I have a confession to make. When I pick up a newspaper, the first thing I do is flip straight to the obituaries. That's right, the obits.It's not because I'm morbid, and it's not because I've been a gerontologist since the field was in its infancy. It's because obituaries are the true highlight reels of our lives. In just a few paragraphs, you see what truly mattered.The passions, the quirks, the loves lost and gained, the impact, the risks taken or not. They're a masterclass in what it takes to live, not ...

[cheering and applause] Have I got news for you. Curious. Who wants to hear the news just by this opening slide.Let me hear you say, "What's the news?" >> What's the news. [cheering] >> I thought so. Well, the truth is, my friends, I've got good news and bad news.And I always like to know who's in the audience. So, if you like to hear the good news first, give me a thumbs up. >> Thumbs up.If you're the kind of person that likes to hear the bad news first and get it out of the way, give me a thumbs down. [sc ...

Something feels off in our bodies, in our neighborhoods, in the way we live our days. It's not just that we're tired. It's that we're disconnected. disconnected from stillness, from each other, from ourselves, and from the natural world that once gave our lives rhythm. But this didn't just happen to us. We designed it. We built technologies that connect us in an instant, but takes us out of the places that mean more than words or memes. where you can meet a gaze, smell the air, have a warm embrace under the ...

[music] [applause] Here's my pitch. Five words. Adults need to play more.I learned the hard way, and I don't want that for you. I've burned out multiple times in my career, wasting precious energy holding back some of the most creative and joyful parts of myself to fit in as a serious pants adult. And little did I know that by leaning into play, it would bring me energy.It would inspire others and it would be my life's best work. So, adults need to play more. Say it with me.Adults need to play more. Let's p ...

[applause] Six years ago, three words changed the trajectory of my life forever. There's no heartbeat. What started as a normal 8-week ultrasound turned into the doctor letting me know that I had silently miscarried.To say that it rocked my world would be an understatement. All the hopes and dreams and plans I had for my life, poof, gone in an instant. And all of these things that I had thought were insurmountable, like not getting promoted at work or fighting with friends, now felt inconsequential compared ...

remember, you’re not depressed, you just need:> 8 hours of sleep> a well balanced diet> lift 3x a week> sunlight for at least 20 minutes a day> hobby you actually look forward to> job that doesn’t drain the life from you> electrolytes, creatine and magnesium> family/friends who love you> 10 million dollars in bitcoin ...

Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Dreams - The speaker recounts a personal journey of recovery from severe post-traumatic stress disorder following a road traffic accident [1] - The journey involved overcoming fear, anxiety, and depression to fulfill a dream of driving from the United Kingdom to India [3][9] - The speaker drove solo through 32 countries in 57 days, covering 35,383 kilometers [4] Expedition Details and Challenges - The expedition included driving through nine mountain ranges, nine time zones, the Arctic Circle, and three major deserts [5] - The speaker acted as their own mechanic and doctor, performing car repairs and administering first aid in remote locations [6] - Pre-expedition preparations included cooking and freezing two months' worth of meals for the family [7] Inspiring Others and Personal Growth - The journey was described as a pilgrimage and a conversation with oneself, emphasizing personal exploration and growth [8][9] - The speaker highlights the importance of overcoming fear and taking journeys within oneself to inspire and motivate others [10] - The speaker emphasizes that anything is possible with determination and that individuals have the power to overcome their own challenges [9][10] Positive Interactions and Humanity - The speaker shares instances of kindness and help received from strangers along the way, highlighting the positive aspects of humanity [16][19] - Examples include a family in Kyistan offering a meal and a mechanic in China fixing a car suspension for free [16] - The speaker also mentions being treated favorably at the Russia-Latvia border due to being perceived as Indian [17][18][19]

I have been a sound engineer for the last 20 odd years. Um, and in the recent 5 years, I've got more into creating soundsscapes for relaxing. I'm also quite dyslexic, so for me on the for saying things off the cusp and in the moment is quite tricky.So, we've got I think Clive has some questions that he'd like to ask me just to put me in the zone to start with and then I'll flow from there. >> How did sound become important in your life. >> I can remember um looking back quite far to being a child um and my ...

Have you ever felt the frustration of being left out of a decision that shaped your life. I can guarantee everyone in this audience has specific needs. You might want to adjust your posture, stretch your legs.You may take comfort in having your own seat, your own spot. You may even want to glance at someone nearby and share a comment. These are all natural impulses to move, to connect, to feel comfortable and secure.They can help give you a sense of belonging. I've been an educational researcher for almost ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Consumer Sector - **Event**: Citi's 2025 China Conference - **Participants**: 44 China consumer companies were hosted, leading to the identification of five investment themes in the consumer sector [1][9] Investment Themes 1. **Shift Towards Experience Consumption**: - Consumers are increasingly valuing emotional experiences over physical goods, seeking happiness and self-expression through services [2] - Companies like Pop Mart provide affordable entertainment options that resonate with young consumers [2] 2. **Focus on Well-being**: - Younger generations are prioritizing spending on wellness, including health, fitness, and mindfulness [3] - Growth opportunities are seen in sectors like sportswear (Anta), health supplements (H&H), and beauty care (Giant Bio) [3] 3. **Rising Silver Economy**: - The aging population is driving demand for leisure and cultural experiences, benefiting industries like tourism (H World, Atour) and health supplements [4] 4. **Emerging New Channels**: - New offline channels such as membership stores and snack specialty chains are gaining traction, helping to offset declines in traditional distribution [5] 5. **Multi-brand Strategy**: - Companies are expanding their brand portfolios to meet diverse consumer demands, with a focus on easing channel inventory pressure [6] Company-Specific Insights Pop Mart (9992.HK) - **Sustainability of IP Operation**: Pop Mart is seen as a growth play due to its strong IP incubation capabilities. Concerns about growth sustainability are being addressed through new product launches [10] - **LABUBU Durability**: The company plans to enhance its LABUBU IP with new products and has postponed the launch of LABUBU 4.0 to 2026 [11] - **Overseas Expansion**: Plans to operate over 60 stores in the US by the end of 2025, with expansions into Canada and Mexico [13] Laopu Gold (6181.HK) - **Sales Growth Expectations**: Management expects high revenue growth in 2H25E driven by price adjustments and new store sales [16] - **Price Adjustment Strategy**: A recent price increase of over 25% aims to maintain a gross profit margin (GPM) of at least 40% [17] - **Store Expansion Plans**: Focus on expanding floor areas in existing malls rather than entering new ones [22] Haidilao International Holding Ltd (6862.HK) - **Recovery in Table-Turn**: Management anticipates positive momentum in table-turn rates due to seasonal factors and a low comp base [30] - **Operational Improvements**: Plans to terminate loss-making pilot programs to save on operational expenses [32] China Resources Beer (0291.HK) - **Sales Performance**: The company reported low single-digit year-over-year sales growth, outperforming peers [34] - **Margin Outlook**: Expected GPM improvement in 2H25E, with a target dividend payout ratio increase to ~60% in 2025E [36] Midea Group (0300.HK) - **Sales Growth Target**: Management maintains a target of ~10% sales growth for 2025, with a focus on air-conditioning sales recovery [40] - **Overseas Business Expansion**: Plans to increase overseas production to ~30% and grow sales in developed markets through M&A [41] Li Ning (2331.HK) - **Sales Guidance**: Maintained guidance for 2025 with expectations of flat sales and high single-digit net profit margin growth [48] Nongfu Spring (9633.HK) - **Sales Guidance**: Management reiterated a mid-teen percentage growth target for 2025, with limited impact from price wars in the beverage sector [51] Cosmetics Sector - **Mixed Performance**: Domestic brands like Mao Geping and Chicmax showed strong growth, while others lagged behind [56] - **Growth Strategies**: Companies are focusing on online sales growth and improving operational efficiency to enhance margins [57][59] Additional Insights - **Consumer Trends**: There is a notable shift towards experiential consumption and wellness, indicating a changing landscape in consumer preferences [2][3] - **Operational Strategies**: Companies are adopting multi-brand strategies and optimizing supply chains to enhance profitability and meet diverse consumer demands [6][14] This summary encapsulates the key insights and trends discussed during the conference, highlighting the evolving dynamics within the China consumer sector and specific company strategies.