Flow Fest Reimagines Wellness in Urban Bangladesh

This past weekend, The Flow Fest convened an invite-only gathering of Bangladesh's most consequential voices: founders, policy shapers, clinicians, cultural leaders, and wellness influencers, for two days of honest, unfiltered conversation about the future of this country, powered by Apex Footwear.

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The room held the questions Dhaka has been avoiding out loud: why are our young people unravelling, who is addressing the needs of women’s health, what is workplace culture actually costing us, and what does it take to build community in a city that has forgotten how to sit together.

The Wellness for All Ages panel on Friday brought together the founders building Bangladesh's wellness infrastructure from the ground up. Jamil Rahman of PCA Home spoke about healthcare services for elderly people, including those suffering from dementia. Ashraf Romel of Overseas Medicare spoke about supporting people who need to travel abroad for healthcare with affordable options. Mahira Habib of Alight in Zen spoke of the lack of certified therapists in Dhaka and the stigma against seeking help. Nigharin Aresfin of Let's Play talked about the need for certified educators at the pre-school education level to raise resilient children, and Dr Ahmed Armaan Siddiqui, CEO of Shukhee, spoke about the massive reach of digital healthcare services in Bangladesh.

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"One in four people in this country will face a mental health challenge in their lifetime, and the vast majority will face it without access, without language, without support," said Dr Ahmed Armaan Siddiqui, CEO of Shukhee. "We are building the infrastructure to bring affordable counselling to your fingertips. Sitting in this room with leaders who understand the urgency of the work, that is what gives me hope."

The panel on Her Body, Her Health featured women leaders speaking about the lack of cultural encouragement for self-care. Panellists spoke about the need for safe spaces to share experiences such as trauma and sexual abuse. Munjarin Aboni, wellness influencer, spoke about women’s need for family support to make time for the gym. Farzana Lyzu of Incepta spoke about the HPV vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer and the need to raise awareness around preventative measures such as vaccines. Fatema Rizvi, Executive Director of PEB Steel, spoke about the need for post-partum care and childcare support for working mothers.

Saturday's Partners Panel brought together leaders from across Bangladesh's wellness and business ecosystem. Tanveer A. Chowdhury, Director of ECG, joined fellow partners in conversation about the role that institutions and industries can play in building a healthier, more connected Bangladesh.

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A panel on From Burnout to Balance featured counsellors and doctors discussing work-life culture and ways to introduce healthier lifestyles into the picture. Everything from nutrition to mental health and social attitudes was discussed. Salman Khan, Product Manager at Apex Footwear, shared some hopeful figures about the growing sales of sports footwear for women. Dr Azharul Islam Khan, Director of Medical Services at United Healthcare, spoke about the need for screening and early detection to prevent debilitating diseases.

Marlin Ahmed, Founder of Shono, said, "For a long time, wellbeing was treated as a private matter, something employees figured out on their own time. That thinking is finished. The companies that will define the next decade in Bangladesh are the ones that understand that how their people feel is not separate from how their business performs, it is the foundation of it."

The Community Building panel brought together founders, filmmakers, and community organisers. Abrar Athar, filmmaker, spoke about the need to diversify the communities we spend time with and to build micro-communities for ourselves so we can express various aspects of our personalities and feel like we belong. Farhan Rahman, start-up guru, spoke about the loneliness of the founder’s journey and how critical it is to be part of a community that supports one’s growth. Shayaan Seraj of Elite Steel spoke about the expanding acceptance of activities such as yoga in public spaces and parks.

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"I have spent twenty years teaching people how to move, stretch, and breathe in a country that doesn't slow down," said Shazia Omar, Founder of The Flow Fest. "What I have learned is that healing does not happen in isolation, and it does not happen by accident. It happens when the people who can change things decide to sit in one room and tell the truth to each other. That is what this weekend was. The Flow Fest is not just festivals and yoga classes — it is the bridge between the people building the Bangladesh we want, and we are only just beginning."

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Wellness Festival 2026 at GC was proudly supported by a remarkable line-up of wellness and lifestyle partners. Powered by Apex, the festival offered premium comfort and grounded support for every step. United Health Care and Medix served as Healthcare Partners, providing expert care and holistic wellness support. Incepta Pharma offered special cervical cancer vaccination discounts for women, while Shukhee and EC Organic provided exclusive discounts to participants. Mark’s, the Nutrition Partner, conducted bone density tests, blood sugar screenings, and brought in a professional nutritionist to educate participants on the importance of nutrition. Lifestraw by OMC served as the Hydration Partner, ensuring clean and safe drinking water, while Seylon, the Tea Partner, and Ama Coffee, the Beverage Partner, offered premium, soothing beverages that enhanced the festival’s vibrant and mindful atmosphere.

This is how a country starts changing direction — not in headlines, but in rooms like this