The Paleo Summit
I've been really enjoying the Paleo Summit this week! There's still a couple of days left of this free online event, and some great speakers to come – I'm especially looking forward to hearing Dallas & Melissa from Whole9 talking about Paleo for Vegetarians – and Dr. Catherine Shanahan comparing the Paleo diet to prescription drugs!
My favourite presentations so far have been Denise Minger, Nora Gedgaudas and Mark Sisson – but unfortunately I've been really busy this week and haven't had a chance to catch them all in time. I'm especially annoyed I missed Dr. Jack Kruse as I've been really interested in reading his ideas on Leptin, so had high expectations for his talk.
Anyway, if you haven't already, there's still time to register and catch the last few days. It's free to register and the videos stay online for 24 hours.
If like me you've had a busy week and have missed some or all of the summit, you can upgrade and download audio files, transcripts and videos which you can enjoy at your leisure. I plan to listen to the 23 audio files on my way to work, that should provide several weeks of great listening!
Why Events Like the Paleo Summit Are So Valuable
In a world full of conflicting nutritional advice, online events like the Paleo Summit offer a refreshing opportunity to hear directly from a wide range of respected voices in the real food movement. These summits not only educate and inspire, but they also help foster a sense of community — something that can be especially powerful when you’re following a lifestyle that diverges from the mainstream.
What makes the Paleo Summit stand out is the diversity of its speakers. From scientists and doctors to authors and long-time practitioners, the event provides access to a huge depth of knowledge. Whether you're completely new to Paleo or you’ve been living this way for years, there's always something new to learn — especially when experts dive into emerging research or challenge assumptions with evidence and experience.
Key Themes Emerging from the Summit
This year’s Paleo Summit has touched on a wide variety of fascinating and practical themes. A few key topics that have stood out so far include:
- The link between nutrition and chronic illness: Several speakers have explored how shifting to a nutrient-dense, low-inflammatory diet can support recovery from autoimmune conditions, metabolic syndrome, and even mood disorders.
- Hormone health and leptin regulation: While I missed Dr. Jack Kruse’s talk, his focus on leptin is one of the more advanced areas of discussion in the Paleo space. Leptin plays a key role in appetite regulation, metabolism, and fat storage — understanding it can help unlock more effective, personalised strategies for fat loss and energy balance.
- Adapting Paleo to modern lifestyles: From the role of functional movement and stress management to navigating the workplace and family settings, many talks have included practical strategies for integrating Paleo principles into real life.
- Vegetarian and plant-focused adaptations: I'm particularly interested to hear Dallas and Melissa Hartwig’s take on Paleo for vegetarians. Their Whole30 program has already helped thousands of people reset their eating habits, and I’m curious how they approach Paleo for those who eat little or no animal products.
Learning on Your Own Time
One of the best things about the Paleo Summit format is the flexibility. Life doesn’t stop for nutrition events, so being able to download and revisit talks later is incredibly helpful. Whether you're commuting, walking the dog, or making dinner, having the audio files to listen to makes absorbing this valuable content much more manageable.
I’ve found that listening to these talks away from the screen actually helps the ideas sink in more deeply — especially when I can rewind or pause to take notes. With over 20 presentations included in the upgrade pack, it’s a brilliant resource for continuing education that you can refer back to again and again.
Standout Presenters You Shouldn’t Miss
While everyone will have their personal favourites depending on their interests, here are a few presenters whose sessions stood out for their clarity, depth, and insight:
- Denise Minger: Known for her deep dives into nutritional data and her myth-busting approach to conventional wisdom, Denise always delivers thoughtful, evidence-based arguments — often laced with humour and candour.
- Nora Gedgaudas: With her background in neurofeedback and nutritional therapy, Nora bridges the gap between food and mental wellbeing. Her insights into how ancestral diets affect the brain are eye-opening.
- Mark Sisson: A long-time leader in the Paleo and Primal world, Mark’s ability to communicate complex concepts in an accessible way is what makes his work so popular. His practical advice around movement, rest, and ageing well is especially valuable.
If you're time-poor and want to start with just a handful of talks, these are a solid place to begin. But don’t overlook the lesser-known speakers — often these are the sessions that introduce new perspectives and challenge your current thinking.
Why Summits Like These Spark Long-Term Change
Sometimes it only takes hearing the right phrase or concept explained in the right way for something to click. That’s what makes live or time-limited events so impactful — the momentum and sense of collective learning push you to take action. Whether that’s recommitting to meal prep, experimenting with fasting, or finally understanding why sleep and stress are affecting your energy levels, these summits provide both the why and the how.
They’re also a fantastic resource to share with friends or family members who are curious about your approach to health but don’t know where to begin. The professional, science-backed talks provide a level of authority and reassurance that goes beyond casual conversation or blog posts.
Looking Ahead: Applying What You Learn
Once the summit wraps up, the real challenge (and opportunity) lies in applying the knowledge. I like to jot down 3–5 action points from each speaker — small, specific ideas to experiment with. It could be something as simple as shifting your breakfast to include more protein and fat, or adding a daily walk to your routine. Over time, these incremental changes add up to serious progress.
If you’ve purchased the upgrade, consider creating a weekly listening plan. One talk per week is enough to keep you inspired without feeling overwhelmed. And if you find a particular speaker resonates with you, look them up — many offer books, podcasts, and courses that can deepen your understanding even further.
Still Time to Join In
There's still time to catch the final days of the summit if you haven’t registered. Head over to this link and sign up for free access to the remaining presentations. And if you want to make the most of it long after the event has ended, the download pack is well worth it — especially if you’re hungry for ongoing inspiration and education on all things Paleo.
Have you had a favourite talk or speaker that’s shifted your thinking? I’d love to hear your highlights from the Paleo Summit and how you plan to put them into action!
Have you been listening? Which have been your favourite presentations of the Paleo Summit so far?