Rise

RISE National brings together world-class keynote speakers that deliver powerful and insightful messages in a way that moves audiences to action. These speakers are an important part of the conference experience and exemplify the spirit and ingenuity that drives our attendees to pursue success. Check out our keynotes that are taking the stage at RISE National 2025 in San Antonio.

Justin Wren

Elite UFC/MMA Fighter turned Global Humanitarian
Founder of Fight for The Forgotten

Sponsored By

OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Purpose. Performance. Impact

Justin will take you through an exploration of the power of service, the profound difference we can make in the lives of others, and the ripple effect that extends far beyond what we can imagine – including the transformation that occurs within ourselves when we choose to live purposefully and serve selflessly. He also unravels the secrets of the overcomer’s mindset, the unyielding spirit that separates the victors from the defeated. You will learn how to transform pain into fuel, setbacks into comebacks, and doubts into unwavering belief—in order to overcome obstacles and win this fight called life.   

About Justin Wren
Elite UFC/MMA Fighter turned Global Humanitarian and Founder of Fight for The Forgotten

Mercilessly bullied as a child, Justin responded by transforming himself into a champion MMA fighter. Yet despite his success, he quietly questioned the significance of his own athletic accomplishments. Each time his hand was raised in victory he thought, “Is this it? Is this as good as it gets?” As he fought his way to the top and battled never-ending injuries that accompany the profession, he slid into pain-killer addiction, battled depression, and attempted suicide. He was a champion on the outside but broken within.

It wasn’t until a chance collection of circumstances led Justin to one of the most remote places on earth, to live in the rainforest among the Pygmy people, some of the most impoverished and marginalized people on the planet, that he found his true purpose – helping others.

 

From that experience, ‘The Big Pygmy’ returned to the ring with purpose, founding the non-profit Fight For The Forgotten (FFTF) along the way. Since 2013, FFTF has provided more than 52,000 indigenous people with access to clean drinking water, replanted thousands of trees, acquired more than 3,000 acres of land in the name of the tribe and helped 1,800 people out of slavery and into freedom. Current projects include housing, education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods through community empowerment.

Today, Justin shares his remarkable story on stages across the country and around the world teaching others the tools, tactics and techniques to navigate any adversity, find purpose, and achieve meaningful impact in business and in life.  

 

Dr. Robby Sikka

NBA Physician & Health Innovator
Former Senior Consultant to Tonal, Oura Ring, Pacaso, & Other Tech Unicorns
Former Associate Director of Data Analytics at the Mayo Clinic

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: How AI Will Revolutionize Elder Care: Addressing the Aging Population's Unique Challenges with Artificial Intelligence and Compassion

As the global population ages, health care systems are facing unprecedented challenges in providing quality care to older adults. In particular, the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, the need for data-driven and cost-controlled care, and the need for personalized medicine all make Elder Care particularly unique.

Dr. Sikka will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming elder care, enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and personalized care through predictive analytics, remote monitoring, and smart technology integration, and can meet patients halfway. By addressing issues such as chronic disease management, mobility, and cognitive decline, AI can empower health care professionals to offer more efficient, accessible, and patient-centered care to the aging population. This talk will highlight the latest innovations, real-world applications, and future trends in AI-driven solutions for senior health. 

About Dr. Robby Sikka
NBA Physician & Health Innovator

Dr. Robby Sikka is an innovator in technology, healthcare, sports and analytics. He is a board certified anesthesiologist who has been in private practice for nearly a decade, and has worked in sports medicine research for over 20 years.  He has developed the world’s largest sports injury database for prediction of injuries and risk assessment, return to play and performance guidance, and optimization of rehabilitation strategies.  He is the founder of SMART (Sports Medicine Analytics Research Team), and previously served as the Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Wellness, and the Vice President of Basketball Performance and Technology for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also served as a consultant to the Minnesota Vikings for 5 seasons and the Washington Wizards for 3 seasons. He served on the NBA Sports Science Committee and presently serves as a team physician to the New York Yankees, Denver Broncos, several NBA teams, and oversees a large public health task force comprised of all pro sports leagues, Apple, Amazon, United Health Group, the White House, WHO, and numerous other organizations. He was a leader in the national response to COVID where he was one of the leaders in developing innovative diagnostics for COVID and infectious diseases.  His work with teams has ranged from strategic decision making, roster acquisitions and trade decisions, hiring of coaches and executives, assistance with rehabilitation and return to play strategies, injury prevention methods, and player development. He has helped teams optimize analytics strategies, worked to integrate technology, including virtual reality and player tracking, and has worked as a consultant to the NFL league office on performance analytics.  

Outside of sports, Dr. Sikka served as Senior Principal Consultant at Tonal, developing its healthcare product line, and as a senior consultant to Oura Ring, Pacaso, and numerous other technology unicorns. From 2014-2019, Dr. Sikka was regional medical director for Anesthesia Management Solutions, serving the Midwest / Southwest U.S. region. He previously served as the associate director of data analytics for Mayo Clinic Sports and lead clinical research scientist for Tria Orthopaedic Center. 

Dr. Sikka has published more than 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts, many on return to play after injury, and his research has been presented at dozens of national and international sports analytics and sports medicine meetings, and his work has been featured on CNN, ESPN, CNBC, Forbes, and Sports Illustrated, among others. 

Dr. Sikka attended the University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate studies and USC Keck School of Medicine for medical school. After graduating with honors at both schools, Dr. Sikka completed an anesthesiology residency at the University of Minnesota with a special interest in sports, physiology and technology. He was named a Rising Star in Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in anesthesiology, and was named to the 40 Under 40 list by Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal in 2017. A native of Minnesota, Sikka resides in Orono, MN with his wife, Simran, and their daughters, Gia and Liv.