SATURDAY, MAY 16TH, 2026
Hotel Arts, 119 12 Ave. SW, Calgary, AB, T2R 0G8
THE RETREAT IS SUPPORTED BY
Sex and Desire
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Saturday, May 16th, 2026
TIME: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
LOCATION:
Hotel Arts
119 12 Ave SW,
Calgary, AB
T2R 0G8
ROOM: Spectrum Conference Rooms
Get ready, Calgary — this is not your typical health conference. Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo LIVE is a one-day, high-energy experience designed for women who want real answers, real connection, and real fun. You’ll hear directly from Canada’s leading experts in menopause, sleep, nutrition, strength training and sexual health — delivering science-based, no-BS guidance you can actually use right away. But this isn’t just about learning — it’s about feeling seen, supported, and energized in a room full of women who get it. Expect eye-opening talks, practical takeaways, laughter, music, movement, and the kind of electric community vibe that turns strangers into instant allies. You’ll leave informed, empowered, and fired up about your future — wondering why no one taught you this sooner. Seats are limited, and this experience will sell out. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start aging powerfully, this is where you need to be.
AGING POWERFULLY WITH MELISSA GRELO: LIVE IN CALGARY
MEET THE EXPERTS
Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe Menopause 101
Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe is a leading Canadian family physician specializing in menopause and midlife women’s health. Based in Toronto, she combines decades of clinical experience with expertise in lifestyle medicine and chronic disease prevention. She serves as Medical Director of Primary Care Outreach at Women’s College Hospital and practices at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. A Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and member of The Menopause Society, Dr. Sheila is also a trusted media expert, appearing regularly on CTV’s The Social and contributing to The Globe and Mail. She is known for her compassionate, evidence-based approach to midlife care.
Dr. Shafeena Premji
Hormonal and Non-Hormonal Therapies
Dr. Shafeena Premji is a family physician and menopause specialist recognized nationally for advancing midlife women’s healthcare. A Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, she provides comprehensive menopause care through her leadership roles as Founder and Medical Director of Milestone — Menopause Centre of Southern Alberta and several primary care clinics. She serves on the Board of the Canadian Menopause Society and the Medical Advisory Board of the Menopause Foundation of Canada. Frequently featured in major media, Dr. Premji is known for translating complex science into compassionate, practical care.
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Amanda Thebe
Strength & Fitness in Midlife
Amanda Thebe is an internationally recognized fitness and women’s health expert with nearly 30 years of experience helping women thrive through menopause and beyond. She is the best-selling author of Menopocalypse and a leading menopause workplace educator, advising organizations worldwide on supporting women’s health at work. Amanda holds advanced certifications in strength training, nutrition, and program design, and has coached both elite athletes and everyday women. Featured in outlets including Oprah Magazine, CBC, and Global News, she is known for her science-informed, no-nonsense approach to building strength, confidence, and resilience.
Alissa Steinberg
Nutrition
Alissa Steinberg is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with more than 15 years of clinical experience across leading Canadian institutions. Founder of Healthy U, she specializes in the metabolic and hormonal changes of midlife, focusing on prevention, longevity, and sustainable lifestyle strategies. An MSCP candidate with The Menopause Society, Alissa is known for translating complex nutrition science into practical guidance for hormone balance, cardiometabolic health, and muscle preservation. She also reaches hundreds of thousands through social media, empowering women to make informed, confident decisions about their health.
Dr. Lori Brotto
Sexual Health & Desire
Dr. Lori Brotto is an internationally recognized expert in women’s sexual health and a Professor at the University of British Columbia. A Registered Psychologist and Distinguished University Scholar, her research focuses on treatments for low desire, arousal difficulties, and sexual pain. A pioneer of mindfulness-based sexual therapy, her work has shaped clinical guidelines worldwide. She is the bestselling author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness and has been featured in major media including Netflix’s The Principles of Pleasure. Dr. Brotto is known for her warm, stigma-free approach to improving intimacy and wellbeing.
Dr. Colleen E. Carney
Sleep Science
Dr. Colleen E. Carney is a Professor of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University and Director of the Sleep and Depression Laboratory (SADlab). An internationally recognized insomnia expert, she develops evidence-based treatments for sleep disorders, particularly when they co-occur with depression. Formerly on faculty at Duke University, she received the National Sleep Foundation’s Pickwick Fellowship. Dr. Carney has published over 100 scientific papers and helped shape Ontario’s clinical guidelines for insomnia. A global leader in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), she trains healthcare providers worldwide to deliver effective, medication-free sleep care.
WHAT TO EXPECT
8:00-9:00 AM - Registration & Welcome
Check in, pick up your materials, enjoy a warm beverage, and start connecting with other incredible women before the day begins.
9:00 AM - Event Kickoff
We officially launch the day together with an energizing welcome.
9:30 AM — MENOPAUSE MASTERCLASS with Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe
A powerful, evidence-based deep dive into perimenopause and menopause — what’s happening in your body, what’s normal, what’s not, and what you can do about it.
10:15 AM — Hormonal & Non-Hormonal Therapies with Dr. Shafeena Premji
Clear, practical guidance on treatment options for menopause symptoms, including hormone therapy and effective non-hormonal approaches — empowering you to make informed decisions about your care.
11:00 AM — Mid-Morning Snack Break
Refuel, refresh, and connect.
Interactive Workshop Rotations
You’ll rotate through three immersive, hands-on workshops focused on key pillars of Aging Powerfully:
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Nutrition in Midlife with Alissa Steinberg
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Strength Training with Amanda Thebe
11:15 AM — Workshop Rotation 1 Begins
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Group A: Nutrition with Alissa Steinberg
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Group B: Strength Training with Amanda Thebe
12:15 PM — Workshop Rotation 2 Begins
(Move rooms at 12:00 PM)
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Group A: Strength Training with Amanda Thebe
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Group B: Nutrition with Alissa Steinberg
MIDDAY
1:00 PM — Lunch Break
Enjoy a nourishing meal, relax, and deepen connections with fellow attendees.
Afternoon Workshops & Energy Boosts
2:15 PM — "Tired But Wired": Sleep Science with Dr. Colleen Carney
(Move to Main Auditorium at 2:00 PM)
3:00 PM — Mid-Afternoon Snack Break
Recharge before the final stretch.
3:15 PM — Dance Break
A fun, energizing movement session to reset your body and mind.
GRAND FINALE
3:30 PM — Sexual Health & Desire Session with Dr. Lori Brotto and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe
An eye-opening, stigma-free conversation on intimacy, desire, and sexual wellbeing — followed by Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe joining for an integrated discussion and Q&A.
4:30 PM — Mix & Mingle + Dance Floor Therapy
Meet the experts, connect with new friends, celebrate the day, and let loose on the dance floor.
5:00 PM — Event Concludes
WHAT YOUR TICKET INCLUDES
Your ticket is your all-access pass to a truly one-of-a-kind experience — a full day with some of Canada’s top experts in menopause, sleep, nutrition, strength training, and sexual health, all in one room and focused entirely on YOU.
Expect clear, science-backed information you can trust (no fads, no fluff, no shame), delivered in a way that’s practical, empowering, and immediately useful in real life. But this isn’t just about learning — it’s about feeling energized, supported, and part of something bigger. You’ll move your body, laugh, ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, and connect with a community of smart, curious, like-minded women who are ready to age powerfully alongside you.
Your day also includes:
• Delicious snacks
• Non-Alcoholic Drinks
• Nourishing Lunch
• Interactive Workshops
• Live Q&As
and unforgettable moments of joy — including music, movement, and celebration.
Come for the knowledge, stay for the connection, and leave feeling informed, inspired, and completely fired up about your future.
*ALL TICKETS ARE FINAL SALE AND NON-REFUNDABLE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHAT TO WEAR – OLD SCHOOL COOL 😎
We all wonder this, don’t we? Here’s your cue: comfort meets cool.
The vibe is Old School Cool — think tracksuits, sneakers, and effortless athleisure. You’ll be sitting, learning, moving, mingling, maybe even dancing… so dress for ease, energy, and confidence. No heels required (or recommended).
Athleisure is absolutely welcome, and if you’ve got a retro tracksuit hiding in your closet, now is its moment. Coordinated outfits? Even better. Matching squad tracksuits? Iconic. If you’re that kind of crew, we fully support it.
Bottom line: come comfortable, come wearing what you love, come ready to move — and most importantly, come as yourself. ✨