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NEWS
The pandemic is serving as a catalyst for wellness and wellbeing, Mia Kyricos tells StarrCast
POSTED 24 May 2021 . BY Megan Whitby
Kyricos was honoured for her contribution to the industry with the Leading Woman in Wellness award at the Global Wellness Summit in 2019

I started the podcast because so many of us in spa and wellness have taken different paths into their fulfilling jobs, and I’ve always found the stories fascinating
– Lisa Starr
Lisa Starr, principal of Wynne Business and 35-year spa and wellness industry veteran, has launched the StarrCast podcast, interviewing wellness professionals about their career path.

Industry figure and consultant Mia Kyricos was the latest guest, discussing her predictions for industry trends and how she sees significant growth potential in wellness communities, real-estate and wellness technology.

Kyricos serves on multiple corporate boards including as a founding board member of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) and Global Wellness Summit, and now focuses on strategic and brand advisory at her consulting firm Kyricos & Associates.

“Overall, I think we’ll see a deepening and broadening of each one of the GWI’s industry bubbles. Wellness isn’t slowing down anytime soon as COVID-19 is serving as a catalyst for the business of wellness and wellbeing," she said.

“People are also shifting their focus and the conversation we’ve tried to have about living and leading well at work and in our communities has been put on warp speed.

“The pandemic has reminded us of our mortality and, more than anything, the importance of our health. This has levelled the playing field globally and that’s exciting for all of us in the industry.”

Starr agreed and said consumers are now starting to truly comprehend and commit to wellness.

“At the end of the day we're definitely in the business of prevention and it’s ensuring our longevity for years to come,” added Kyricos.

“We have the power to help people live longer, happier and richer lives, and it’s a real privilege. We need more people to help carry this work forward and I’ve never been more bullish on the business of wellness and wellbeing than I am today.”

Kyricos is one of eight interviews from Season One of StarrCast, where individuals from six countries reflect on their career and industry experience (see list below).

Hailing from around the globe, the podcast’s interviewees are from widely different backgrounds, including everything from hospitality, F&B and fitness, to areas such as linguistics, the law, marketing, investment and acadaemia.

The goal of the podcast is to encourage those in established careers wanting to make a change, or young people thinking of their future, to consider a position in the wellness industry.

“I started the podcast because so many of us in spa and wellness have taken different paths into our fulfilling jobs, and I’ve always found the stories fascinating,” said Starr.

“There is so much opportunity to work in wellness, but career paths are undefined, often unpredictable, and even unplanned.”

StarrCast will cover the entire spectrum of the wellness industry, including spa and beauty, holistic and integrative health, nutrition, fitness, workplace wellness, wellness tourism and wellness communities.

Seasons two and three will be released in the next few weeks.

StarrCast season one line-up
RELATED STORIES
  FEATURE: Business analysis: Change management


Spa Business magazine takes a look at spas which are adapting and thriving since the pandemic struck
  FEATURE: Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020


This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
  Hall of Wellness Awards 2020 shortlist revealed, with nominations for Marc Cohen, Helena Grzesk and Andrew Jacka


The shortlist for the Hall of Wellness Awards (HOW Awards) has been announced, with 110 awards up for grabs, split into six categories – Middle East, Asia, Europe and UK, Oceania, Americas and Africa – plus an additional seven global prizes.
  COVID-19 is helping hoteliers recognise the value of spa revenue, says Emlyn Brown


Accor’s global VP of wellbeing, Emlyn Brown, believes COVID-19 has provided a platform for hotel spas in city locations to leverage the local market and become a crucial revenue driver.
MORE NEWS
Gran Hotel Taoro opens Sandára Wellness Centre
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Franchise expert Carrie Walsh joins Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as CEO
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans to expand.
HCM Invest opens applications for pitching slots
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch in London on 21 October 2026.
Synergy – The Retreat Show invites consumer and industry perspectives on retreats for research
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry perspectives.
+ More news   

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©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
The pandemic is serving as a catalyst for wellness and wellbeing, Mia Kyricos tells StarrCast
POSTED 24 May 2021 . BY Megan Whitby
Kyricos was honoured for her contribution to the industry with the Leading Woman in Wellness award at the Global Wellness Summit in 2019
I started the podcast because so many of us in spa and wellness have taken different paths into their fulfilling jobs, and I’ve always found the stories fascinating
– Lisa Starr
Lisa Starr, principal of Wynne Business and 35-year spa and wellness industry veteran, has launched the StarrCast podcast, interviewing wellness professionals about their career path.

Industry figure and consultant Mia Kyricos was the latest guest, discussing her predictions for industry trends and how she sees significant growth potential in wellness communities, real-estate and wellness technology.

Kyricos serves on multiple corporate boards including as a founding board member of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) and Global Wellness Summit, and now focuses on strategic and brand advisory at her consulting firm Kyricos & Associates.

“Overall, I think we’ll see a deepening and broadening of each one of the GWI’s industry bubbles. Wellness isn’t slowing down anytime soon as COVID-19 is serving as a catalyst for the business of wellness and wellbeing," she said.

“People are also shifting their focus and the conversation we’ve tried to have about living and leading well at work and in our communities has been put on warp speed.

“The pandemic has reminded us of our mortality and, more than anything, the importance of our health. This has levelled the playing field globally and that’s exciting for all of us in the industry.”

Starr agreed and said consumers are now starting to truly comprehend and commit to wellness.

“At the end of the day we're definitely in the business of prevention and it’s ensuring our longevity for years to come,” added Kyricos.

“We have the power to help people live longer, happier and richer lives, and it’s a real privilege. We need more people to help carry this work forward and I’ve never been more bullish on the business of wellness and wellbeing than I am today.”

Kyricos is one of eight interviews from Season One of StarrCast, where individuals from six countries reflect on their career and industry experience (see list below).

Hailing from around the globe, the podcast’s interviewees are from widely different backgrounds, including everything from hospitality, F&B and fitness, to areas such as linguistics, the law, marketing, investment and acadaemia.

The goal of the podcast is to encourage those in established careers wanting to make a change, or young people thinking of their future, to consider a position in the wellness industry.

“I started the podcast because so many of us in spa and wellness have taken different paths into our fulfilling jobs, and I’ve always found the stories fascinating,” said Starr.

“There is so much opportunity to work in wellness, but career paths are undefined, often unpredictable, and even unplanned.”

StarrCast will cover the entire spectrum of the wellness industry, including spa and beauty, holistic and integrative health, nutrition, fitness, workplace wellness, wellness tourism and wellness communities.

Seasons two and three will be released in the next few weeks.

StarrCast season one line-up
RELATED STORIES
FEATURE: Business analysis: Change management


Spa Business magazine takes a look at spas which are adapting and thriving since the pandemic struck
FEATURE: Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020


This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
Hall of Wellness Awards 2020 shortlist revealed, with nominations for Marc Cohen, Helena Grzesk and Andrew Jacka


The shortlist for the Hall of Wellness Awards (HOW Awards) has been announced, with 110 awards up for grabs, split into six categories – Middle East, Asia, Europe and UK, Oceania, Americas and Africa – plus an additional seven global prizes.
COVID-19 is helping hoteliers recognise the value of spa revenue, says Emlyn Brown


Accor’s global VP of wellbeing, Emlyn Brown, believes COVID-19 has provided a platform for hotel spas in city locations to leverage the local market and become a crucial revenue driver.
MORE NEWS
Gran Hotel Taoro opens Sandára Wellness Centre
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Franchise expert Carrie Walsh joins Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as CEO
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans to expand.
HCM Invest opens applications for pitching slots
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch in London on 21 October 2026.
Synergy – The Retreat Show invites consumer and industry perspectives on retreats for research
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry perspectives.
Turkey is crowned the best massage nation at world championship
Turkey came first at this year’s World Championship in Massage between 3-5 July in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Wellness Tourism Association publishes industry framework for ethical and responsible retreats
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]

Zerobody Cryo: Starpool's contrast therapy solution
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Wellness & Spa Solutions

Wellness & Spa Solutions, act as a strategic partner for luxury hotels, international resorts, and [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS