Deepak Chopra, MD, to Keynote 2015 Global Wellness Summit

He’s been hailed as “the pioneer of alternative medicine” by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and named “one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century” by TIME magazine—and Deepak Chopra will be a keynote speaker at the 2015 Global Wellness Summit in Mexico City. His accomplishments are too extraordinary to list: He’s authored over 80 books, founded the Chopra Foundation and received countless honors for his work and humanitarian efforts.

Which Governments are Beginning to Legislate against Unhealthy Behavior?

In a thought-piece on why, today, it’s governments, not markets, that really call the shots, Malleret speculates on how it’s pretty inevitable that the unbearable cost of healthcare means that many governments will soon be unable to foot the bill. So, while it’s not “politically correct,” more governments will start to legislate against (and penalize for) unhealthy behaviors. Just look at how a new bill introduced in Puerto Rico would penalize parents for not tackling childhood obesity.

Bruce Jenner. Then and Now.

In 1993 I served on “Pete Wilson’s California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports”. Bruce Jenner was one of the other 14 board members and we worked together for quite a few years. I remember Bruce as a down to earth, likeable guy with a good sense of humor and a very collaborative attitude.

Countries with an Image Crisis? Wellness Tourism is Strong Antidote.

The Global Wellness Institute recently released data showing the powerful role wellness tourism can play in helping countries recover from tourism crises and “image problems” (i.e., wars, terrorist and drug violence, natural disasters).

It looked at 10 nations with either more recent tourism shocks (like India, Mexico), or those building tourism markets after historic conflicts (such as Nicaragua, Cambodia). And just look at what a serious recovery-driver wellness tourism can be…these nations using it as a re-branding tool will drive so many more.

“Running Into Old Age” – The Atlantic, Ian McMahan, April 22, 2015

In recent years, a growing number of senior citizens have begun competing in marathons and triathlons, causing experts to question much of the conventional wisdom about age-related changes in physical capacity. One of the most interesting insights: a lot of the deterioration we see with aging can be attributed to a more sedentary lifestyle rather than aging itself. Check out this interesting article that turns the relationship between aging and wellbeing upside-down.

Mindfulness Initiative Led by Renowned Cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg

The Global Wellness Institute has just launched a new Global Wellness Mindfulness Initiative, bringing together a group of thought-leaders dedicated to understanding the role of mindfulness, meditation and nature in leadership. The new initiative is headed up by Louie Schwartzberg, who brings stunning nature cinematography to high-profile, global audiences—from the UN to 3D IMAX theaters.

Read about this initiative’s objectives and new members—and how new connections between technology and mindfulness could change the world’s mental health.