Women’s Empowerment Summit 2026: The Women Who Make Us Braver, Dr. Nicole Persing—Wethington

Welcome to our Women’s Empowerment Summit 2026 spotlight series — a behind-the-scenes introduction to the powerhouse women who will be speaking on February 21 at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan. Each panelist brings a unique lens to women’s growth, courage, and connection.

Meet Dr. Nicole Persing-Wethington, The Scientist-Scholar-Yoga-Ninja Who Can Explain Your Nervous System Better Than Your Last Therapist

If Hermione Granger grew up, learned trauma-informed yoga, dove into neuroscience, and dedicated her life to helping communities heal, she’d look suspiciously like Dr. Nicole Persing-Wethington.

Nicole is a yoga, Tai-Chi, and mindfulness educator.

Nicole is a proud mother of two children.

Nicole's daughter was the first Junior Miss AuSable River Festival in Grayling.

Nicole hiking on the Narnia trail.

Nicole with her children on her son's move in day to college.

NIcole is also an artist, pictured here with her piece in ArtPrize.

Nicole is one of those people who can make the human brain sound like the world’s most fascinating choose-your-own-adventure story. Stress physiology? She’ll explain it in a way that makes you feel smart. Epigenetics? Suddenly, you get it. Somatic regulation? You’ll wonder why no one taught you this in middle school.

Her superpower isn’t just knowledge, it’s translation. She turns complex research into everyday wisdom women can actually use in the carpool line, in a hard conversation, or on a Tuesday afternoon when everything feels like too much.

Nicole teaches from a place that says, “You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be willing.” It’s progress over perfection, growth over pressure, breath over burnout.

At the Summit, she’s taking us on a tour of our own health and resilience with humor, humanity, and a whole-person approach that feels like a warm hand on your back.

If you’ve ever wished someone would explain your stress response in a way that felt like relief instead of a lecture… come sit next to Nicole.

This feature is part of our Women’s Empowerment Summit 2026 speaker series. Ready to learn from these incredible women in person? Join us on February 21 at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan. Tickets are $140 — secure your spot here!