2026 Schedule

 Empowerment Coach | Speaker | Podcast Host

Coping with a Lifetime of Surgeries

Meghann Dawson spent much of her life believing she needed to become better in order to be worthy. Born with physical differences, shaped by childhood trauma, and driven by perfectionism, she became remarkably good at looking successful while privately struggling to feel whole. A quiet inner knowing eventually sent her on a years-long journey of healing, self-discovery, and learning to love all of who she is.

Today, Meghann is a writer, speaker, and founder of The Unperfect Life Co. Her experiences became the foundation for The Unperfect LEVEL UP™, a framework that helps people listen to their own lives, trust themselves, and become more fully who they are. Her forthcoming memoir, Becoming Is Messy, is the first book in The Unperfect Life Trilogy. Through her writing, speaking, and podcast, Meghann explores a simple belief: a better world begins when we become more ourselves.

Former Wisconsin Badger Men's Basketball Player

Coping with OCD & Anxiety

 Aidan grew up chasing a dream that eventually landed him on the court as a preferred walk-on for the Wisconsin Badgers. From the outside, it looked like everything was going right. On the inside, he was quietly wrestling with OCD and anxiety—something most people around him never saw. For years, he kept it hidden, convinced that letting anyone see his struggles would cost him everything.

His road to healing began when he could no longer manage it on his own. Aidan chose to be vulnerable and let people see what he had worked so hard to hide. Through cognitive behavioral therapy, he learned to stop running from the anxious thoughts and compulsions and instead face them head-on, slowly taking back control of his life.

Today, Aidan shares his full story to remind others that struggling in silence isn't the only option. He's honest about what OCD and anxiety actually feel like—and about the difficult, often unglamorous work it takes to get better. He shares his story for the person who thinks they're the only one who feels this way.

Because sometimes, healing begins when we stop hiding and start talking.

 Shannon Kenitz, BS, ADC
Executive Director, International Hyperbarics Association 

Hope for  my Daughter

Shannon is a dedicated advocate, accomplished leader, and devoted mother whose personal journey inspired her mission to expand access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and is certified in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, with extensive experience supporting individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges.

Shannon’s journey into hyperbaric medicine began when her daughter, Grace, was diagnosed with a rare mitochondrial disorder. After traditional treatments failed and doctors prepared to withdraw life support, Shannon turned to HBOT as a last hope. Following 17 sessions, Grace experienced dramatic improvements, including restored vision and cognitive function. That experience transformed Shannon into a passionate advocate for hyperbaric therapy.

Since 2005, Shannon has served as Executive Director of the International Hyperbarics Association, promoting education, advocacy, and safe access to HBOT. She has spoken internationally in more than 15 countries and continues to share her story and message of hope with patients, families, and healthcare professionals around the world.

 President - Fairchild Development | Managing Partner - Syncopation | President - #SmallWins Foundation

Sobriety & Liver Transplant Survivor

Mark Fairchild is a community leader whose volunteer work centers on helping people through recovery and transplantation. As Founder and President of the #SmallWins Foundation, he has helped more than 70 people find or maintain sobriety. He mentors others on their recovery and transplant journeys and speaks publicly about organ donation, liver transplantation, and compassionate care. Mark also serves as Board President of Ridgewood Pool, an At-Large Member of the Our Lady Queen of Peace School Education Commission, and a Commissioner on the Fitchburg Board of Review.

Mark is President of Fairchild Development and Managing Partner of Syncopation, L.L.C., a mixed-use development in Fitchburg. He brings more than 17 years of multifamily executive experience, having led large residential portfolios and teams. Today, he focuses on development strategy, partnerships, municipal approvals, and financing. He was named to InBusiness Madison’s 2024 Forty Under 40.

CEO Buck & Honey's Restaurants

How to Stay Positive Building a Business

Tom is an experienced owner in the restaurant and real estate industries. Much of his time is spent building a committed team, creating a premier hospitality experience, and finding ways to learn and grow. He maintains a positive outlook, embraces challenges, and believes in not sweating the small stuff. A Wisconsin Dells native, Tom now calls Sun Prairie home. He enjoys making new friendships, spending time with family, and having a good time. His favorite quote is, “The only thing we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” — J.R.R. Tolkien.

Buck & Honey’s opened its first location in Sun Prairie in 2010 and now has four locations in Sun Prairie, Monona, Waunakee, and Mount Horeb. The restaurants offer contemporary American cuisine, blending family-casual dining with an elevated experience. Catering and private events have become an integral part of the business.

With roughly 380 employees, Buck & Honey’s is guided by four core values: Empathy, Inclusion, Fun, and Community. The company has earned numerous Best of Madison awards and continues to celebrate Wisconsin hospitality.

Inner Child Healer | Registered Dietician | Unscripted Healing

Coping with Body Dysmorphia

Tami Schiltz, RD, CPT, is a wellness educator, speaker, and community leader who helps people understand why change feels hard -- even when motivation is high and intentions are good.

A Registered Dietitian, certified personal trainer, podcast host of Tami Talks: Unscripted Healing, and co-owner of F45 Training Madison West, Tami blends science, lived experience, and honest conversation to explore the deeper drivers behind stress, habits, and burnout.

Rather than offering surface-level motivation or quick fixes, her work focuses on awareness, nervous system safety, and the patterns we develop early in life that continue to influence how we show up at work, in relationships, and in our health. Her approach is practical, relatable, and grounded -- designed to help people reconnect with themselves in a way that actually sticks.

Sales & Marketing Expert | Ultimate Hype Woman | Public Speaking Enthusiast

Coping with a Major Injury & Divorce

 Within a six-month period, Anna found herself navigating some of life’s biggest challenges: major hip surgery, divorce, an unexpected job loss, her father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, and her mother undergoing heart surgery. There wasn’t one defining turning point or a perfect roadmap forward. She simply kept going.

During that season, Anna learned to take life one day at a time, choosing gratitude for what was good rather than allowing herself to be consumed by what was going wrong. More importantly, she learned the power of leaning into who she is and refusing to lose herself along the way.

A former Division I athlete and successful sales leader, Anna has built her life and career around perseverance, hard work, connection, and an unwavering belief in what people are capable of achieving.

Today, what she is most proud of isn’t simply what she has overcome, but her ability to inspire others to believe in themselves. Her message is simple: Life is hard for everyone in different ways, but gratitude, perseverance, and hard work can carry us through more than we ever imagined.

Conference Host

Podcast Host of Survive & Thrive 8791 the Podcast

Mental Health & Recovery Advocate

 Tim Decorah is an educator, coach, former collegiate athlete, storyteller, and mental health and recovery advocate. After 32 years in education, Tim now uses his personal experiences and passion for helping others to create conversations that remind people they are not alone—and that there is always hope.

Tim is the founder and host of Survive & Thrive 8791, a podcast and growing platform dedicated to sharing real stories of struggle, resilience, recovery, and hope. Through honest conversations with everyday people, Tim works to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and recovery and encourage others to find the courage to ask for help and discover their own path forward.

In 2025, Tim launched the first Survive & Thrive 8791 Mental Health & Recovery Conference, bringing people together to listen, learn, share, and connect. Now in its second year, the conference continues that mission: to share stories and conversations that make you cry, laugh, think, & heal.

Tim believes every person has a story—and sometimes sharing it can help someone else survive and thrive.