Sonu Shivdasani is the man who has it all—a loving family, a beautiful home, and a job in paradise. The Founder & CEO of Soneva Resorts now has properties in the Maldives and Thailand, as well as a luxury yacht which leads departures from the Soneva Fushi Maldivian resort. Shivdasani left the family business to pursue his dream, and with his wife Eva has transformed his passion into a thriving business. He shares his story and advice on maintaining a balanced life.
What was your first healthy holiday experience? I grew up in Africa, with plenty of space, fresh air and lots of exercise. I often didn’t wear shoes. When I moved back to Europe and lived in a big city, I realised that these things were rare in the modern world, yet are really important for a healthy life. These are the elements that we try to offer to our guests, many of whom are urban dwellers.
What was your lifestyle like before founding Soneva? I was involved in my family business but it wasn’t my passion. It was only after I met Eva and visited the Maldives that I realised what I would like to do with my life.
How did you identify the perfect destination for a Soneva resort? “Remote but accessible” is the usual phrase that we use for our site selection. In addition, the locations need to be of outstanding natural beauty.
What type of person did you found Soneva for? A typical Soneva guest is an intelligent, sophisticated, well-traveled escapist yearning for a greater truth and hence a natural, slow life
What are the crucial factors involved in implementing a successful healthy lifestyle change? Any change requires a commitment and time. It takes 20 days to form a habit, so initially, it is difficult. But once one gets in the habit, it becomes second nature.
How do you reboot after a difficult day? Every morning as mentioned above, I would either go to the gym or do some yoga. But after that, I meditate for about 30-40 minutes. That keeps me going. After lunch, I usually have a 20-minute nap as I start to flag a little bit after the meal. This gives me the energy to complete the day. I am very passionate about what I do, so I tend to burn a lot of energy during the day. It is important to have these times to refocus and reboot.
Describe an ideal retreat experience. Great food, a lot of privacy and time to oneself, the opportunity to learn and be inspired and to meet other people.
What does wellness mean to you? I’m a big believer in integrated wellness. It’s not just about going to the spa or doing some exercise—it’s looking at every aspect of your life and trying to find balance and improve one’s health.
How do you integrate wellness into your daily routine? On a typical day, I get up at 6.30am. I will have boiling water with lemon or cider vinegar with honey and go through a few emails. I then do some activity: I alternate between going to the gym and doing yoga. Following that, I meditate for 30-40 minutes and then the day starts at about 8.30am. Depending on where I am, a day would comprise meetings or calls. I tend to work when I am having breakfast or lunch whether it is a business meeting or responding to emails as this allows me not to gulp food down. I usually take a 30-minute break after lunch for again a little bit of meditation or a nap and then the afternoon continues. I’m usually asleep by 11:30pm.
Who do you most admire? My wife Eva. She is passionate about what she believes in, and she doesn’t ever compromise.
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