Dr. Liebenson, sponsored by Beyond Measure Fitness Training, is the Founder of First Principles of Movement and Director of L.A. Sports & Spine, a pain management, rehabilitation & performance enhancement center providing one-on-one musculoskeletal care. He is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Chiropractic, Division of Health Sciences at Murdoch University, Perth Australia and consultant for the Anglo-European Chiropractic College M.Sc. programs in Chiropractic Rehabilitation. He is the first health care provider in California to receive a Certification of Recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) on Achievement of Recognition for Delivery of Quality Back Pain Care. Dr. Liebenson has engaged in research as a Visiting Scholar at Pr. Stuart McGill’s Spine Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Waterloo, Department of Biomechanics & Kinesiology. He is also the first ever chiropractic member of the McKenzie Institute (U.S.) Board of Directors, he serves on the editorial boards of numerous journals including the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation; the PM&R Journal of Injury, Function and Rehabilitation; the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy; and Journal of Manual Therapy.

Dr. Duggal Stephens is a champion of health. As a Health and Nutrition Strategist, she keeps us on the cutting edge of nutritional advice and health initiatives. Trained in medicine at Manipal University and the University of the West Indies, Dr. Duggal Stephens has always been drawn to healing through food. She went on to study nutrition science after completing her medical degree, and since then, her extensive knowledge has allowed her to help many patients manage their illnesses for which food was often a common denominator. She acts as a wellness guide both within our community and in the wider world. Dr. Duggal Stephens and her husband, Arjan Stephens, co-created Love Crunch granola and spearheaded Nature’s Path’s “Bite4Bite” initiative, through which up to $1 million is annually donated to food banks in need. In March, 2025, she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, which is awarded once in a reign to recognize those community leaders who have made significant contributions through service, mentorship, and advocacy.  A skilled teacher and writer, Dr. Duggal Stephens is also a lifelong meditator and has contributed to Meditation as Medication for the Soul. In her spare time, she mentors a global young adult group that focuses on ethical leadership, service, and conscious living.

Deepa Deshmukh (MPH, RDN, CDE, BC-ADM, Functional & Integrative Nutrition Specialist) is co-founder of DuPage Dietitians LLC and has been recognized as a “Top Ten Dietitians” in the country! For almost 20 years, Deepa has helped hundreds of people lose weight, reverse and manage their diabetes, and reduce their cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Deepa’s overarching goal is to help her patients be more productive at work and at home, have energy to enjoy life, eat foods without feeling guilty and sick, and no longer depend solely on medications to manage their health. She has been working with the underserved communities and minorities to help improve their nutrition literacy and self-care skills!

A favorite speaker at Veggie Fest, this year Dr. Fior is sponsored by National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois. Dr. Fior has been practicing Family Medicine and Homeopathy in the Chicagoland area since 1988. He is the co-founder and current president of the Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association, a founding partner for the Center for Integral Health, and Adjunct Faculty at National University of the Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois. Dr. Fior is a contributor to the book, Meditation as Medication for the Soul, and has been meditating and a lacto-vegetarian for over 35 years.

Dr. Gruft is one of the most forward-thinking pain management specialists. He is the author of From Pain to Wellness: Getting Help and Finding Freedom from Chronic Pain and founder-director of From Pain to Wellness, LLC based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Dr. Gruft is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.M.& R, F.A.A.P.M.R) and Pain Medicine (D.A.B.P.M.). Voted as Best Doctor by a nationwide survey of doctors, Dr. Gruft is respected by physicians throughout the country as one of the premier pain specialists practicing today. Dr. Gruft is a vegetarian, and his health center is vegetarian friendly. He is versed in functional medicine which uses nutrition to address medical issues. A gifted and highly sought-after guest lecturer and speaker, Dr. Gruft has presented to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation on “Comparison of the MOMC (Modified Orientation Memory Concentration)” and as guest lecturer for the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Cincinnati on “Comprehensive Management of Chronic Pain,” (among other engagements). He is a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a Diplomat of the American Board of Pain Medicine, and member of American Academy of Pain Medicine. As assistant professor at Rush Medical College, he received a Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Teacher of the Year for exhibiting the highest quality of teaching to physical medicine and rehabilitation residents. He earned the Golden Apple Award in recognition for excellence in teaching and training at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife and their two children.

Linda Kordich, co-author of the #1 best-selling New York Times book, The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing, sold millions of books with her late husband Jay Kordich, The JUICEMAN. Linda has been on many national television and radio shows, inspiring millions of people to start juicing and live on a plant-based diet. Linda has been a vegetarian since 1966 and a vegan since 1990. She has been coaching and teaching juicing since 1981 and was the co-founder of the Juiceman Company since 1981. Since then, she’s produced, designed and published the beautiful book, Live Foods / Live Bodies and the multimedia Living Health Program, as well as producing her Juicing Masterclass to help inspire others to become juice therapy enthusiasts!

Arjan Stephens (President of Nature’s Path Organic Foods, Artist and Conservationist) serves as the President of Nature’s Path Organic Foods, North America’s largest certified organic plant-based breakfast and snack food company. Arjan is dedicated to promoting conscious consumerism, particularly in the realm of food. He believes that our forks and wallets are powerful tools for positive change, with regenerative organic agriculture serving as the catalyst to transform the world for the better. Arjan has been instrumental in driving Nature’s Path mission including initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, protect biodiversity, and support organic farming communities. He loves gardening and volunteering at the Science of Spirituality Meditation & Ecology Center in British Columbia.

Aastha Saggar is the founder of Still Strength Wellness, where she empowers individuals to take control of their health through mindset, movement, nourishment, and presence. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master of Public Health, and brings over 5 years of experience as a health coach, along with more than a decade of experience in the healthcare field. At the age of 24, Aastha was diagnosed with breast cancer – a life-altering experience that transformed her perspective on health and healing. Through her journey, she discovered the profound impact of daily practices such as movement, gratitude, stillness, and plant-based nutrition in supporting recovery, but in creating a foundation for long-term well-being.

As someone who lives a vegan lifestyle and deeply values the power of movement, Aastha integrates both science and lived experience into her work. She is passionate about helping people shift from reacting to illness to proactively creating vitality, resilience, and balance in their everyday lives.

Aastha will be continuing her journey in healthcare by beginning nursing school this fall, further expanding her ability to support and care for others.

Today, she shares her story to inspire others to take ownership of their health in times of crisis, as well as a daily practice of self-care, awareness, and empowerment.