Six Senses Wellness pioneer Anna Bjurstam joins Alexia Brue for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving relationship between wellness and longevity—and why these two frameworks must converge for both to remain meaningful. Drawing on decades of experience across hospitality, spa, and integrative health, Anna shares a global lens on everything from Blue Zones and wearables to the spiritual dimensions of aging well. She also addresses the growing risk of “longevity washing,” and how practitioners can maintain integrity in a rapidly commercializing sector.
This episode also features GWI's Beth McGroarty, who highlights the explosive growth of longevity clinics and destination resorts worldwide, and offers a critical look at the biohacking industry’s rush to rebrand itself as “longevity.”
Expanded Talking Points:
- Wellness vs. longevity: What’s the difference—and why does it matter?
- How the spa and hospitality industries are adopting diagnostics, neurotech, and longevity labs
- Why purpose, joy, and spiritual health must sit alongside biomarkers and senolytics
- Anna’s wearable strategy: seasonally intentional tech use + embodied self-awareness
- Beth McGroarty: Global boom in longevity clinics, how legacy wellness brands are expanding into medicalized models, and the red flags of longevity-branded recovery therapies
- The need for regulatory clarity around treatments like IV drips, cryo, and hyperbaric chambers
Resources:
- Global Wellness Institute (GWI)
- Anna Bjurstam Bio & Projects
- Mentioned book: Lifespan by David Sinclair
Hosted by: Alexia Brue, co-founder of Well+Good; founder of a new healthspan training studio, The Practice; member of the Global Wellness Institute Board of Advisors
To learn more about the GWI please visit us at global wellness institute.org, connect with us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Produced by: Emily Roberts and Ali Alquiza of Over Lunch
Music provided by: Myndstream
Thank you to our sponsor, Fountain Life, for supporting the GWI Podcast. Head to FountainLife.com to learn more.
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