What was once perceived as a testosterone-fueled, exclusive boy’s club filled with high-profile speakers and extravagant tech is rapidly transforming. This April, the London-born Health Optimization Summit will make its debut in Austin, marking a significant shift in the biohacking landscape: the intentional inclusion of women’s topics and voices. In contrast to numerous wellness and longevity conferences in the U.S., which often remain largely male-centric, this event aims to provide a more balanced representation both on stage and among attendees.
“A significant portion of our audience in London has been female, and I’ve come to realize that women’s health is a topic highly relevant in America,” shares Tim Gray, founder of the Health Optimization Summit. “In previous years, we’ve featured nearly 50 percent women speakers, setting a standard higher than any other biohacking event I know.”
In contrast, other major conferences in the biohacking field continue to show a gender imbalance. For instance, at the 2023 Biohacking Conference, there were more than twice as many male speakers as female.
Gray acknowledges that feedback from Dr. Mindy Pelz, a prominent advocate for women’s health and fasting, highlighted the male-centric nature of last year’s UK summit. Taking this feedback to heart, his team has worked to ensure that the U.S. edition places a stronger emphasis on women’s health within the biohacking domain.
The interest in women’s health is growing substantially, according to Gray. He notes that women are becoming increasingly focused on optimizing hormonal health, understanding perimenopause, managing stress and burnout, and gaining insights into their biology—topics that were scarcely discussed just five years ago.
This rising demand is mirrored by broader trends within the healthcare industry. A report from Silicon Valley Bank highlights a staggering 314% increase in women’s health investments over the past five years, significantly outpacing the 28% growth in overall healthcare investments. Furthermore, the FemTech industry, which concentrates on technology-driven solutions for women’s health, is projected to soar from a global market value of $60 billion in 2024 to $216.3 billion by 2034, according to Global Market Insights.
What Sets the Health Optimization Summit Apart?
The Austin summit will spotlight female-centric topics such as cycle syncing, metabolic flexibility, the role of muscle in aging, skin health, and hormone optimization. A special panel discussion with Dr. Amie Hornaman, Dr. Amy Killen, Dr. Stephanie Estima, and Alisa Vitti will delve into “Navigating and Optimizing (Peri)Menopause,” equipping attendees with practical strategies for this crucial and often overlooked phase of women’s health.
However, women’s health is just one facet of this dynamic gathering. The summit will also feature a respected lineup of experts from the wellness, fitness, and health optimization spheres. Notable speakers include JJ Virgin, Dr. Vonda Wright, Calley Means, Chris Williamson, and Gary Brecka.
A panel discussion titled “MAHA and the Future of Health: What’s Changing and How It Affects You” will bring together thought leaders Calley Means, Max Lugavere, and Dr. Aseem Malhotra to explore the evolving dynamics within modern health systems, the empowerment of patients, and greater access to care.
As attendees traverse the vendor floor, they will discover a mix of established brands alongside innovative newcomers in the health optimization space, offering everything from supplements to sleep technology and functional foods.
“Our goal is to create accessibility—not just in terms of cost, but also in perspective. We encompass health, fitness, medical, wellness, nutrition, biohacking, paleo, keto, longevity, functional medicine, and biological dentistry—all harmoniously connected within one venue,” adds Gray.
Gray emphasizes the importance of community at the summit, expressing, “I want everyone to forge great friendships and have an unforgettable experience. After all, we may not remember every detail of the event, but we will cherish the connections we make, and that’s precisely why I am passionate about this work.”
The Health Optimization Summit is scheduled for April 12-13, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
