This Saturday, September 28, the postponed 10th-anniversary celebration of the Guts and Glory Digestive and Wellness Expo will take place as the event marks its 11th year. Hosted by non-profit organization My Gut Instinct, Inc., and with Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center as the title sponsor, the Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Penn State Berks campus, 1801 Broadcasting Road.
Originally launched in 2013, Guts and Glory has evolved into a community-wide event that brings together over 100 vendors and interactive exhibits to promote health and wellness across all ages. The free event offers an array of activities, including a farmers’ market, fitness zones, wellness experts, yoga, massage therapy, and educational booths focused on nutrition and preventive care. Fresh, locally sourced food will also be available, making the Expo a holistic experience for attendees.
One of the highlights of this year’s Expo will be the debut of a 20-foot-long MEGA Colon exhibit, an immersive, educational display that will allow visitors to walk through a giant replica of the human colon. The exhibit aims to raise awareness about common digestive conditions in an engaging, interactive manner.
“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,” said founder Aparna Mele, M.D. “We also 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!”
Dr. Mele’s extensive background in gastroenterology, along with her experience in international relief work and local philanthropy, has fueled her commitment to promoting health education and raising awareness about preventable diseases. The event is designed to engage people at every stage of their health journey, from the health-curious to the health-conscious.
This year’s Expo will also feature special commemorative 10th-anniversary t-shirts available for purchase, as well as a variety of hands-on demonstrations aimed at empowering visitors to make positive lifestyle changes.
The Guts and Glory Digestive and Wellness Expo is more than just an event—it’s a movement that has received widespread media attention and recognition for its contribution to community health. With numerous local sponsors and volunteers, the event continues to grow each year, making it a cornerstone of health promotion in the Reading area.
My Gut Instinct is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the community to embrace health and wellness. Their mission is to increase awareness about preventable diseases, promote cancer screenings, and motivate people to make healthy choices for long-term well-being. For more information, visit mygutinstinct.org.
