A seasoned hospitality professional with a wealth of experience in the luxury sector, Janis Clapoff has transformed her interest in health and fitness from a passion to a career. Her role as Managing Director at the Lake Austin Spa led her to leave behind a life on the east coast in search of warmer climes, seaside living and the ultimate sustained wellness experience. She lets Compare Retreats in on her secrets…
What does wellness mean to you? Wellness is a state of being in good health, where all your senses are being fed. The outcome is feeling good about yourself in every way.
Describe an ideal wellness retreat in five words. Using just five words is impossible! An ideal wellness retreat to me is one that offers you the accessibility to experience all that is good for your mind, body and spirit with warm and gracious people to help lead you through your journey.
Is it necessary for people to ‘retreat’ to focus on health and wellness? Wellness is a state of mind and body, and if allowed to be a part of your lifestyle, will follow you everywhere.
What was your lifestyle like before you started working at Lake Austin Spa Resort? I have always tried to follow a healthy and active lifestyle. I prefer to be in an environment of constant sunlight rather than cold, seasonal temperatures, so I made a move from the East coast back to the warmer weather. Now I enjoy being outdoors and on the water as much as possible.
What made this the perfect location to set up a wellness resort? The ‘secret sauce’ at Lake Austin Spa Resort is its location on the water, and the elegant Texas Hill Country environment. Your surroundings help to ease you into relaxation-mode, and science has shown that being in, near or on a body of water has real and measurable health benefits!
What should people expect from a retreat experience here? Guests should expect to have many “Ah-ha!” moments.
What makes a retreat at the Lake Austin Spa unique? Its subtle concentration on everything soothing, from dining in your bathrobe to an elegant destination spa environment with endless fitness options, from forest bathing walks through the hill country, boating excursions, our Ripple Effects water activities and sensational dining experiences. One of our guests’ favourite activities is sipping an iced herbal tea in the lakeside hammocks while reading their favourite book. Everyone needs to take a moment to slow down and disconnect. We allow people to do that here.
How do you maintain a balanced approach to wellness while travelling? Ensuring that you are selective about what you are eating, and where possible, choose to keep walking or moving instead of taking elevators and escalators.
What strategies do you employ to cope with stressful situations? I have taken up boxing: I do it three days a week for 30 minutes at a time.
Do you have any routines that help guarantee a good night’s sleep? I am an early riser, so I like to get up and kayak on Lake Austin before work. After a full day of work and a swim just before going home, my mind and body are both ready to say goodnight—I sleep like a baby.
Contact bookings@compareretreats.com to book your luxury wellness retreat
