"Momentum in the Mountains 2026" - A Health Connections Retreat
About this Event
Join Positive Momentum for this AMAZING DAY that will empower you to "take charge of your health" through world- renowned speaker presentations, networking opportunities, and communal connection through local food, healthy wine, and music. Additionally, the event includes a fun and exciting "Ask Me Anything" session where you can ask ANY question you may have to the entire panel of speakers below!!! (PLEASE ALSO SEE EVENT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN FAQ SECTION BELOW.)
Our speaker line up for the day includes (SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR PICS and FULL DAY AGENDA):
*Perry Nickelston, DC is a Chiropractic Physician with a primary focus on treating chronic pain and inflammation via the lymphatic and vascular systems. He is the Owner of Stop Chasing Pain, LLC, International Speaker, and Educator of the self-care MOJO series. He is a 1997 graduate of Palmer Chiropractic University and a master fitness trainer with over 25 years of experience in the health industry. Dr. Perry specializes in Performance Enhancement, Corrective Exercise, and Metabolic Fitness Nutrition and is trained by The American College of Addictionology and Compulsive Disorders. He is an expert in myofascial, orthopedic, medical, and trigger point soft tissue therapy, and is a member of the Board of Directors and Medical Staff Advisor for AIMLA (American Institute of Medical Laser Application). Perry is an expert in movement assessment and diagnosis and is Certified and trained as a Functional Movement Specialist (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment Specialist (SFMA). He uses programs designed to find sources of non-painful dysfunction, so your site of pain improves. Dr. Perry’s mission is to EDUCATE individuals on how to help themselves (and others) to live a life free of chronic pain. You can find Dr. Perry at https://www.facebook.com/officialstopchasingpainllc. Somers and I have visited Dr. Perry in NJ to receive his "magic" and to learn from the "master"!!!
*Dr. PhiIip Ovadia is a a board-certified Cardiac Surgeon and founder of Ovadia Heart Health. He and his team's mission is to optimize the public’s metabolic health and help people like you "stay off his operating table". As a heart surgeon who used to be morbidly obese, he has seen firsthand the failures of mainstream diets and medicine. He realized that what helped him lose over 100 pounds was the same solution that could have prevented thousands of open heart surgeries he has performed — metabolic health! In , he shares the complete metabolic health system to prevent disease. Dr. Phil will be launching his latest book, "Stay Off of My Kitchen Table"soon...follow this link to pre-order his latest book https://ifixhearts.com/books/. He grew up in New York and graduated from the accelerated Pre-Med/Med program at the Pennsylvania State University and Jefferson Medical College. This was followed by a residency in General Surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry at New Jersey and a Fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Tufts – New England Medical School. Through Ovadia Heart Health, Dr. Phil and his team teach individuals and organizations his complete metabolic health system to prevent and reverse disease, avoid early death, and live well for life!
*Dr. Steve Hughlett is a Doctor of Ph*rm*cy with over 35 years of experience. He earned his doctorate from the University of Missouri - Kansas City and completed a pediatric residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in 1992. Steve spent 29 years as a clinical pharmacist at a 500-bed hospital in Southern Missouri. Inspired by the transformative power of nutrition on health, he took early retirement to focus on promoting disease prevention and reversal through nutrition rather than relying on medications with all of their extensive amount of side effects. Now, he helps people get off their diabetic medications within a month and teaches them how to continue this process to totally reverse their type 2 diabetes. Alongside his wife of 40 years, Steve is dedicated to helping others embrace true health through nutrition education.
*Dr. Stephen Hussey is a Chiropractor; Functional Medicine Practitioner; Heart Attack Survivor; Type 1 Diabetic; Quantum Health Expert; Author; Speaker; Health Consultant, and Always Learning. He attained both his Doctorate of Chiropractic and Masters in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States in Portland, OR. He is a health coach, speaker, and the author of three books on health; The Health Evolution: Why Understanding Evolution is the Key to Vibrant Health, Understanding The Heart: Surprising Insights Into The Evolutionary Origins Of Heart Disease – And Why It Matters, and Pain Sense: Revolutionary Insights into Human Physiology and How it Helps Us Understand and Eliminate Chronic Pain. Dr. Hussey guides clients from around the world back to health by using the latest research and health attaining strategies. In his down time, he likes to be outdoors, play sports, read, write, and travel.
Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel (ret), now practices in rural Northern Maine. As a Professor as West Virginia University School of Medicine , Mark developed and adopted an inpatient protocol for using a low-carb diet for patients with obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. An advocate for evidence based policy and education, Mark is a founding member of The Nutrition Coalition, a board member of The Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners and The Hypoglycemia Foundation and on advisory committee for Coalition for Metabolic Health. Mark’s current research interests are diabetes remission, the use of continuous glucose monitors, and carbohydrate reduction for severe pediatric obesity. His book “Run For Your Life” summarizes the science and the soul of running, nutrition, and physical activity to help you maintain a vigorous life.
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FAQs:
Where can I stay in Highland/Bath County or surrounding areas?
If you are traveling to our event from out of town, follow this link for some FANTASTIC local accommodations: https://members.highlandcounty.org/member-directory/Search/lodging-209181. You can also find accommodations in nearby Staunton, VA, Harrisonburg, VA, and Roanoke, VA as well as West Virginia. The Monterey Inn will not be available for July 24 and 25 as the event speakers will be staying there.
Can I be an event sponsor?
Of course! Event sponsorships are greatly needed for the success of our event. Sponsorship levels are as follows:
"Happy" Sponsor: $1,200 – includes 6 event tickets, premium-advertising placement, & reserved premium seating
"Healthy" Sponsor: $800 – includes 4 event tickets, preferred-advertising placement, & reserved preferred seating
"Strong" Sponsor": $450 - includes 2 event tickets & advertising placement
For more information on sponsorship levels and benefits, please email us at [email protected] or [email protected] or call 434-546-1268 or 434-546-3552.
Can I purchase tickets locally?
YES!!! You may purchase your tickets during normal business hours at Shamrock & Stephenson Realty located at 131 West Main Street, Monterey, VA 24465 and Highland Roots Market in downtown Monterey.
What are my parking options at the event?
There is ample street parking nearby in our quaint mountain village of Monterey, VA as well as at the event venue. Please come early and enjoy our local businesses, restaurants, farms, sights, and community.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Contact Positive Momentum, LLC (Steve Fullerton and Somers Stephenson) at [email protected] or [email protected], or PM us on Facebook.
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
There is no age limit to enter the event, but please bring ID in case there is a need to match the ticket to its holder. Dry Farm Wines will be served at happy hour and during the event so please bring appropriate age identification.
Where are the proceeds from the event going?
The event sponsor, Positive Momentum, LLC, is donating ALL net proceeds, to support its continuing program to provide StandUP/Active Desks to the Highland County Public Schools to help improve academic performance, physical health, and classroom engagement of our community's very valuable resource...our children. Thanks to all who have come to our events or contributed, we now have these desks in three elementary classes and one high school class!!!
What should I bring to the event?
A curious mind, a desire to learn and have fun doing it, and, of course, pen & paper to take notes. Oh, and a healthy appetite for some fantastic local foods, Dry Farm Wines, and your dancing shoes!!!
Perry Nickleston, DC; Owner, "Stop Chasing Pain"; Leading Internet Health Educator; Functional Movement Specialist; Body Work Master
Dr. Phil Ovadia, Heart Surgeon; Founder of Ovadia Heart Health; Author of "Stay Off My Operating Table"; Author of new book "Stay Off of My Kitchen Table"; Key Note Speaker for many Metabolic Health Events
Dr. Steve Hughlett, Doctor of Ph*rm*cy; 29 Years as Clinical Pharmacist; Functional Health Expert; Author of "Your Plate is Your Fate"
Dr. Stephen Hussey, Chiropractor; Functional Medicine Practitioner; Health Coach; Author of the books "The Health Evolution: Why Understanding Evolution is the Key to Vibrant Health", "Understanding The Heart: Surprising Insights Into The Evolutionary Origins Of Heart Disease – And Why It Matters", and "Pain Sense: Revolutionary Insights into Human Physiology and How it Helps Us Understand and Eliminate Chronic Pain".
Dr. Mark Cucuzzella; Doctor of Family Medicine, Obesity Medicine, Community Health & Physical Fitness; Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine; Lieutenaut Colonel of the Air Force, Author of "Run for Your Life" and several other books
https://vimeo.com/119788136
Agenda
🕑: 07:00 AM - 08:00 AM
Guest Check In - PLEASE BE PROMPT
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Welcome from Hosts Somers Stephenson & Steve Fullerton
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Dr. Steve Hughlett Presentation
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Dr. Mark Cucuzzella Presentation and Q&A
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Break - Coffee and Restrooms
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Stephen Hussey Presentation and Q&A
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Boxed Lunch Break, Fellowship, Visit vendors
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Perry Nickleston Presentation and Q&A
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Break - Coffee & Restrooms
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Phil Ovadia Presentation and Q&Q
🕑: 03:30 PM - 05:00 PM
"Ask Me Anything" Panel - ALL SPEAKERS
Host: Steve & Somers as moderators
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Happy Hour featuring Dry Farm Wines/Music/Fellowship
Host: Dry Farm Wines/Local DJ & Dancers
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Local Foods Supper and Music
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 151.23 to USD 199.26
