Justin Wren and Dr. Robby Sikka will lead the roster of more than 100 speakers at RISE National, which will take place March 11-14 in San Antonio.
Justin Wren on purpose, performance, and impact
Justin Wren, elite UFC/MMA fighter turned global humanitarian and founder of Fight for the Forgotten, will deliver the opening keynote on Wednesday, March 12. The presentation, sponsored by Inovalon, will explore the power of service, the profound difference we all can make in the lives of others, and the ripple effect that extends far beyond what we can imagine–including the transformation that occurs within ourselves when we choose to live purposefully and serve selflessly.
Wren will also unravel the secrets of the overcomer’s mindset, the unyielding spirit that separates the victors from the defeated. Attendees will learn how to transform pain into fuel, setbacks into comebacks, and doubts into unwavering belief—in order to overcome obstacles and win this fight called life.
About Wren
Mercilessly bullied as a child, Wren responded by transforming himself into a champion MMA fighter. Yet despite his success, he quietly questioned the significance of his own athletic accomplishments. Each time he raised his hand in victory he thought, “Is this it? Is this as good as it gets?” As he fought his way to the top and battled never-ending injuries that accompany the profession, he slid into pain-killer addiction, battled depression, and attempted suicide. He was a champion on the outside but broken within.
It wasn’t until a chance collection of circumstances led Wren to one of the most remote places on earth, to live in the rainforest among the Pygmy people, some of the most impoverished and marginalized people on the planet, that he found his true purpose–helping others.
From that experience, ‘The Big Pygmy’ returned to the ring with purpose, founding the non-profit Fight for the Forgotten (FFTF) along the way. Since 2013, FFTF has provided more than 52,000 Indigenous people with access to clean drinking water, replanted thousands of trees, acquired more than 3,000 acres of land in the name of the tribe and helped 1,800 people out of slavery and into freedom. Current projects include housing, education, health care and sustainable livelihoods through community empowerment.
Today, Wren shares his remarkable story on stages across the country and around the world teaching others the tools, tactics, and techniques to navigate any adversity, find purpose, and achieve meaningful impact in business and in life.
Dr. Robby Sikka on how AI will revolutionize elder care
Dr. Robby Sikka, NBA physician and health innovator, will take the mainstage on Friday morning, March 14, the final day of the conference.
Dr. Sikka, who previously served as the associate director of data analytics at the Mayo Clinic and was a senior consultant to Tonal, Oura Ring, Pacaso, and other tech unicorns, will address how to use artificial intelligence (AI) and compassion to address the aging population’s unique challenges.
As the global population ages, health care systems face unprecedented challenges in providing quality care to older adults. In particular, the rapid growth of AI, the need for data-driven and cost-controlled care, and the need for personalized medicine all make elder care particularly unique.
Dr. Sikka’s presentation will explore how AI is transforming elder care, enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and personalized care through predictive analytics, remote monitoring, and smart technology integration, and how it can meet patients halfway. By addressing issues such as chronic disease management, mobility, and cognitive decline, AI can empower health care professionals to offer more efficient, accessible, and patient-centered care to the aging population. His talk will highlight the latest innovations, real-world applications, and future trends in AI-driven solutions for senior health.
About Dr. Sikka
Dr. Sikka is an innovator in technology, health care, sports, and analytics. He is a board-certified anesthesiologist who has been in private practice for nearly a decade and has worked in sports medicine research for over 20 years.
He has developed the world’s largest sports injury database for prediction of injuries and risk assessment, return to play and performance guidance, and optimization of rehabilitation strategies. Dr. Sikka is the founder of SMART (Sports Medicine Analytics Research Team), and previously served as the vice president of basketball operations and player wellness, and the vice president of basketball performance and technology for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also served as a consultant to the Minnesota Vikings for five seasons and the Washington Wizards for three seasons.
Dr. Sikka has served on the NBA Sports Science Committee and presently serves as a team physician to the New York Yankees, Denver Broncos, several NBA teams, and oversees a large public health task force comprised of all pro sports leagues, Apple, Amazon, United Health Group, the White House, WHO, and numerous other organizations. He was a leader in the national response to COVID where he was one of the leaders in developing innovative diagnostics for COVID and infectious diseases. His work with teams has ranged from strategic decision-making, roster acquisitions and trade decisions, hiring of coaches and executives, assistance with rehabilitation and return to play strategies, injury prevention methods, and player development. He has helped teams optimize analytics strategies, worked to integrate technology, including virtual reality and player tracking, and has worked as a consultant to the NFL league office on performance analytics.
Outside of sports, Dr. Sikka served as senior principal consultant at Tonal, developing its health care product line, and as a senior consultant to Oura Ring, Pacaso, and numerous other technology unicorns. From 2014-2019, Dr. Sikka was regional medical director for Anesthesia Management Solutions, serving the Midwest/Southwest U.S. region. He previously served as the associate director of data analytics for Mayo Clinic Sports and lead clinical research scientist for Tria Orthopaedic Center.
RISE National will take place March 11-14 in San Antonio. Click here for the full agenda, roster of speakers, and registration information.