Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of the Whole30 program, and a six-time New York Times bestselling author. She has been featured by Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, People, and Forbes; and ranks #19 on Greatists Top 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness. Melissa is the host of the Do the Thing podcast, and is a prominent keynote speaker on social media and branding, health trends, and entrepreneurship. She lives in Salt Lake City, UT.

Kris Maynard, Founder of Glucose Revival, created the company out of his experiences as a Type 1 Diabetic and a firefighter/EMT because of the following factors:

1. His position in the Air Force was taken away due to his diagnosis as a type 1 diabetic.

2. For two years, his firefighter position was taken away, as a result of a low blood sugar incident.

3. Living active is important to him; yet, as any diabetic knows, it is truly challenging to be active without a lot of preparation anticipating a drop in blood sugar.

4. Most importantly, in 2018, Kris’ and his wife learned that their youngest son has two of the autoantibodies that predict that he too will likely be diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic in the next few years.

It has become his mission to help others live their lives to their fullest extent, despite a diabetes diagnosis.

Kelli Wilson Begay, MBA, MS, RDN comes from the Kickapoo, Seminole, and Muscogee Creek tribes of Oklahoma. She is a dietitian, wellness advocate, and entrepreneur who feels a sense of responsibility to utilize her diverse skill set to serve the social and health needs of Indigenous communities worldwide. She specializes in working on issues related to nutrition, type 2 diabetes, health communications, wellness, and more. As a Native person, Kelli has an in-depth understanding of the unique qualities and complex barriers that Native communities endure and advocates that their voices be heard.

When it comes to music, the lyrics you listen to matter, and that’s why Zumbi aka Zion-I creates flows rooted in spirituality and intention. Since the release of the debut album, Mind Over Matter in 2000, Zion I has risen up the ranks of independent hip-hop to solidify their standing as one of the most prolific conscious rap groups of the past 2 decades. Boasting a catalog that consists of over two-dozen albums, EPs, mixtapes and collaborations, Zion I (currently consisting solely of MC/producer Zumbi) continues to create inspired music influenced by social & political woes, personal challenges & triumphs as well as family, spirituality and a raw perspective on the world at large.

NOTE: With a heavy heart, we honor the memory of Zumbi, who passed away on August 13, 2021. We are so grateful for his energy, wisdom, and contributions to the world at large, especially this community.

Emily Isaacs, MA, MEd, LPC has been working at the junction of mental health and wilderness for over 15 years. She draws her expertise from extensive time working outdoors with NOLS, Outward Bound, and Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, clinical work in wilderness, hospital, crisis, and private practice settings, and four years as the Executive Director of Women's Wilderness. Emily brings together her knowledge and passion helping people transform through trauma, grief, anxiety and depression, via mindfulness and nature-based therapy. She loves exploring the mountains with her two young daughters.

Marionette developed a heart for nature and the outdoors at an early age. She explored and played in the creek behind her home and was introduced to camping as a Girl Scout. Then life happened. Marriage, four children and 10 years living abroad resulted in less time in nature. After returning to the U.S. in 2013, Marionette picked up hiking. Earlier this year, she started the Nurtured by Nature Club to help African-American families explore and connect with nature. Marionette is also a GirlTrek Organizer and Adventure Squad Leader, encouraging African-American women to practice radical self-care through the simple act of walking.

Steve Turner weighed 250 pounds in the fall of 2016 and was just diagnosed with diabetes. The lifetime New Hampshire resident was instructed to hit the gym and lose weight.

He followed his doctor’s orders and went to the gym – twice.

Instead, he hit the street and took up running. His goal was to run to the next telephone pole on his street; when he reached that pole, he tried to get to the next one, and then the next one, and the next one, and so on.

One telephone pole became two, and one mile became two. He got to the point where he wanted to train and compete the following August at the Saunders at Rye Harbor 10K.

10K became 100 miles, where he placed 10th in the Mid-state Massive Ultra Trail race. As it turns out, 100 miles was not enough for Turner. Shortly after finishing his longest race he began his year-long training for the Moab 240 Endurance Run, a 240.3-mile race through some of Utah's most stunning and challenging terrain.

Mike Joyce is a long distance backpacker, endurance runner, and adventure enthusiast living with Type 1 diabetes since February 2, 1996. He thru-hiked The Appalachian Trail (~2,200 miles) in 2019, The Pacific Northwest Trail (~1,200 miles) in 2020, has participated in a half dozen ultra marathons, the Continental Divide Trail (~3,100 miles) in 2021.

Not always an endurance athlete, in 2017 Mike was on his way to developing double diabetes as he continued to put on weight. Through a drastic series of changes in management by way of diet, exercise, and diabetes care, he began shedding the extra weight and stopped using diabetes as an excuse.

Mike has been interviewed on various diabetes podcasts including Diabetes Daily Grind, Juicebox Podcast, and Diabetic Tim Podcast. He has also been interviewed regarding his Appalachian Trail thru-hike with diabetes on Asweetlife.org. He is actively involved with sharing his story with the local JDRF chapter.

Erik Douds is an adventure filmmaker and educator living with Type 1 Diabetes. He is based in Denver, Colorado. Yet, many nights are spent in the outdoors with his bike “Dark Roast.” His YouTube channel focuses on travel, technology, and managing type 1 diabetes. His stories have included biking across America, living in Ethiopia, hiking in New Zealand, two failed skydiving attempts, and other adventures.

Erik creates content for top outdoor brands like REI, Pearl iZUMi, Arc’Teryx, Revo, Adventure Cycling, Sea to Summit, and BioLite. Trips include biking the Trans America Trail, running the Copenhagen marathon, and touring Alaska.

Diabadass.com shares expert knowledge through online courses that use step-by-step video and written instructions to show others living with diabetes how to go anywhere and do anything.

He has spoken at American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure, competed for team Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, writes for Diabetes Daily, and has been recognized as an exceptional donor by the Harvey E Nussbaum M.D. society.