My Gut Instinct, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Berks County, is hosting its second annual public educational health expo, Guts and Glory Digestive and Wellness Expo, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., September 19, at FirstEnergy Stadium, in Reading. The free, interactive event for all ages is designed to educate the health curious, elevate the understanding of the health conscious and raise community awareness of the importance of digestive health and overall wellness through the free exchange of information and resources.

The inaugural event in 2014 brought 1,000 visitors, including the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This year’s event will include lectures on nutrition, fitness and healthy living, live yoga and fitness presentations, informational booths and more. Free health screenings will be available from the event’s biggest sponsor, St. Joseph Regional Health Network, as well as biometric testing through Adventist Health Wellness Delivered.

Guts and Glory promises fun for all ages, including dance lessons, an inflatable obstacle course for kids, a rock climbing wall, live music, cooking demonstrations, a wellness tent with holistic experts, massage stations and a farmers’ market. Food truck vendors like Souvlaki Boys, Kino’s Tacos and Clover Farms will line the streets outside the stadium, and Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative will have a booth selling fresh produce to take home.

My Gut Instinct, founded by Aparna Mele, M.D., aims to promote community awareness of health and wellness through preventative health care and holistic well-being. “We aim to provide people with health knowledge and empower them to take action to live healthier lives and become beautiful from the inside out, because we believe beauty starts on the inside,” says Mele. “We want to show the community that eating and living healthy is not only easy to do, but it can also be fun and delicious, too.”

Attendees can memorialize their visit and make a commitment to improving their own health by signing the Pledge Wall and snapping a picture with Gutsy Girl, the event’s mascot. “Join us for an exciting journey of wellness education, nutritional awareness and health consciousness that will teach you how to treat your insides well for a healthy, balanced life,” urges Mele.

Rain date: September 20. Location: 1900 Centre Ave., Reading. For more information, visit MyGutInstinct.org. 

Michelle Bense is a freelance writer and editor for Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect with her at [email protected].