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.
What You’ll Learn:
- 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
Episode Highlights:
- 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
Meet the Guest:
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.
Tools, Frameworks, and Concepts Mentioned
- 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
Closing Insight:
“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.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?
Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting
Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education
Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses
Other Links:
Connect with Ingo: linkedin.com/in/ingoschweder
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