over the past decade, how has the general public’s understanding of “wellness” fundamentally changed? where do you observe the most pronounced departure from how people viewed it in the mid-2010s?

There are a few factors to consider here. The first is that people have far more access to information these days and can research what they want to focus on, whether it is for their well-being or for personal health issues. Technology has advanced in that space. People are trying different options and are more aware of different types of exercise for different ailments, as well as different types of diets for different conditions. People overall want to have a sense of well-being anyway, as it is the general trend. The second factor to consider is the impact of COVID. We had COVID for about three years altogether, and during that time, people not only became health-conscious but also had time to research or post recipes, remedies, or workouts. The latter contributed to the general knowledge of the population and increased their general well-being. The third factor to consider is income. Lots of people do not have an income that will allow them to buy their own house, let alone expensive cars, expensive jewellery or watches. As a result, they focus on a lifestyle balance, which is more commonly seen in young people. Young people tend to focus on their well-being and their work-life balance rather than having a consumer approach to life and wanting external signs of wealth. They focus on their own well-being and work to a point that will not affect their stress levels and their mental health. There has been a huge paradigm shift in the mentality of the population, especially in the 20 to 40-year-old population.

 if you had to distil what “being well” means to most people today, how would you describe it in a single sentence — and how does that differ from what it would have been ten years ago?

Being well today, of course, means the absence of disease, whether it is mental or physical. However, being well, in a general sense, also seems to mean having a supportive community where one can receive physical and mental support throughout one’s life. 10 years ago, well-being was more based on general success with a financial and social component rather than the current health, fitness, and community trend.

at what point did wellness stop being a collection of separate practices and start being treated as an integrated, functional treatment and way of life? what were the main catalysts behind that shift?

 The paradigm shift in wellness has not yet taken place. The concepts of integrative and functional medicine have not yet been fully embraced by traditional medicine. The concepts of treating the cause and wholeness do not fit the Cartesian model of the general human belief. We are conditioned to think in a linear fashion of cause and effect. Lateral and integrative thinking will depend on the evolution of the education system. We will also need a resurrection of spirituality to ensure the shift is complete. Meditation is an example of an upcoming trend toward spirituality.

what are the  most significant priorities you now observe in people when they seek out wellness experiences?

The most significant issues that we observe in practice these days are often related to gut health ( IBS ), mental health, and hormonal imbalances. These issues seem to be highly related to the poor nutritional content of food (especially processed food ) combined with stressful lifestyles and social pressures. Social media has helped inform people about general wellness and lifestyle, but is also responsible for social pressure and expectations, which fuel cortisol levels and can potentially cause mental health issues. Lowering cortisol, thus managing stress is by far the priority people seek for wellness as low stress levels helps both gut and mental health.

one of the biggest paradoxes today is that people are more informed about health and wellness than ever, yet many report feeling more overwhelmed, disconnected, or even sceptical. why do you think this gap exists, and what are people craving beneath all the information and options?

One of the main issues we encounter is that the information available is often anecdotal or tied to personal experience. Most of the time, the information cannot be applied to the public, as wellness needs to be tailored to the individual. I can understand how people would be frustrated, overwhelmed, or dismiss information as fake news. Dabbling randomly in different wellness experiences without a tailored plan or a specific target may lead to failure and an inability to manage potential outcomes and control, which is what people seek.

looking back at the past ten years of trends, which have proven to be trends, and which have quietly become non-negotiable foundations of modern wellness? where do you personally draw the boundary between genuine innovation and marketing hype?

It is difficult to label wellness experiences as trends. What works for one may not work for another. Usually unfounded wellness tips that yield little or no results do not survive and are easily forgotten. Personally, genuine information has a solid physiological basis associated with common sense. The way or the art in which it is applied will distinguish between innovation and marketing.

in high-pressure asian financial hubs, how has the conversation around work, stress, and well-being evolved among professionals over the last decade? what has changed in their expectations and boundaries?

We have seen in society an increase in anxiety and a sense of being overwhelmed. Yes, this is associated with stress and expectations, largely because technology enables individuals to always BE ON. Singapore and Hong Kong are very fast-paced cities, increasing the need for quick actions and responses, which in turn heightens stress and anxiety. Again, when combined with social media and demands, it adds to the overall pressure. Some individuals are better than others at setting boundaries, and I have observed over the years that the younger population sets boundaries from the start, whereas the older generations have been brought up with different work ethics, which leads to conflict and frustration in the workforce.

gazing into the future, what do you believe will be the single biggest emerging need and what early signals are you already noticing today?

Tailored medicine is what the population will be looking for in the future. Combining genetic and metabolic testing with AI will accelerate the ability to prevent disease and enhance detoxification pathways. We are now looking not only at drugs, supplements, ice baths, or hydration support, but also focusing on the development of tailored gero protectors that will accelerate organ function and significantly reduce aging.

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