Tammy Pahel of Carillon Miami Wellness Resort On The 5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In The Health and Wellness Industry
An Interview With Luke Kervin
Everyone wants to live healthier longer. If we don’t focus on our health, we may live longer, but with an unhealthy life, which may not allow us to enjoy things to the fullest.
The global health and wellness market is worth more than 1.5 trillion dollars. So many people are looking to improve their physical, mental, and emotional wellness. At the same time, so many people are needed to help provide these services. What does it take to create a highly successful career in the health and wellness industry?
In this interview series called “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In The Health and Wellness Industry” we are talking to health and wellness professionals who can share insights and stories from their experiences.
In this particular interview, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Tammy Pahel.
Tammy Pahel is a transformative and strategic Spa, Wellness, Fitness and Retail Executive with 30 years of leadership experience. She has a demonstrated history of shaping high performing cultures for several luxury and global wellness brands. Since 2018, Pahel has acted as Vice President of Spa & Wellness Operations at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort and had an active involvement in the resort’s strategic planning process, with full responsibility of all spa, health & wellness center, and fitness operations, including membership budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, fitness, salon, talent acquisition, learning and development, organizational design and employee engagement.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you grew up?
I was raised in a family business, as my parents both became entrepreneurs at 30 years old. Growing up, I had a wide variety of jobs from being a waitress, lifeguard, trail guide, cook, grass cutter, and more. I joined the spa industry in 1989, and worked at Nemacolin Woodlands in Pennsylvania for 8.5 years.
Was there a particular person or event that inspired you to live a wellness-focused lifestyle?
Not particularly. When I joined the hospitality and spa industry in 1989, there was no such thing as “wellness.” Overtime, I’ve watched the spa industry evolve from spa to both spa and wellness.
Can you tell us about your main motivation to go all in?
We all know that life is too short, and I want to be as healthy and well as I can to live an active life. I am incredibly motivated by our work at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort and want the property to be a part of the global wellness solution by bringing together leading wellness experts who are well versed in customized medical wellness, wellness technology, and more to help people better their health and well-being.
Most people with a wellbeing centered lifestyle have a “go-to” activity, exercise, beverage, or food that is part of their routine. What is yours and can you tell us how it helps you?
I love spinning. Prior to the pandemic I was attending spin classes three times per week and private Pilates classes twice per week. However, when the pandemic hit, I decided to purchase a Peloton bike so I could continue to work out without the hassle of limited spots.
To live a wellness-focused life is one thing, but how did it become your career? How did it all start?
In 1989, my manager suggested that I should pursue spa operations. I joined Nemacolin Woodlands as Executive Spa Director, and throughout the years worked at Turnberry Isle Resort & Spa, Caesars Palace, St Andrews Country Club Spa & Fitness. I’m also the founder of Spa Management Solutions, Inc., a consulting and advisory firm. Recent consultancy projects include Henderson Resort & Spa (August 2017-May 2018), Deer Lake Lodge & Spa (April 2012-Nov 2013), and Cinzia Spa North Beach (September 2006-April 2012).
Currently, I’m the President of Education for Southeast Spa Wellness Association, a Global Wellness Summit Ambassador, and a member of Florida Spa Association and International Spa Association. I have acted as an ISPA Board Member (2000–2004), an ISPA Committee member (1997–1999, 2005–2011), and attended and participated in ISPA Media Events (1999–2011, 2017, 2018, 2019).
Can you share a story about the biggest challenges you faced when you were first starting?
Shortly after I graduated from Penn State with a business degree and minor in marketing, I joined Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa as Spa Director. Within my first few weeks, I was handed a blank piece of paper and told to do a budget and proforma. I had no idea where to even start!
How did you resolve that?
I called one of my favorite professors from Penn State, Mr. Snyder, and begged for help. He helped me stay calm and reviewed the budget process he had taught me in class. With confidence, I then completed the spa budget, and the General Manager and Owners were incredibly happy.
What are the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
My main takeaway was to keep everything in perspective. I realized that we all have resources to lean on and help us get through challenges that we may face. Before panicking, it’s best to utilize your resources and never think you’re too old to learn.
Can you share with us how the work you are doing is helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
The spa industry and the revenue lines have stayed the same for 30 years: hair, nails, massages, facials, body treatments and fitness/personal training. However, during the peak of the pandemic, guests and residents over 55 years old were nervous to return to the traditional spa services. Carillon Miami was able to launch touchless wellness treatments and contactless treatments which offer a cutting-edge wellness experience without physical touch. Currently, we offer 11 different touchless and contactless experiences to aid sleeplessness, muscle and pain recovery, weight loss, full body detoxing, and stress and anxiety.
Can you share a story that illustrates that?
Globally, I attended three conferences talking about trends in the US and Touchless Wellness Experiences. These include Forum HOTel & Spa, Medical Wellness and Global Wellness Summit. After attending these conferences, I realized how touchless technology could really help people improve their physical, mental, and spiritual health and well-being and knew I had to implement it somehow in the spa offerings at Carillon Miami.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
At Carillon Miami, I am continuing to grow and develop touchless wellness experiences, contactless experiences, and medical wellness experiences.
Touchless wellness experiences include:
- The Somadome
- Prism Light Pod
- V.E.M.I.
- Halotherapy
- Cryotherapy
- Salt Float Bath
- Spa Wave
- Avacen
Contactless experiences include:
- Derma-face & Shape Detox lymphatic
- Therma-facial
- Angelique cryo facials and body slimming
Touchless wellness circuits include:
- Muscle Recovery Circuit
An ideal circuit made for post exercise or during athletic training to help relieve sore muscles and inflammation placing you into deep relaxation and recovery.
Includes Full Body Electric Cryo, Prism Light Pod, Halotherapy + Infrared, Salt Float Bath Therapy, VEMI, Somadome
- Sleep Well
Research continues to show how important it is to allow the body and mind to receive rest. Benefits: improve concentration, balance mood, boost creativity.
Includes VEMI, Salt Float Bath Therapy, Spa Wave, Somadome (snooze track)
- Anxiety & Stress Relief
Breathe. Decompress. Benefits: relieve your stress and anxiety by supporting your respiratory, immune, mental and skin health.
- Halotherapy + Infrared, Salt Float Bath, Therapy Himalayan Salt Stone Massage, VEMI, Somadome
We recently launched integrative medicine by the biostation, offering cutting-edge anti-aging treatments and retreats. Treatments include:
- Weight Management
- HGH
- Detox & Cleanses
- Nutritional Guidance & Programming
- Male & Female Hormonal Therapy
- Peptide Therapy
- Pellet Therapy
- Testosterone Therapy
- Nutrient Therapy
- Nutrient IV Therapy
- Nutrient Injections
- Nutritional Health
- Glutathione
- Medical Aesthetics — Dr. James Stern
- Injectables & Fillers (Botox)
- Cool Sculpting
- Novathreads Lift
- Perfect Lips
- Kybella
Platelet Rich Plasma
- Joints Repair
- Hair Restoration
- Facial Rejuvenation
- Erectile Dysfunction
- ICI Therapy
- PRP Therapy
- BPULSE
- Low Testosterone
- Female Sexual Health
- PRP
- Hormonal Health
- Virginal Rejuvenation
You are a successful leader. Which three-character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
Fearlessness, Passion, and Curiosity. I am not afraid to take risks and always interested in learning more about my industry, whether it be new technology, strategies, or potential partnerships. At the end of the day, my greatest asset is my intense passion for spa and wellness. I genuinely love what I do, and strive to make Carillon Miami better and better every day.
OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition of terms so that all of us are on the same page. Wellness is an incredibly broad topic. How would you define the term “Wellness”?
I want to start by telling you another story — in 1995, the International Spa Association accepted me as a board member. Our first business at hand was to define the word “spa.” At the time, the word “spa” was actually defined as a hot tub! Fast forward to today and the spa Industry is back at the table defining what “Wellness” and/or a “Wellness Spa” is.
I consider “wellness” as the daily act of practicing healthy habits to attain better physical and mental health. The goal is to live a happy life and thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is defined as being “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Several key areas that influence your life include social connectedness, exercise, nutrition, sleep and mindfulness. Each one has an impact on your physical and mental health. By making simple and healthy choices on a daily basis, you will be on your way toward reducing stress, having positive social interactions, and achieving optimal wellness.
As an expert, this might be intuitive to you, but it will be instructive to expressly articulate this. Can you please share a few reasons with our readers about why focusing on our wellness should be a priority in our lives?
Everyone wants to live healthier longer. If we don’t focus on our health, we may live longer, but with an unhealthy life, which may not allow us to enjoy things to the fullest.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increasingly growing understanding of the necessity for companies to be mindful of the wellness of their employees. For the sake of inspiring others, can you share steps or initiatives that companies have taken to help improve or optimize their employees’ mental and physical wellness?
Following the latest CDC recommendations, all Carillon Miami guests, residents, and team members must wear a mask in all public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. Changes to layouts in pool, restaurant, fitness, spa, and beach areas encourage social distancing. New health and cleaning measures include daily temperature checks for guests and team members upon arrival, valet safety and sanitizing efforts for keys and vehicles, shoe mat sanitizer as guests, residents, and employees enter the resort, and all public areas are deep cleaned daily and disinfected with electrostatic spraying using a CDC recommended agent, Clean Republic, which removes unwanted pathogens from every targeted surface (non-Clorox based product).
Earlier this year, Carillon Miami also became a Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED™ property. Hotels earn their badge by completing — and maintaining — verification on more than 360 global health security standards. This covers all health and hygiene protocols, cleaning products and procedures, masks and PPE, ventilation, management accountability, and health safety communication with guests and employees.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In The Health and Wellness Industry”?
- Create a great team, all with the same wellness vision
- Be the voice of wellness to your community
- Be authentic and true to yourself
- Be open minded to learning and different ideas
- Participate in wellness conferences to widen your knowledge and adapt to ever changing technologies
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would promote the most wellness to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
In the early 1990’s, the International Spa Association paid Price Water Cooper to predict the future of the Wellness Spa Industry. PWC said, “The Spa Industry would be the hospital of the future!”
The spa and wellness industry has been heading in that direction since 2008, which is also the same year I first added Integrative Medicine to my wellness spa in South Carolina. Since then, my husband and I have built 13 wellness spas from the ground up and we have seen many shifts since 2000. Nowadays, we see that COVID Wellness is the focus of everything. Moving forward, I see spas continuing to prioritize safety from viruses, and Carillon will definitely continue our new safety and cleaning protocols. Looking toward the future, I foresee more spas embracing technology for new treatments and benefits. Technology will continue to change the way clients and spa directors view wellness.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
Oprah! She is well balanced, educated, and continues to be open-minded in evolving her life and health and wellness journey. She teaches us that it’s important to create community programs as well as participate in local and global events that give access to all for education on crucial conversations about health.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I would say the best way to follow my work is to follow Carillon Miami Wellness Resort!
Facebook: @CarillonHotel
Instagram: @CarillonHotel
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!
