Leading with mindfulness is a way of life for Kelly Gasspari-Fleming, Director of Spa & Wellness for Waldorf Astoria Chicago. The wellness and hospitality veteran has built quite the legacy in the length of her career, with highlights including being personally invited to the White House and hosting the First Lady for a spa day. With so much on the Horizon for the Waldorf Astoria brands, Gasspari-Fleming has much to share about creating wellness programming the enlightens guests and opens a door to all new world of well-being. Whether it’s meditation, a sound bath massage or AI therapies in the spa, this industry powerhouse is always at the forefront of spa and wellness trends. Gasspari-Fleming sat down with WellSpa 360 to discuss her greatest accomplishment and how she practices self-care in a busy industry.
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Leading with mindfulness is a way of life for Kelly Gasspari-Fleming, Director of Spa & Wellness for Waldorf Astoria Chicago. The wellness and hospitality veteran has built quite the legacy in the length of her career, with highlights including being personally invited to the White House and hosting the First Lady for a spa day. With so much on the Horizon for the Waldorf Astoria brands, Gasspari-Fleming has much to share about creating wellness programming the enlightens guests and opens a door to all new world of well-being. Whether it’s meditation, a sound bath massage or AI therapies in the spa, this industry powerhouse is always at the forefront of spa and wellness trends. Gasspari-Fleming sat down with WellSpa 360 to discuss her greatest accomplishment and how she practices self-care in a busy industry.
1. What was your first job in the spa/wellness/skin care industry?
I was a licensed nail technician and makeup artist.
2. What is your favorite memory of your time working in this industry?
It is very difficult to pinpoint one memory that stands out from the others, but hosting The First Lady of the United States and a few of her friends for a spa day on multiple occasions was pretty special.
3. What do you love about spa and wellness?
The impact it has on your overall well-being. Through our industry, you are given a foundation of self-love and mindfulness to be a better person for yourself and the world.
4. What new wellness trends do you find most exciting?
The autonomous technology that is enhancing what we can offer to our guests, along with the assistance of AI in wearables to monitor your progress in your wellness journey.
5. What’s the first thing you do after a long day at work?
Meditate.
6. What’s your favorite wellness treatment to receive and why?
A sound bath massage; it transforms you to a place of deep relaxation on a cellular level and when you come back from the journey, you are completely restored and rebalanced.
7. What’s your greatest accomplishment?
This is a tough question, as I have had many over the years, but I would say It’s a toss-up between a personal invitation to the white house or being selected to represent an Austrian skin care line on live TV.
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8. What advice do you have for someone just getting started in the industry?
Make time each day to give back to yourself through meditation, journaling, movement, or anything that inspires you.
9. What’s one thing you can’t leave the house without?
Hydrating face spray; I have them all.
10. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Our vacations! When my husband and I travel, we go all out.
11. Who or what inspires you?
Dr. Wayne Dyer books, Jay Shetty podcasts, Abraham Hicks Law of Attraction workshops, my teams and anything in nature.
12. How do you practice self-care?
5 AM workouts, sound bath mediations, love letters to myself and a 12-step skin care regimen I practice twice a day.
13. What is on your bucket list?
My top five are to watch a sunrise from a hot air balloon, buy a horse, travel the country in an RV, inspire the world and witness a miracle.
14. What’s on the horizon for Waldorf Astoria Chicago?
We are at the beginning phase of the Waldorf Astoria re-brand spa concept and our Chicago Spa is the pilot for the re-brand. We are incredibly honored to pave the way for our Waldorf Astoria Spas and drive our new concepts to new heights of wellness. We will introduce new sections of our menu and spaces dedicated to the ultimate way of well-being and mindful self-care and living. It is an exciting time for all of us.
