brenna Bray, PhD was awarded Bouldr’s 2025 Health Coach and Health Advocate of the Year. Bray Directs the NourishED Research Foundation, teaches at Naropa University and the National University of Natural Medicine, and runs a Nationaly recognized Health Coaching business (www.brennabray.com).

A Summit With Purpose

Hosted by the NourishED Research Foundation, the summit will be held online (virtually) September 12–14, and brings together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and advocates from around the world.

The summit will commence on Friday, Sept 12, with a keynote from Matthew Hicks, ND, MS (OR Psilocybin Advisory Board, National University of Natural Medicine, Synaptic Intitute) sharing findings from his clinical trial exploring psilocybin assited therapy use in low-income depression.

The main summit sessions will be held on Saturday, Sept 13 and Sunday, Sept 14 (9a – 7p MDT). 

A Schedule That Speaks for Itself

With just a quick glance of the summit schedule (below), it’s easy to see that this conversatin is not just about eating disorders; it’s about mental health broadly!

Moreover, this summit isn’t just for researchers or clinicians; NourishED is including everyone in this new conversation — researchers, providers, innovators, policymakers, advocates, students, teachers, learners, and YOU!

Whether you’re a student, a provider, or someone curious about health, you’ll find something meaningful here.

Changing the Conversation Around Eating Disorders & Mental Health

The summit’s theme is bold and clear: Changing the Conversation Around Eating Disorders & Mental Health.

For too long, eating disorders have been misunderstood, especially binge eating disorder, which affects up to 20% of adults but often goes 95% undetected and undiagnosed and 85 – 90% untreated, Bray says.

The NourishED Summit (Sept 12 – 14) Seeks to Change the Conversation Around Eating Disorders & Mental Health. Sunday keynotes include Brenna Bray, PhD; Cory Richards; and Erica Zelfand, ND (“Dr. Z”).

“Most people think of anorexia when they hear ‘eating disorder,’” says Dr. Bray. “But binge eating disorder is far more common—and far less talked about.”

Meet the Visionary Behind the Movement

Dr. Brenna Bray, PhD, is the Founder, Director, CEO, and Principal Investigator of the NourishED Research Foundation (nominatd for this year’s Nonprofit of the Year, with results announced Thursday, August 28).

Dr. Bray was recently awarded Boulder’s 2025 Health Coach, Advocate, & Researcher of Year. She is a multi-certified behavioral health and integrative nutrition coach (brennabray.com) as well as an Associate Professor at the National University of Natural Medicine, a Research Associate at Helfgott Research Institute, and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Boulder’s own Naropa University – in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA Program and in the Psychology Department & Psychedelic Studies Concentration.

Her work spans clinical research, education, and public advocacy. You can explore her publications on PubMed, read her health column on AboutBoulder, or connect via LinkedIn.

Real Talk, Real Data

One of the summit’s most powerful messages is this: eating disorders are not just about food or body image. They’re deeply connected to trauma, adversity, stigma, and access to care.

“We have data showing that 55–65% of food pantry users meet criteria for an eating disorder,” Bray explains. “And they’re not restricting food to lose weight—they’re trying to stretch meals, prioritize their kids, or choose toiletries over groceries.”

This kind of insight is exactly what the summit aims to highlight.

The NourishED Research Foundation is a 501c3 organization that uses research to improve awareness and understanding of eating disorders and their social justice roots (https://nourishedrfi.org).

What NourishED Stands For 💡

The NourishED Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses research to change the conversation around eating disorders. Their mission is to improve awareness, understanding, prevention, treatment options, and lived experiences—for everyone.

They do this in four key ways:

1. Offering free/low-cost resources to support physical and mental health.
2. Providing training for providers on screening, detection, and care.
3. Conducting inclusive research to develop viable solutions.
4. Using social media to shift the environments where eating disorders take root.

Learn more at nourishedrfi.org.

Free Access for NourishED Staff & Friends

Summit registration is just $55, but NourishED is extends free registration to staff, partners, and friends who help spread the word or want to attend but can’t afford regidtration fees.

 

The NourisED Research Summit will be held online Sept 11 – 14 and is FREE for NourishED Staff, Partners, & Friends — including AboutBoulder Readers. Register throught the free registration link at https://nourishedrfi.org/nrfi-summit.

“Our priority is really to make this information accessible,” Dr. Bray says. “We value that over profit. If folks want to attend but cant afford registration, we invite them to register free thorugh the “NourishED Staff, Partners, & Friends Registration (Free)” link on the site page.”

The summit is virtual, making it easy to join from anywhere. And with sessions running from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. MDT, there’s plenty of time to dive deep into the content.

Empowerment Through Education

The summit isn’t just about learning—it’s about empowerment. Through story, science, and shared experience, attendees will walk away with tools to make real change in their communities.

Expect sessions on trauma, stigma, stress, and health equity. You’ll also find discussions on mindfulness, psychedelic science, and narrative-based healing.

A Boulder-Based Movement With Global Impact

Though the summit is virtual, its roots are firmly planted in Boulder. Dr. Bray’s leadership and local ties have helped shape a movement that’s reaching far beyond Colorado.

With a growing team, national partnerships, and a thriving online presence, NourishED is already making waves across the country.

Join the Conversation

Want to be part of Boulder’s Health Event of the Year? Register now at nourishedrfi.org/nrfi-summit. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting your journey, your voice matters.

The sumit opens on Friday, Sept 12 with a keynote from Matthew Hicks, ND, MS (Heather Zwickey, PhD has moved to Sunday, Sept 14).

Let’s change the conversation—one story, one insight, one connection at a time.

Summit Schedule – Friday, Sept 12: Changing the Conversation on “Sickness & Health”

Sessions on Friday, September 12 include:

• 5p MDT Matthew Hicks, ND, MS, “Psilocybin Assisted Therapy in Low Income Depression”
• 6p MDT David Bryant, JD, “The Legal Side of Food Regulations and Systems”

Summit Schedule – Saturday, Sept 13: Changing the Conversation on Eating Disorders

Sessions on Saturday, September 13  include:

• •  9a MDT: Boulder’s own Brenna Bray, PhD, “Binge Eating Disorder: The Social Justice Crisis You’ve Never Heard Of”
  • 10a MDT: David A. Wiss, PhD, MPH, RDN, “Functional Medicine: The Missing Puzzle Piece to Mental Health?”
  • 11a MDT: Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD, “Wisdom in Practice: Reflections from the Frontlines”
  • 1p MDT: Boulder’s own Francis Kaklauscas, Francis Kaklauskas PsyD, LPC, CACIII, AGPA-F, CGP, “Brilliant Sanity: Buddhist Informed Contemplative Counseling in Clinical Mental Health”
  • 2p MDT: Boulder’s own PJ Gunter, MS, RScP, “Marginalization in Finance: Health Equity in Eating Disorders & Mental Health” 
  • 3p MDT: Rishi Lamichhane, MPH Student (Nominated for Boulder’s MPH Student of the Year), “Connecting the Dots in Eating Disorder Research”
  • 4p MDT: Nancy Kaley, LAC, “Twelve-Step Facilitation in Food Addiction & Eating Disorders
  • 5p MDT: Heather Zwickey, PhD (“The Grandmother of Naturopathic Research”), “Exploring Life 

Summit keynotes on Saturday, Sept 13 include Brenna Bray, PhD; David A. Wiss, PhD, MPH, RDN; and Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD.

• Purpose in Whole Health
  Research”

Summit Schedule – Sunday, Sept 14: Changing the Conversation on Mental Health

Sessions held on Sunday, September 14 include:

• 9a MDT: Boulder’s own Brenna Bray, PhD, “Stress on the Brain: The Neurobiology of Stress & Mental Health”
• 10a MDT: Boulder’s own Cory Richards, “Embracing Brilliant Sanity in Mental Health“
• 11a MDT: Erica Zelfand, ND (AKA “Dr. Z”), “How Food Impacts Inflammation & Mood
• 1p MDT: Boulder’s own Niko Skievaski, “Supporting Psychedelic Assisted Therapy in Clinical Health”
• 2p MDT: Payton Follestad, ND, MSRC Student (Nominated for Boulder’s ND Student of the Year), “Ayahuasca Effects on Physical & Mental Health
• 3p MDT: Boulder’s own Calvin Lodge, MA Student, “Silent Freeform Dance: A Novel Intervention for Interpersonal Adversity:
• 5p MDT: Ian Rubin, MA, CPT, CHC, “Empowerment through Food Story Coaching”
• 6p MDT: Boulder’s own Mỹ Hiếu Lê, MA, “Innovating Mindfulness with Buddhism’s Threefold Noble Training: Sila, Samadhi, Prajna”
• 7p MDT: Heather Campbell, MBA, “Good is Amazing! From Overthinking to Enough!”

“The NourishED Research Foundation is a 501c3 organization that uses research to change the conversation around disorders and mental health. NourishED believes that knowledge is nouirshing and so we provide resources on research and research literacy that can help empower you to hold your own health in your hands. We hope you’ll join us!” Dr. Bray says.

Brenna Bray

Dr. Brenna Bray, a local health and wellness coach, stress researcher, associate professor, and avid ultra-marathon mountain runner, holds PhDs in Biomedical Science, Neuroscience, and Complementary and Integrative Health. Her journey through an eating disorder fuels her dedication to coaching, merging personal experiences with scientific expertise. Through her practice, Bray empowers clients to access and harness their innate healing abilities and achieve remarkable health and wellness transformations. Committed to community engagement and holistic well-being, Dr. Bray shapes a brighter, healthier future for all. Learn more about Dr. Bray at www.brennabray.com.