Biohacking Summit Spotlight: How Women Are Shaping the Future

Biohacking, once perceived as an elite “boys’ club” dominated by testosterone-fueled speakers and high-cost technology, is evolving rapidly. As the London-founded Health Optimization Summit makes its U.S. debut this April in Austin, it will drive a notable shift in biohacking culture: an intentional focus on centering women’s voices and addressing gender-specific health topics. Unlike many U.S.-based wellness and longevity conferences that remain heavily male-dominated, this event aims to deliver a more balanced perspective—both on stage and among attendees.

A Deliberate Shift Toward Inclusivity

“A significant portion of our London audience has been female, and I’ve come to recognize that women’s health is even more relevant to American attendees than I initially thought,” says Tim Gray, founder of the Health Optimization Summit. “In past years, we’ve had nearly 50 percent female speakers—more than any other biohacking event I know of.”

In contrast, other major events in the sector lag behind: at the 2023 Biohacking Conference—one of the most prominent global biohacking gatherings—male speakers outnumbered female speakers by more than a 2:1 ratio.

Gray acknowledges that Dr. Mindy Pelz, a leading expert in women’s health and fasting science, told him following last year’s UK summit that the event remained “quite male-centric.” His team took this feedback to heart, which is why the U.S. edition places even greater emphasis on elevating female health within the biohacking landscape.

Growing Demand for Women’s Health Solutions

Per Gray, there is clear demand for this focus: women are increasingly seeking to optimize hormone health, understand perimenopause, manage stress and burnout, and engage with their biology in ways that were not part of mainstream discourse just five years ago.

This trend is reflected across the broader healthcare industry. A Silicon Valley Bank women’s health report notes that investments in women’s health have surged 314% over the past five years—outpacing the 28% growth in overall healthcare investments. Additionally, Global Market Insights projects the FemTech industry—which specializes in technology-driven women’s health solutions—will grow from a $60 billion global market value in 2024 to $216.3 billion by 2034.

Summit Highlights: Female-Centric Topics and Esteemed Speakers

At the Austin summit, female-centric topics will take center stage, including cycle syncing, metabolic flexibility, muscle’s role in aging, skin health, and hormone optimization. A panel featuring Dr. Amie Hornaman, Dr. Amy Killen, Dr. Stephanie Estima, and Alisa Vitti will deep-dive into “Navigating and Optimizing (Peri)Menopause,” providing actionable strategies for one of the most critical yet underdiscussed phases of women’s health.

Women’s health is not the sole focus, however: the summit assembles a diverse, esteemed lineup of leaders spanning wellness, fitness, and health optimization. High-profile figures such as JJ Virgin, Dr. Vonda Wright, Calley Means, Chris Williamson, and Gary Brecka are also featured speakers.

Another key session—a panel entitled “MAHA and the Future of Health: What’s Changing and How It Affects You”—will include thought leaders Calley Means, Max Lugavere, and Dr. Aseem Malhotra, who will explore evolving dynamics in modern healthcare systems, patient empowerment, and access to care.

Accessibility and Community at Its Core

Attendees exploring the vendor floor will encounter a blend of established brands and emerging names in health optimization, spanning supplements, sleep technology, functional foods, and beyond.

“The goal is accessibility—not just in price, but in perspective,” Gray explains. “We cover health, fitness, medicine, wellness, nutrition, biohacking, paleo, keto, longevity, functional medicine, and biological dentistry—all coexisting synergistically under one roof.”

Fostering community is Gray’s top priority. “I want everyone to make great friends and have an amazing time,” he says. “We don’t remember the event itself—we remember the people we meet. That’s precisely why I do this.”

Event Details

The Health Optimization Summit will be held April 12–13, 2025, in Austin, Texas.