Jen Aks

The Body’s Hidden Intelligence

From Mindset to Bodyset

We live in a world of constant noise. From social media to societal expectations, young adults are bombarded with voices telling them who to be and how to measure their worth—usually through a test score or a GPA. But what if the most important intelligence you possess isn’t found in a textbook, but within yourself?

In this transformative keynote, Jen Aks identifies a critical void in our education system: the “Smart Trap.” While schools prioritize logical and mathematical data, decades of neuroscience and psychology confirm that human intelligence is far broader. True success requires more than just a sharp mind; it requires a powerful Bodyset.

What You Will Discover

Jen introduces The Power of Gesture®, a signature practice that bridges the gap between scientific research and daily life. You will learn that somatic, kinesthetic, and emotional intelligence are not just “soft skills”—they are neurologically real tools that allow you to navigate pressure, read a room, and trust your instincts.

Attendees will walk away empowered to lead with their full human intelligence, moving beyond “thinking” and into a state of “knowing.” In a competitive job market, this body-brain alignment creates the unique value and authentic presence that employers are desperately seeking.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Expand the Definition of “Smart”: Transition from a narrow IQ-focused mindset to a “Bodyset” perspective that incorporates somatic and emotional intelligence.
• Lead with Bodyset: Learn how to integrate physical sensations with your mindset to make decisions that feel right, allowing you to lead others with a balance of authority and kindness.
• Navigate Uncertainty: Master The Power of Gesture®—a practical tool that helps you access inner wisdom and find clear direction when facing high-stakes choices about your career, relationships, and future.
• Master the Science of BQ: Understand the neuroscience behind multiple forms of intelligence and discover why Body Intelligence (BQ) is the “missing piece” needed to thrive in today’s world.

Decide with Conviction: building the confidence that carries you through college

for first year students & orientation

Incoming freshmen stand at a pivotal crossroad: they are leaving behind their high school identities to step into who they are becoming. In this transition, students are often bombarded with advice to “get involved” and “figure it out,” leading to mental spin and social anxiety.
Jen Aks introduces a refreshing alternative: the realization that your body knows how to orient itself, even when your mind is overwhelmed.
In this interactive session, Jen normalizes the disorientation of the freshman experience—the homesickness, the comparison, and the fear of not belonging. Drawing on neuroscience and her signature practice, The Power of Gesture®, she shows that students possess an innate intelligence capable of guiding them through high-pressure moments. Students move from panic to calm, learning to access their “bodyset” to make decisions grounded in courage rather than fear. They leave with the practical tools to trust themselves in an unfamiliar environment and the confidence to navigate their new chapter with clarity.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending the program, students will:

• Unlock Innate Intelligence: Gain immediate access to clarity and confidence by recognizing the signals of kinesthetic and emotional intelligence.
• Master the Reset: Learn The Power of Gesture®, a tangible physical practice to ground the nervous system anywhere—from a dorm room to a crowded library—whenever doubt or loneliness strikes.
• Cultivate Self-Trust: Shift from the pressure of perfectionism to a practice of self-trust, allowing for confident navigation of uncertainty without needing to have “everything figured out”.

Decide with Conviction: leading with clarity in high-stakes environments

for student leaders

Student leaders and teams today—whether running a club, organizing a major event, or navigating career decisions—operate in a state of constant flux. We are consistently challenged by rapid organizational change, intense pressure, and situations where there is no clear path.

The traditional advice is often to simply “push through” or “analyze the data.” While well-intentioned, this approach frequently leads to:

• Burnout and leadership fatigue
• Overthinking until you’re stuck when there is too much information
• Reactive Decision-Making that puts out fires instead of building something real

Jen Aks introduces a different approach: the realization that the body possesses a somatic intelligence—an innate “bodyset”—capable of orienting you even when the strategic path is unclear.

Drawing on neuroscience and her signature methodology, The Power of Gesture®, Jen will demonstrate how to move from a state of reactivity to regulation. In this interactive session, you will learn to access your physiological intelligence to execute decisions grounded in conviction rather than stress.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will leave with a clear, actionable tools to:

• Trust their instincts and internal signals in unfamiliar terrain.
• Master the Reset: Learn The Power of Gesture®, a tangible physical practice to ground the nervous system anywhere—from a dorm room to a crowded library—whenever doubt or loneliness strikes.
• Cultivate Self-Trust: Shift from the pressure of perfectionism to a practice of self-trust, allowing for confident navigation of uncertainty without needing to have “everything figured out”.

After Jen’s keynote, students are empowered to stop fighting uncertainty and start leading with clarity. Discover the power of your inner authority to decide with conviction.