DAYSPA is the business resource for spa & wellness professionals! Each issue covers the latest in skin care, spa treatments, wellness services and management strategies.
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[ 96 ] • # dayspamagazine • september 2017 d i t b Linda Nelson, PhD, RND Founder and chairman, M'lis What's the best career decision you've ever made? I used to own a chain of children's designer clothing stores, but in 1979 I got really sick. I decided to change my own health by going back to school for a doctorate in preventive health care—and that was the birth of M'lis. What's one simple thing we could all be doing to boost our wellness? I think there are four things: eat clean, drink pure water, exercise and control external stress. Sugar is the most abused drug in America, and it negatively impacts every single body system and organ. Keeping stress down is also important; anything that costs you your peace is too expensive. How has wellness changed since you entered the industry decades ago? The launch of M'lis in 1979 coincided with the downfall of American food sources. I remember thinking how fabulous it was that you could feed your family by going to a drive-through! At that time, people weren't interested in what we were doing. Until 1990, we did 80 percent of our business in Asia. Then people in the U.S. began to call us, so we came back into spas here. Overall, we've had some pretty rough times, but we were so convinced that we were on the right track, and the last 10 years have been fabulous! Our company mantra is 'We change lives,' and that has been our impetus since day one. What's in the pipeline for M'lis? It's an exciting year for us: We're going through an incredible rebranding. Our packaging is prettier and more simple, and we're also working to simplify our regimens so that more people can experience a lifechanging program without necessarily needing a daily mentor. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My age! It would've been great to have as much fun 30 years ago as I'm having today. I'd settle for being 15 years younger, so I'd have 15 more years to enjoy life. But the benefi ts of being healthy are huge: When I was 38 I was so sick. I'm now 75 and can do whatever I want. Who inspires you? Clients who take responsibility for their own health. Those who embrace that challenge become better wives, sisters or teachers. They're the ones who keep me doing what I'm doing. What's on your bucket list? Before my husband passed away two years ago, our goal was to visit every country in the world. He was an architect and we both love architecture. I also enjoy looking at the local healthcare systems and seeing how they take care of people. These days I go on trips with one of my six kids or 23 grandkids. We've been to most places except Iceland, New Zealand, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Syria. u one on one industry leader Q&A; Family anksgiving fun, Oceanside, California With husband Bill, meeting a tribe in Africa M O R E O N T H E W E B E RAPID RESPONSE: A Favorite food? Fresh veggies and fruit: things that still have live enzymes in them! Although I do believe in everything in moderation if you're healthy. A Would most like to meet? Ghandi. I recently spent three weeks in India and toured his home. He tried so hard to bring about world peace. A Can't leave the house without? My 'Mary Poppins' bag— it has everything in it! MIDDLE LEFT: © GETTY IMAGES Skydiving over Salt Lake City Being kissed by a giraff e in Kenya