What began as a small grassroots gathering in 2019 has grown into an international event focused on medical freedom, parental rights, and questioning government health policy.
The 2025 edition of the Freedom Summit, set for Oct. 11 in Alexandria, will feature more than a dozen speakers, with Alpha News livestreaming the event.
This year’s lineup includes over a dozen speakers, including Marla Maples, former wife of President Donald Trump and co-founder of the Global Wellness Forum, Dr. Scott Jensen, a former and current Minnesota gubernatorial candidate, and JP Sears, a well-known comedian, author, and YouTuber.
Founder Dr. Jerod Ochsendorf describes the annual summit as “a mission to help Americans live a life of freedom,” appealing to families and viewers who feel wary of conventional narratives surrounding public health.
Focus on ‘generational health’
This year’s summit carries the theme “Big Pharma’s Worst Nightmare,” emphasizing what organizers call a movement toward “generational health” — a concept focused on breaking free from dependency, chronic illness, and burnout.
According to the event website, the goal is to “reclaim your energy, your legacy, and your family’s future with a health-first lifestyle built to last generations.”
The site adds: “The American Dream was never about feeling sick and tired. It’s time to create generational health and start living the new American Dream.”
From local gathering to international reach
Ochsendorf and his wife, Angie, launched the first event in 2019 in Alexandria to educate mothers and young families about what they viewed as potential risks associated with vaccination. With only three speakers that first year, Ochsendorf says the room filled quickly with young parents eager for what was then a niche conversation.
One of those original speakers now leads MAHA Action and Alliance, while another local Minnesota physician spoke in defense of parental rights to choose medical paths for their families, Ochsendorf said.
“Little did we know God was preparing this event to be a beacon and a lighthouse over the next several years,” Ochsendorf said.
Reaching audiences worldwide
Since its inception, the event has expanded rapidly, with livestream viewers tuning in from more than 20 countries, Ochsendorf said.
Over the years, the summit has hosted dozens of speakers — including lawyers, media personalities, filmmakers, policymakers, pastors, and physicians — who share a common passion for health freedom.
The summit will take place on Oct. 11 in Alexandria at the Lake Geneva Christian Center.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
