In this episode of The StarrCast Podcast, Lisa Starr speaks with James Gu, Director of Spa and Wellness for Equinox, and Greg Kasparian, founder of The Creek Retreat in Serenbe, Georgia. The episode, recorded live at the We Work Well spa event at Chateau Elan, offers a dual perspective on the future of wellness.
James discusses how Equinox is evolving its spa offerings across over 90 properties with a focus on performance, biohacking, and accessibility. Greg shares his journey from the supplier side of the industry to launching a cutting-edge wellness facility based on intention, technology, and personal reinvention.
This episode reveals how two leaders are shaping wellness spaces that respond to modern health demands, staffing limitations, and shifting consumer expectations.
Why It Matters: As wellness merges with fitness and personal optimization, both guests demonstrate how vision, adaptability, and innovation are crucial to staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Key Takeaways:
- The future of spa is rooted in performance, personalization, and technology-driven recovery.
- Equinox is shifting from one-size-fits-all spa models to specialized tiers and touchless modalities.
- The Creek Retreat embodies a deeply personal reinvention of wellness care, offering hyperbaric therapy, red light, cryotherapy, and pain-relieving SoftWave technology.
- Biohacking, longevity, and stress regulation are top wellness trends guiding design and service innovation.
- “Rewirement” is the new retirement: wellness entrepreneurship as a second act.
Other Topics:
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Red light therapy
- Wellness retreats
- Biohacking
- Vibroacoustics
- Recovery labs
- Touchless therapy
- Healthspan
