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Real food summit online paleo primal event underground wellness

Announcing The Real Food Summit

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After the fantastic Paleo Summit a few months ago, Sean Croxton is about to launch another health conference – the Real Food Summit. This is aimed at anyone interested in real, whole food and is free to attend.

There are so many great speakers I’m really looking forward to learning from, including:

• Chris Kresser talking about the importance of fish and seafood
• Paul Check on how eating whole foods impacts your mind, body, and soul
• Jeffrey Smith on genetically modified foods
• Mark McAfee talking about how raw milk can heal a broken immune system
• Chris Masterjohn on the nutritional wisdom of Weston A. Price

There are a total of 27 video presentations that will be free to watch during the nine-day summit, by different speakers on many different topics. The Real Food Summit starts in a few days time, on Sunday 8th July (AKA Monday 9th July for those of us in Australia).

Pre-register here if you’re interested in attending the free event – and as an extra bonus everyone who pre-registers will receive a presentation by real food farmer and activist Joel Salatin called “Real Food Defined”

I think this will be a great summit to attend for those already into Paleo, but also to share with those friends and family interested in Paleo, but not quite ready to change their diets…

Have you signed-up to the Real Food Summit yet?

Real food summit online paleo primal event underground wellness

Why Online Summits Like This Matter

With so much conflicting information about health, nutrition, and wellness online, events like the Real Food Summit offer a much-needed opportunity to hear from credible experts in one place. The lineup includes experienced practitioners, researchers, and thought leaders who bring both scientific understanding and real-world insights. Whether you’re just starting your journey into clean eating or you're a seasoned Paleo veteran, there's always more to learn and apply to your own lifestyle.

What makes this kind of summit particularly valuable is the diversity of perspectives. You’ll find talks focused on ancestral diets, gut health, metabolic healing, sustainable farming, and food politics — all presented in an accessible way that’s grounded in practical advice. With speakers from different backgrounds, you'll get a more well-rounded understanding of how real food affects not just your physical health, but your mental wellbeing and the planet too.

How to Make the Most of the Real Food Summit

If you're planning to attend, there are a few ways you can get the most value out of the summit:

  • Schedule time to watch – With 27 presentations available over nine days, it helps to look at the schedule in advance and block out time to tune in. Even setting aside 30–60 minutes per day will help you absorb more.
  • Take notes – Jot down your key takeaways, favourite quotes, and ideas you'd like to research more. This can be especially useful if you want to implement new strategies into your Paleo lifestyle.
  • Share with others – If a particular talk resonates with you, consider sharing it with friends or family. It could be a great conversation starter and a gentle way to introduce others to real food principles.
  • Engage with the speakers – Many of the presenters are active online and welcome discussion. If something stood out to you or raised a question, reach out to them via their social media or websites for further engagement.

Spotlight on Key Topics to Watch

With such a wide-ranging lineup, it’s helpful to keep an eye on the sessions most relevant to your goals. For example:

  • Chris Kresser’s presentation on seafood is ideal if you’re trying to include more nutrient-dense marine foods in your diet. He’s known for explaining complex science in a way that’s easy to understand.
  • Jeffrey Smith’s talk on GMOs is especially timely in Australia, as consumer awareness around food labelling and genetically modified ingredients continues to grow.
  • Paul Chek’s discussion about the emotional and spiritual effects of eating whole food may resonate if you’re exploring the mind-body connection or holistic health approaches.

Other speakers cover everything from the gut microbiome to hormone health, making this a uniquely comprehensive experience. Whether you're curious about intermittent fasting, fermented foods, or natural immunity, you'll find sessions that spark your interest and deepen your understanding.

Real Food vs. Processed Convenience

The summit also offers a valuable counterpoint to the modern food environment. Despite growing awareness, ultra-processed convenience food continues to dominate supermarket shelves and marketing campaigns. Events like this challenge the narrative that quick, cheap food must come at the expense of health.

Instead, you’ll hear about the value of returning to traditional food preparation methods — from slow-cooked broths and fermented vegetables to sourcing ingredients locally and seasonally. These ideas align closely with the Paleo framework, where food is chosen for its nutritional quality, not its packaging or shelf life.

Who Will Benefit from Attending?

While the Real Food Summit is a fantastic resource for those already living a Paleo or ancestral lifestyle, it’s also a gentle introduction for friends or family members who are curious but hesitant. Unlike some stricter diet approaches, the summit embraces a wide interpretation of “real food” that welcomes a variety of preferences and starting points.

For example, someone interested in organic produce or reducing sugar might enjoy talks by Sarah Ballantyne or Mark McAfee, while someone keen on learning how diet influences mood and sleep could be drawn to more holistic sessions. It’s a good idea to share the registration link with others and perhaps even watch a few sessions together to prompt discussion and reflection.

Supporting the Real Food Movement

By attending events like this and sharing what you learn, you're contributing to a much broader shift in how we think about health and food. The more people who demand transparency, nutrition, and sustainability in what they eat, the more likely we are to see meaningful change in food systems, policy, and education.

Many of the summit's speakers are also directly involved in activism, regenerative agriculture, and public health initiatives — so your attention and support help amplify their message. You might even come away inspired to start a garden, join a local co-op, or advocate for better food choices in your own community.

Looking Beyond the Summit

Once the event wraps up, it’s worth taking some time to revisit your notes and see what you want to integrate into your life. That could mean experimenting with new recipes, sourcing different types of food, or simply being more mindful of how you eat. Some presentations will likely offer replays or transcripts, especially if you register early, so make sure you access everything you can while it’s available.

If the summit energises you, keep an eye out for follow-up events or related conferences. Many of the presenters run their own workshops, podcasts, or online communities — a great way to stay connected and keep your momentum going.

Have You Registered Yet?

With so many valuable insights packed into a single event, the Real Food Summit is a rare opportunity to learn from the best — for free. It doesn’t matter where you are on your health journey, this summit is bound to offer something new and actionable.

Click here to pre-register now and gain immediate access to Joel Salatin’s bonus talk, “Real Food Defined.” Make sure to check your inbox for summit updates and schedule announcements. Let’s celebrate real food together — from paddock to plate, farm to fork.

Ido Portal Movement Culture event conference classes australia sydney

Ido Portal – Paleo Fitness

With MovNat coming to Australia in March – and founder Erwan Le Corre teaching at PrimalCon in April – it really is the year of natural movement. Get ready for Ido Portal!

I’ve recently found out about Ido Portal.  His YouTube videos show the most incredible movement, strength and balance.  You can’t watch these videos and not be completely in awe – he makes the movements look so effortless.  My handstand push-up ambition just doesn’t quite cut the mustard anymore!

As all the Paleo & related experts do eventually, Ido Portal is coming to Australia!  He’s taking a two day workshop on the 25th & 26th February, at Elements of Movement, CrossFit Sydney.

Better get practicing…

Ido Portal Movement Culture event, conference, classes in Sydney, Australia

Who Is Ido Portal?

Ido Portal is a name that comes up time and time again when talking about movement, mobility, and bodyweight strength. A former Capoeira practitioner from Israel, Ido has developed a completely unique movement philosophy that brings together strength training, gymnastics, martial arts, dance, and play. His methods are unconventional, yet captivating. Watching him move is like watching a wild animal – fluid, controlled, powerful. It’s no wonder so many in the Paleo and natural movement worlds are drawn to his teachings.

Unlike traditional gym-based workouts focused solely on isolated muscle groups, Ido Portal encourages movement for the sake of movement. He talks about being a “mover”, rather than a lifter, runner, or yogi. His core message is simple but profound: humans were born to move – in many different ways, through all planes of motion, across a variety of environments.

The Link Between Paleo and Movement

Many people associate Paleo with food – and rightly so. But what we eat is just one part of a much bigger ancestral picture. The Paleo lifestyle also includes sleep, sunlight, connection, and of course – natural movement. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors didn’t train in gyms or sit at desks all day. They squatted, climbed, crawled, jumped, hung, and moved across rugged terrain. Their movement was purposeful, varied, and frequent.

This is why movements like MovNat, Parkour, and now Ido Portal’s Movement Culture resonate so deeply with the Paleo community. They represent a return to the way our bodies were designed to move. Whether you’re navigating a rocky trail barefoot or attempting a one-arm hang, you’re reconnecting with primal movement patterns that modern life has all but erased.

Why Ido Portal's Approach Is Different

Ido Portal’s workshops are nothing like a CrossFit WOD or a typical yoga class. He breaks down movement into its most fundamental elements. You'll practice spinal waves, wrist mobility drills, animal walks, hand balancing, acrobatics, and partner games that challenge your awareness and control.

What makes Ido Portal’s philosophy so compelling – especially for those of us in the Paleo community – is that it embraces both strength and softness. It’s not about hitting PBs in the gym or achieving a ‘perfect’ handstand. It’s about exploring your body’s capacity for movement, developing resilience, and rediscovering physicality in a holistic way.

Ido Portal and the Paleo Fitness Movement in Australia

Australia has long been at the forefront of the Paleo movement, with a vibrant community of primal eaters, barefoot runners, and natural movement advocates. With Ido Portal's workshops now making their way to Australia, it’s clear we’re part of a global shift in how we understand fitness and wellbeing.

In fact, the timing couldn’t be better. With MovNat expanding their Australian offerings and events like PrimalCon showcasing more natural movement each year, Ido Portal’s arrival adds serious weight to the growing Paleo fitness scene down under. Whether you live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or somewhere in between, there’s never been a better time to explore this way of moving.

Training for Movement – Not Just Muscles

One of the biggest takeaways from Ido Portal’s teachings is that movement is a skill. Like learning a language or playing a musical instrument, it takes consistent practice, curiosity, and humility. You’ll be challenged mentally and physically – and that’s the point.

Rather than repetitive sets and reps, Ido's students learn patterns. They explore locomotion flows, hand balancing drills, and coordination exercises. These develop not just strength, but control, agility, rhythm, and spatial awareness. It's like play – but with purpose.

For those already eating Paleo and interested in improving health beyond diet, this approach adds depth to your lifestyle. Your body starts to feel more capable, more aligned, and more adaptable to the demands of everyday life – whether that’s chasing after your kids, hiking in the bush, or simply getting up off the floor with ease.

How to Get Started With Ido Portal Inspired Movement

If attending a full workshop feels intimidating (or is out of your reach geographically), there are plenty of ways to incorporate Ido-inspired movement into your daily life.

  • Start with basic mobility drills: wrist rolls, spinal waves, hip circles – movements you probably haven’t done since childhood.
  • Practice hanging: from a bar, a tree branch, or even doorways. Build grip strength and decompress your shoulders.
  • Try animal movements: bear crawls, lizard walks, frog jumps – these build coordination, strength, and endurance.
  • Make use of floor time: sit on the ground more, experiment with rolling, squatting, and low gait movements.
  • Watch Ido’s YouTube channel for inspiration – but don’t compare. Use it to spark your curiosity, not self-judgement.

And remember, movement is not something to tick off your to-do list – it’s something to explore, enjoy, and refine every day. Start with 5–10 minutes and grow from there.

The Power of Play

Something else that sets Ido Portal apart is his emphasis on play. Many adults have forgotten how to play. But play is how we learn, how we connect, and how we heal. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing handstands in the park or crawling on the floor with your kids – playful movement helps rewire your brain, improve joint health, and reduce stress.

That playful spirit fits beautifully with the Paleo ethos. This lifestyle is about thriving, not just surviving. Movement should feel like joy, not a chore. It should reconnect you with your body and your environment, not isolate you to a treadmill or gym mat.

Ido Portal in Sydney – What to Expect From a Workshop

If you’re lucky enough to attend one of Ido Portal’s workshops in Australia, here’s what you might expect:

  • Two full days of movement training that will push you outside your comfort zone.
  • No fluff: Ido is known for being direct, no-nonsense, and laser-focused on teaching.
  • Community: a chance to connect with others who are curious about movement, Paleo, and personal growth.
  • Surprises: expect to be challenged physically and mentally – but in the best way.

Bring an open mind, lots of water, and a sense of humour. You'll be sore, inspired, and possibly a bit overwhelmed – but you'll also leave with a renewed appreciation for what your body can do.

Where to Learn More

If you're just getting started and want to dive deeper into Ido Portal’s world and how it intersects with Paleo fitness, check out the following:

  • Ido Portal on YouTube – for movement videos, lectures, and examples of his students’ transformations.
  • Ido Portal on Facebook – for event announcements and philosophy posts.
  • MovNat Australia – if you're interested in complementary natural movement training.
  • The Paleo Network – for events, resources, and more Paleo-friendly movement ideas in Australia and New Zealand.

Is Ido Portal Paleo?

While Ido doesn’t explicitly label himself Paleo, his philosophy overlaps with many of the movement principles our ancestors lived by. He advocates for nutrient-dense food, rest, sunlight, barefoot movement, and spending time in nature. He also recognises the dangers of modern sedentary life and offers a powerful antidote through his movement culture.

In that sense, he fits right in with the broader Paleo lifestyle. He may not push bone broth recipes or intermittent fasting, but he embodies the idea of human optimisation through reconnection – with our bodies, our environment, and each other.

Final Word: Get Moving

Whether you’re deep into your Paleo journey or just starting out, Ido Portal’s approach can offer new energy and insight. If you’ve ever felt limited by the typical gym routine, or if you’ve lost touch with how your body likes to move, his work could be a game-changer.

So next time you're barefoot in your backyard, try a squat, a hang, a crawl. See how it feels. Make it part of your day. And if you’re feeling brave – maybe even sign up for that workshop.

Because Paleo isn’t just about what’s on your plate – it’s also about what you do with your body. And the world is your gym.