We loved seeing all of you at the 2024 Edge of Amazing. We had over 300 attendees, 52 resource tables, and so many amazing speakers and facilitators. We’re also grateful to our sponsors who made this event possible.
Below are some highlights from the event. Learn more about individual presentations at edgeofamazing.org.
Laura Chun, MPM, PMP, C-MT kicked off the event by exploring the question – What keeps you running in place? At some point in our lives, we all reach a tipping point when we realize we are missing opportunities to live more authentically, a life that is truly our own. She led us through a short meditation that invited us to get curious about fully living and what that might feel in the mind, the heart and body.
Jessica Burt, MPH revealed the results of the 9th Annual Health & Well-being Monitor™ for Snohomish County. Organized around six dimensions of health & well-being, she shared insights about what’s impacting our individual and community well-being.
Next, participants heard from Dr. Julie Pham, who shared how she discovered curiosity as a practice through community organizing – working with and not against – a variety of perspectives, finding connectivity through stories that build connection, and foster collaboration. She guided us to practice inward and outward curiosity, helping us to improve our communication and relationships with others.
Michael Larson shared stories of older adults either on the edge or who are currently experiencing homelessness, and why this issue holds a personal passion for him. He presented data about why this population is growing at a faster rate than any other demographic and some of the targeted interventions we can make to ensure we begin to reverse these trends.
Our last morning presenter was Dennis Worsham, director of the Snohomish County Health Department. Dennis shared some local areas of focus and related actions that are necessary to move public health efforts forward in Snohomish County.
Our friends from the YMCA of Snohomish County led the group through a series of movements and stretches to help counteract the effects of sitting all day.
Throughout the event, participants visited the LiveWellLocal.org Resource Share area, where over 50 community organizations were respresented.
Participants were also invited to visit the Spiritual and Emotional Well-being Room, where they could find a comfortable space with relaxing sound, lighting, and other natural elements. Activities included options for meditation, art, sensory experiences, self-care resource share board, and spiritual/soul-care mapping.
In the afternoon, participants joined Discussion Lightning Rounds to exploring community health and well-being efforts across ropics & sectors. Each lightning round was 25 minutes and participants were welcome to move through three different topic rounds of guided conversations by local community subject matter experts. Subjects included Building Healthy Communities through Financial Empowerment, Meeting the Emotional and Mental Health Needs of Our Community, Local Innovation & Equity in Access to Healthcare & Basic Needs, Health Literacy, Access to Health Information, & Trusted Resources, Opioid Crisis – Myth Versus Reality, and Housing – Foundational Impacts on Health & Well-being. Learn more at edgeofamazing.org.
Our afternoon presenter, Nadia Mahmud, RDN, CD, MPH, shared about Secrets of the Microbiome. Nadia shared some basics about our microbiome and its impact on our health and well-being, latest research on the microbiome, and also tips for optimizing our gut health in this everchanging landscape. She also demonstrated how various cultures have supported gut health through fermented foods and wrapped up with a cooking demo on how you can ferment foods at home to benefit your gut and your brain.
Learn more about Edge of Amazing here.
