What an incredible week! First and foremost, we want to thank High Watch for having us and congratulate them on the amazing work they did. GXC2022 was jam-packed with events, experiences, and speakers. Kipu was able to connect with all types of professionals, enrich our minds with thought-provoking topics, and build a tighter bond within our team.
2022 Highlights
The week started on Tuesday, November 1st, with a food festival and fireworks. The cabana deck and white sand beach of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort were filled with all sorts of delicious food and behavioral health professionals. It was a great environment to network and connect. The night ended with fireworks, and with 3D glasses that were provided, we were able to see the GXC logo in the fireworks.
Wednesday, November 2nd, began with a morning of meditation, tai chi/chi gong, yoga, or TechnoGym workout. After your morning relaxation or workout, professionals in recovery were about to gather for a 12-Step Meeting. What an amazing way to start your day! The opening session was presented by Dr. Gabor Maté. The topic was trauma, illness, and healing in a toxic culture. This presentation was based on his new book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, which highlighted our western world that puts material above essential human needs and spiritual principles put its people under stress, stunts children’s growth, and condemns many to chronic illnesses.
After that enlightening presentation, the exhibition hall opened! We were able to connect with you one-on-one while you all enjoyed some continental breakfast, massages, and smoothies thanks to PR Juice Bar. Many of you stopped by our booth to share your wellness tips, entering our self-care raffle. We also got to enjoy a leadership luncheon for those who registered, sponsored by Kipu. Carl Bernstein spoke intimately about his journey as a journalist in America and his recovery from alcoholism. The following general sessions included Russell Brand discussing his “Stay Free” lifestyle and Deepak Chopra discussing the future of wellbeing. Two amazing sessions enforcing the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual health.
Thursday, November 3rd, began with another morning of meditation, tai chi/chi gong, yoga, TechnoGym workout, and a 12-step meeting. The opening general session for this day was on the topic of spirituality and mental health presented by Marianne Williamson. This session spoke to how spirituality impacts traditional psychotherapy, anxiety and depression, and how marrying spirituality and psychotherapy can help us have a deeper understanding of the self.
Another enriching morning leading to the opening of the exhibition hall. We spent the night exploring Animal Kingdom thanks to J Flowers Health Institute. This was a beautiful way to help people connect, bond, and bring some joy to the lives of these incredible behavioral health professionals. This speaks to our message of #WhenYouAreStrongTheyAreStrong. For providers and clinicians, self-care is essential. When you are strong as a provider, you can take better care of your patients, positively impacting their recovery journey.
The Conference ended with another day of morning rituals, exhibition hall networking, and a Not So Late Show presented by Whoopi Goldberg, Rob Lowe, and musical entertainment. Whoopi Goldberg and Rob Lowe discussed their impactful work and maintaining mental health! What a great week! We loved connecting with familiar faces and new ones. If you haven’t yet, check out our Self-care Stories Series on our blog! For more resources, check out our blog. Keep up-to-date with the latest behavioral health news and industry practices by subscribing to our blog here!
