StarrCast

What if longevity was not about living longer, but about living with greater energy, resilience, and purpose?

In this episode of Starrcast Podcast, Lisa Starr speaks with Dr. George Gaitanos, Chief Operating and Scientific Officer of Chenot Group, about the science and philosophy behind the Chenot Method. Drawing on decades of experience in sports physiology, metabolism, and elite athletic performance, Dr. Gaitanos explains how health can be trained, restored, and strengthened through detoxification, recovery, and intentional lifestyle practices.

• Why health should be trained like a muscle, not treated only when disease appears

• How the Chenot Method combines Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine

• The science behind detoxification, calorie restriction, and metabolic recovery

• Why recovery—not performance—is the real foundation of longevity

• How controlled stress can activate the body's natural repair mechanisms

• 03:20 – Dr. Gaitanos' journey from Olympic athletes to longevity science

• 07:15 – Why wellness is more than massages or green juice

• 12:20 – The philosophy behind the Chenot Method and detoxification

• 18:10 – The five pillars of the Chenot wellness approach

• 25:00 – The science of fasting, metabolism, and cellular renewal

• 36:00 – How sleep, circadian rhythms, and environment influence longevity

• 45:10 – Why recovery is more important than performance

• 52:15 – Daily habits that support vitality and long-term health

George C. Gaitanos, PhD is Chief Operating and Scientific Officer of the Chenot Group and the successor of Henri Chenot. An expert in energy metabolism and recovery, he has more than 35 years of experience in human performance and optimal health. Dr. Gaitanos previously worked with elite athletes including NBA players and Olympic competitors and now leads the continued development of the Chenot Method within the global health and wellness sector.

• The Chenot Method

• Controlled detoxification and metabolic reset

• Fast-mimicking nutrition programs

• Hydrotherapy and thermal stress protocols

• Lifestyle biomarkers and vitality assessment

Health is not simply the absence of disease. It is something we actively build through daily habits, recovery, and resilience.

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What will the future of wellness look like in the next decade?

In this episode of StarrCast, Susie Ellis joins the conversation to unpack the Global Wellness Trends Report and explore the forces shaping the global wellness economy. From women's longevity medicine and neural wellness to the rise of longevity residences and the growing concern over microplastics, this discussion reveals where the wellness industry is heading and what it means for spa, hospitality, and health leaders.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of emerging wellness business trends, preventative health strategies, and how global shifts in longevity science, community wellness, and technology are influencing the next generation of wellness innovation.

• Why women-focused longevity research is becoming one of the most important developments in health and wellness

• How the over-optimization backlash is changing the way people interact with wearables, health tracking, and digital wellness tools

• What neural wellness and nervous system regulation mean for sleep health, stress recovery, and mental resilience

• How trends like fragrance layering and sensory wellness experiences are reshaping the spa and hospitality environment

• Why longevity residences and wellness real estate may become a major driver of preventative health and lifestyle design in the future

• 02:00 – How the Global Wellness Summit identifies and predicts emerging wellness

• Trends

• 05:00 – Why women are gaining their own lane in longevity science and preventative health

• 13:40 – The over-optimization backlash and the hidden stress of health tracking devices

• 23:15 – Neural wellness and why regulating the nervous system is becoming a major focus in wellness

• 29:30 – Fragrance layering and the rise of sensory identity in wellness environments

• 36:20 – Why disaster preparedness is becoming part of preventative wellness thinking

• 41:40 – Skin longevity and the shift away from traditional anti-aging narratives

• 48:40 – The festivalization of wellness and the rise of social wellness experiences

• 53:20 – The rapid growth of women's sports and its influence on wellness culture

• 59:00 – Microplastics and the growing concern around environmental health risks

• 1:03:15 – Longevity residences and the future of wellness real estate

Susie Ellis is the CEO and Chairman of the Global Wellness Summit and the Global Wellness Institute. She is one of the most influential voices in the global wellness economy and leads the development of the annual Future of Wellness Trends Report, a widely referenced outlook on emerging wellness innovations and industry shifts.

• Global Wellness Trends Report

• Global Wellness Economy research and sector analysis

• Neural wellness and nervous system regulation practices

• Longevity medicine and female-focused health research

• Longevity residences and wellness real estate development

• Microplastics Watch initiative

The wellness industry is evolving rapidly as longevity science, preventative medicine, and lifestyle design converge. From community-driven wellness experiences to diagnostics integrated into living spaces, the future of health will increasingly focus on helping people live longer, healthier lives.

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What if the most important predictor of how well you age is not your bloodwork, but your skeletal muscle mass?

In this episode of StarrCast, Lisa Starr sits down with Alexia Brue, Founder and CEO of The Practice, to explore the rise of healthspan based fitness and why strength training may be the most powerful intervention for long term vitality.

In this conversation Alexia shares how her journey from co-founding Well+Good to launching The Practice led her to build Greenwich's first personal training studio centered on healthspan, VO2 max, body composition, and measurable fitness biomarkers. Together, they unpack how wellness is evolving from lifestyle aspiration to outcomes driven performance and why proactive strength training is essential for aging well.

• Why healthspan, not just lifespan, should guide your fitness strategy

• How skeletal muscle mass impacts insulin sensitivity, bone density, brain health, and metabolic resilience

• What VO2 max and zone training reveal about cardiovascular longevity

• How undulating periodization improves strength gains and long term muscle development

• Why reassessment and fitness biomarker tracking are the next evolution of personal training

• 03:18 – How global bathhouse research shaped Alexia's entry into the wellness industry

• 10:42 – The rise of Well+Good and how digital media legitimized wellness as a business category

• 18:27 – What healthspan really means and how to "square the curve" of aging

• 26:55 – Why most midlife women are under muscled and what that means for long term vitality

• 33:40 – Inside The Practice: one method, five systems, and outcomes driven training

• 41:12 – VO2 max, zone 2 cardio, and the Norwegian 4x4 protocol explained

• 47:06 – Why reassessment and accountability redefine modern personal training

Alexia Brue is the Founder and CEO of The Practice, a personal training studio built around healthspan and measurable fitness outcomes. She is also the co-founder and former CEO of Well+Good, one of the first major digital media platforms dedicated to the business of wellness.

• Healthspan based training model

• One Method, Five Systems framework

• Undulating periodization

• VO2 max testing and anaerobic power assessment

• Zone 2 steady state cardio and Zone 4 and 5 metabolic training

• Norwegian 4x4 cardiovascular protocol

• Healthspan reporting and reassessment every 24 sessions

As Alexia explains, "Building skeletal muscle mass is upstream of almost everything." When we focus on strength, capability, and measurable fitness biomarkers, we are not chasing optimization for its own sake. We are investing in vibrant years, independence, and resilience.

If you care about aging well and living fully into your 80s and 90s, this episode offers a practical roadmap grounded in science and experience.

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What does it take to build a profitable hydrotherapy spa brand in three different markets and scale it to $10 million in annual revenue?

In this episode, Harmony Oschefski and Cedar Hwang share how the bodhi spa grew from a bold idea sparked in Maui to a multi location wellness company rooted in contrast therapy, operational discipline, and community driven growth.

We explore how sauna culture, cold plunge therapy, and a thoughtfully designed water journey can become the foundation of a scalable spa business model. This conversation goes beyond wellness trends and dives into infrastructure, financing, Department of Health compliance, maintenance systems, staffing strategy, and brand positioning in a rapidly growing wellness economy.

• How to design a hydrotherapy spa business model that balances water journey revenue with massage and facial services

• Why contrast therapy and cold plunge trends are only sustainable when supported by serious infrastructure and maintenance systems

• What it takes to secure SBA financing for a first time concept and how to successfully appeal a denial

• How to scale from one spa location to three while maintaining brand consistency and operational excellence

• Why weekly pool draining, state of the art filtration systems, and a dedicated maintenance manager protect long term profitability

• 03:12 – Growing up with sauna culture and cold plunges in Nova Scotia

• 11:48 – The Maui moment that sparked the bodhi spa business idea

• 18:27 – Getting denied for SBA financing and how they successfully appealed

• 26:04 – What a hydrotherapy water journey includes and why contrast therapy works

• 34:15 – Rebuilding the entire operating model during COVID to satisfy Department of Health requirements

• 41:22 – Scaling to Providence and Norwood and what changes with each new market

• 47:36 – Why weekly pool draining and a full time maintenance manager are non negotiable

• 53:18 – Reaching $10 million in revenue and building infrastructure for long term brand sustainability

Harmony Oschefski is Co Owner and Managing Partner of the bodhi spa. With a background in life sciences and functional health, she brings a complementary wellness perspective to spa development and operational strategy.

Cedar Hwang is Co Owner and Managing Partner of the bodhi spa and a former 12 meter yacht captain. Her leadership experience and operational discipline inform the systems, staffing, and execution behind the brand's growth.

Together, they have built three bodhi spa locations across New England and employ nearly 100 team members.

• The bodhi spa Water Journey hydrotherapy circuit

• Contrast therapy using sauna and cold plunge sequencing

• SBA financing and structured loan appeal strategy

• Dedicated maintenance management with weekly full system resets

• Infrastructure first scaling model with General Managers at each location

• State of the art filtration, HVAC, and pool monitoring systems

• Gender inclusive design and dual temperature cold plunge strategy

The bodhi spa's growth story shows that the wellness industry rewards both inspiration and precision. Sauna culture and cold plunge therapy may attract attention, but long term success depends on disciplined maintenance, regulatory compliance, staff training, and operational infrastructure.

As Harmony shares in the episode, the goal was never just to open a spa. It was to build a company that could stand on its own.

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What does it take to turn a life-threatening diagnosis into a global wellness movement?

In this powerful episode, Ingo Schweder shares how surviving stage four cancer shaped his vision for wellness, hospitality, longevity, and community-driven health. From launching the Mandarin Oriental Spa Division to building GOCO Hospitality and the Fivelements brand, this conversation explores why wellness is not a trend, but the foundation of the future hospitality economy.

• How a stage four cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for a global wellness hospitality career

• Why wellness is not a department, but a philosophy and a lifestyle

• What it takes to build and scale a global spa and wellness division from scratch

• The business case for wellness hospitality during crises like 9 11 and the pandemic

• Why longevity clinics, precision medicine, and community based wellness real estate are shaping the next chapter of the industry

• 03:15 – From journalist to hotelier to cancer survivor: the turning point that changed everything

• 11:40 – Creating a personal healing protocol using yoga, macrobiotic nutrition, meditation, and alternative medicine

• 19:55 – Launching the Mandarin Oriental Spa Division when no global spa model existed

• 29:10 – Founding GOCO Hospitality and identifying wellness as a standalone business segment

• 38:45 – Turning around Glen Ivy and why ownership changed the game

• 47:20 – The rise of Fivelements and the future of branded destination wellness resorts

• 54:30 – Why longevity, precision medicine, and biohacking are the next evolution of wellness

Ingo Schweder is Founder and CEO of GOCO Hospitality and Managing Director of Horwath HTL Health & Wellness. With projects across five continents and more than 400 developments worldwide, he is widely recognized as a pioneer in wellness hospitality, destination spa development, and wellness real estate.

• Mandarin Oriental global spa division development

• GOCO Hospitality five pillar model: feasibility, concept and brand development, design and technical services, pre opening and training, and ongoing management

• Fivelements branded destination wellness resorts

• Wellness real estate and community driven development

• Longevity clinics and precision medicine integration within hospitality

"The world does not need more five star hotels. It needs five star human experiences."

This episode is a reminder that wellness hospitality is not about amenities. It is about creating environments that improve health, extend vitality, and contribute meaningfully to society.

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Why does everyone suddenly want to open a bathhouse, and why is design the make or break factor?

In this episode of StarrCast, we unpack the real drivers behind the bathhouse and social wellness boom and explore what it actually takes to design a space that is viable, code compliant, and built to last.

Host Lisa Starr sits down with three global experts to break down bathhouse design from the inside out, covering infrastructure, flow, hygiene, materials, mechanical systems, and guest experience. This conversation is essential listening for anyone exploring social wellness, hydrothermal spaces, or large scale spa development.

• Why bathhouses and social wellness clubs are resurging in North America and globally

• The biggest design and infrastructure mistakes new bathhouse owners make

• How water, ventilation, mechanical systems, and waterproofing drive cost and feasibility

• What "flow" really means in bathhouse design and how it impacts revenue and safety

• How hygiene, maintenance, and guest perception influence long term success

• 03:14 – Why bathhouses are booming and what is actually driving demand

• 09:42 – Social wellness clubs vs traditional spas and why the distinction matters

• 16:30 – When to talk about budget and why early education is critical

• 24:18 – Water, drainage, ventilation, and mechanical systems you cannot ignore

• 34:06 – Hygiene, health codes, and how guests judge cleanliness instantly

• 44:21 – Designing for flow, capacity, and the full guest journey

• 53:10 – Quiet vs social spaces and how design shapes behavior

Ali McQuaid Founder and Creative Director of Future Studio, a Toronto based interior design firm focused on forward thinking spaces that respond to evolving lifestyles and wellness needs.

Alberto Carrillo Senior Associate at Meridian Design in New York City, specializing in architectural planning, code compliance, and complex wellness environments.

Don Genders Founder and CEO of Design for Leisure, a global leader in designing award winning hydrothermal spa and social wellness environments.

• Social wellness club design models

• Hydrothermal and bathing infrastructure planning

• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing coordination for wet environments

• Capacity and egress analysis for bathhouse safety

• Long term maintenance and hygiene planning

"Design the purpose, not the code." This episode makes one thing clear. Successful bathhouses are not built on aesthetics alone. They are built on deep technical planning, realistic budgets, and a clear understanding of how people move, gather, and care for shared wellness spaces.

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Connect with: Ali McQuaid: linkedin.com/in/ali-mcquaid-67b24316 Alberto Carrillo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertocarrillod/ Don Genders: linkedin.com/in/don-genders-7a97716

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What does it really take to build trust-driven hospitality and wellness brands in a rapidly evolving global market?

In this episode, we sit down with Ari Peralta to explore how cultural intelligence, human-centered leadership, and experiential design are shaping the future of wellness, hospitality, and guest experience. Listeners will gain insight into how values, people, and long-term vision drive sustainable growth in a competitive industry.

• How cultural awareness influences leadership and decision-making in global hospitality and wellness organizations

• Why human-centered design matters more than ever in guest experience and brand loyalty

• The role of purpose, empathy, and trust in building resilient teams and lasting businesses

• How experiential wellness is evolving to meet changing guest expectations

• Practical insights on aligning operations, culture, and vision for long term impact

• 03:45 – Why culture is the foundation of meaningful hospitality experiences

• 11:20 – How global perspective shapes leadership and team alignment

• 19:08 – The connection between wellness, trust, and guest loyalty

• 28:34 – Designing experiences that feel authentic and human

• 38:15 – What modern hospitality leaders need to understand about purpose and people

• 49:22 – Lessons learned from building and scaling wellness-focused organizations

• 58:40 – Final reflections on the future of hospitality and experiential wellness

Ari Peralta is a hospitality and wellness leader known for integrating cultural intelligence, people-first leadership, and experiential design to create meaningful guest experiences and strong organizational cultures.

• Human-centered leadership models

• Cultural intelligence in global operations

• Experiential wellness design principles

• Trust based organizational culture frameworks

Great hospitality is never just about places or products. It is about people, purpose, and the experiences that stay with us long after we leave.

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Website: https://www.arigami.co.uk/whoweare

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What happens when leading wellness journalists hear the Global Wellness Trends revealed live and react in real time?

In this episode of StarrCast, we bring you on-the-ground interviews with media voices covering the 2026 Global Wellness Trends and unpack what these shifts mean for wellness, hospitality, beauty, and longevity.

Recorded in New York during the official trend unveiling, this episode captures how editors and analysts interpret the trends, where they see momentum building, and how these insights will shape coverage, consumer behavior, and industry strategy over the coming year.

• How wellness journalists are interpreting the Global Wellness Summit trend release

• Which longevity, beauty, and health trends the media believes will gain real traction

• Why women's health and longevity are becoming unavoidable storylines

• How social wellness and festival style experiences are resonating with audiences

• What media leaders see as gaps between trend forecasting and real world adoption

• 03:18 – Media reactions to the Global Wellness Summit trend release

• 08:42 – Why journalists see women led longevity as a defining storyline

• 15:07 – Skin longevity and how beauty media is reframing aging

• 21:55 – Strength training, sports, and the evolving narrative around women's health

• 29:34 – Microplastics and why media attention is accelerating concern

• 36:18 – Festivalization of wellness and what audiences are craving now

• 43:06 – Longevity residences through the lens of media and consumer trust

Claire McCormack Senior Editor at The Beauty Independent, covering beauty, wellness, and longevity innovation with a focus on science-backed consumer trends.

Darlene Fiske Founder and CEO of The Fiske Group, advising wellness, spa, and hospitality brands on media strategy, positioning, and industry visibility.

Sara Jones Founder, Editor, and Publisher of Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe, reporting on wellness, hospitality, and longevity trends across Mexico and Latin America.

Jane Kitchen Media Trends Analyst at the Global Wellness Institute and author of the longevity residences trend, specializing in wellness real estate and long-term health infrastructure.

• Global Wellness Summit Future Trends methodology

• Media driven trend validation and storytelling frameworks

• Skin longevity science and reporting lenses

• Social wellness and experiential health programming models

Trends shape industries, but media shapes belief. Hearing how journalists interpret these ideas offers a rare look at how wellness narratives move from forecasts to headlines and into culture.

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Visit Global Wellness Summit Trends 2026: https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/2026trends/

Connect With the Guests:

Claire McCormack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairemccormackmba/

Darlene Fiske: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlenefiske

Sara Jones: https://mx.linkedin.com/in/sarajonesspawell

Jane Kitchen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kitchenjane/

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What does it really take to design wellness experiences that change how people live, not just how they relax?

In this episode of StarrCast, Lisa Starr sits down with Celine Vadam to explore how wellness tourism, longevity, and lifestyle design intersect in ways that shape healthier, more meaningful lives. The conversation looks at why authenticity, science, and cultural context matter more than trends when creating wellness destinations that truly work.

Listeners will gain insight into how wellness strategies are built, how longevity can be approached without becoming overly medical, and how hotels, resorts, and communities can create experiences that support long term health and human connection.

• Why wellness tourism has shifted from luxury amenities to lifestyle driven experiences

• How longevity is evolving into a focus on health span, not just life span

• What makes wellness concepts fail when they rely on copy and paste strategies

• How Blue Zones principles can be translated into real world retreats and daily life

• Where wellness technology adds value and where it becomes a distraction

• 03:18 – How Celine's early exposure to different cultures shaped her view of wellness

• 08:42 – Why hotels can act as micro communities with lasting impact

• 14:25 – What wellness tourism gets wrong when it copies trends without context

• 20:10 – Understanding longevity through lifestyle, not just medical protocols

• 27:34 – How Blue Zones retreats help people recreate healthier lives at home

• 34:50 – Where wellness technology fits and how to avoid gimmicks

• 41:12 – Why slowing down, social connection, and purpose still matter most

Celine Vadam, CEO of WE(i) Think Wellness Tourism. and a global wellness strategist with a background in hospitality development, sustainability, and lifestyle coaching. She has worked with leading hotel brands, wellness destinations, and Blue Zones programs to design wellness experiences rooted in culture, science, and human behavior.

• Blue Zones lifestyle principles

• Wellness tourism development models

• Longevity and health span frameworks

• Wellness technology integration in hospitality

• Purpose driven retreat design

"Wellness works best when it fits naturally into how people live, eat, move, and connect."

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What does it really take to scale a purpose driven wellness manufacturing business in a global market?

In this episode of StarrCast, we go inside Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite to explore how innovation, culture, and strategic acquisitions are shaping the future of wellness equipment and why these industry leaders are actively looking to acquire aligned businesses as they grow.

What You'll Learn:

• How Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite built a defensible innovation strategy through design, engineering, and intellectual property

• Why a growth mindset after the 2008 financial crisis reshaped their product mix and long term vision

• What today's demand for low touch and touchless wellness technology means for spas, clinics, and recovery spaces

• How global expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific is changing how wellness equipment is manufactured and delivered

• What the company looks for when evaluating potential acquisitions and strategic partners in the wellness space

Episode Highlights:

• 03:10 – Why wellness equipment is the foundation of every spa and clinical experience

• 09:45 – Jim Chenevey's journey from professional sports to wellness manufacturing leadership

• 18:30 – How patents and IP created a competitive moat in a crowded market

• 26:40 – Entering medical, clinical, and pedicure categories to fuel sustainable growth

• 34:15 – Rod Derifield on balancing heart and discipline in wellness businesses

• 41:50 – Technology, touchless solutions, and the future of therapist free experiences

• 47:20 – Global expansion strategy and why Europe and Asia Pacific matter now

• 51:30 – What they are looking for as they actively pursue acquisitions

Meet the Guests:

Jim Chenevey is Chairman and Chief Innovation Officer of Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite, where he has helped lead more than 50 years of wellness equipment innovation and over one million treatment tables shipped worldwide.

Rod Derifield is CEO and President of Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite, bringing deep experience in scaling global businesses and guiding the company through its next phase of growth and acquisitions.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• Long term intellectual property and patent strategy

• Touchless and low touch wellness equipment models

• MindSync vibroacoustic and sensory reset technology

• Global manufacturing and regional assembly approach

• Culture first acquisition framework

Closing Insight:

As wellness continues to expand into longevity, recovery, and everyday living, the companies shaping its infrastructure matter more than ever. If you are building, innovating, or considering an exit in the wellness equipment or technology space, this conversation offers a clear view of where the industry is headed.

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Connect with LEC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-earth-crafts/

Website: https://www.livingearthcrafts.com/

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