The sun has set on another enriching and inspiring Thrive Summit. The final day was a whirlwind of learning, sharing, and immense growth, all under one goal of lighting the path to better health. Let’s take a moment to journey down the rabbit hole once more and recap the adventures and insights from our last day together.
Morning energizers: We’re not “mad” about it
Following the vibrant theme of starting our days with rejuvenation, Thursday morning was no exception. The day commenced with sponsored activities that included a refreshing walk/run with LifeSpeak and an invigorating yoga session with Headspace. Participants also had the opportunity to connect with Personify Health coaches during onsite coaching sessions, setting the stage for a day of engagement and discovery.
Breakouts as brilliant as Wonderland itself
The breakout sessions continued to be vibrant and varied. Each session was a treasure trove of insights driven by experts and clients:
- Humana and St. Jude’s Research Hospital shared stories of transformation and strategic success in their first year as Personify Health clients, illustrating the broad-ranging benefits of their outcomes-driving programs.
- A panel featuring Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dell, and Fujifilm Holdings showcased their success strategies for driving positive health outcomes and establishing a culture of wellbeing in the workplace.
- GM Financial shared valuable takeaways from its first year with Personify Health, including implementation insights, upcoming initiatives, and transformative results experienced from placing their workforce at the forefront of population health.
- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants explored the intricate balance of providing affordable care amid climbing costs, sharing innovative strategies they’ve employed with clients.
- Joined by OC Tanner, Dow shared insights into its wellness program evolution, and how its enhanced strategy led to increased employee engagement and wellbeing.
- Edward Jones and Headspace discussed the importance of a mental health solution that meets employees where they are and offers meaningful, stigma-free, and accessible care.
- Experts from CaringBridge and Personify discussed strategies for empowering and supporting employees through their cancer journeys, including care management, predictive data, and educational content.
- Further sessions homed in on leveraging data for proactive program management, navigating worst-case scenarios in health plans, leveraging partnerships, and much more, embodying the summit’s theme of lighting the path forward.
One last visit to the main stage for some enlightenment
The final main stage presentations were beacons of inspiration and thought leadership. The lineup began with an intriguing reptile meet and greet – some lucky folks got to say a hands-on hello to Banana and Rex! Then we all enjoyed a bit of meditation with Spring Health to relax and re-center.
Ultra-endurance athlete Angus Collins shared his journey as a record-setting ocean rower who discovered the critical need for men’s mental health support as a result of his own depression. Angus’s story of enlightenment touched the audience. He advised, “No matter what path you take, only one thing matters: who you surround yourself with…. It’s easy to build the best team. It’s way, way harder to build the right team.” Angus explained, “You cannot work on your wellbeing and mental health without the people around you who will support you through tough times. The best team will celebrate the wins, but the right team will stand by you when it’s more difficult.” Great lessons for work and life.
Angus then joined University of Central Florida Professor Michael J. Rovito, Ph.D., and Personify Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeff Jacques for our men’s health discussion. The conversation touched on topics including mental health stigma, uncomfortable but necessary health screenings, and rising cancer rates among men. The group had a candid and powerful exploration on the need for empathy, open communication, and emotional intelligence. The panel agreed that while boys should and are being taught these things now, men today can learn to embrace these traits through conversation and practice. The panel observed that most men today would say they didn’t have these kinds of conversations with their fathers when they were young. “If we teach boys and give them the words they need at a younger age, it will be much easier for them later on.”
Our final guest presenter was the impressive Dr. Kenji Saito, global medical director for Thrive award winner Owens Corning. Dr. Saito captivated the audience with stories of the magical intersection between workplace wellbeing and organizational success. (We also learned that his mother created the Philadelphia sushi roll!) With an equal focus on the mind and the body, he shared examples of initiatives at Owens Corning that effectively engage and support their employees, from available free fruit to gaming areas. Dr. Saito also walked us through visits to global communities and shared learnings and inspirations from their cultures. He noted, “Wellbeing should be integrated into our lives, not just at work. The mind and the body should be as one.”
It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then
As Chris Michalak took the stage once again to close the epic journey of Thrive Summit 2025, he shared a metaphor about how people tend to look perfect from far away. But as you get closer you’ll see their imperfections and struggles. He encouraged all Thrive attendees to take the spirit of acceptance, support, advocacy, and love we got over these past three days and bring it back to our family and colleagues. Chris said, “I hope your cup is overflowing and you’re in a better position to help others. Pour it into people. When you do, they’ll get better.” What a powerful way to think about how to transform our learnings into action.
A Thrive 2025 recap video helped us revisit these past three days of learnings, joy, and community. It is a reminder of the incredible journey we’ve shared, the relationships forged, and the knowledge gained.
Farewell… for now
With hearts full of memories and minds brimming with insights, we look toward the horizon, excited to announce Thrive Summit 2026 in Phoenix! It’s not just a farewell to this year’s summit but a beckoning to the next chapter of our journey together.
Thank you to every attendee, speaker, sponsor, and organizer who made Thrive Summit 2025 a beacon of light and learning. Here’s to carrying the torch forward and seeing where the path leads us next. See you in Phoenix!
