Can a spa director also be a systems thinker, a creative artist, and a human performance strategist? In this episode, Arnaud Dieutegard, Senior Director of Wellness, Spa & Retail at Four Seasons Costa Rica, shares how he's reimagining resort wellness, from creative leadership and culturally rooted experiences to peak performance programs grounded in science. Listeners will hear how one property is using data, design, and disciplined creativity to move beyond "amenities" and build a truly transformational wellness ecosystem for guests. Arnaud traces his journey from a wellness-focused childhood in France to leading multi-property spa operations for Four Seasons, outlining how the role of the spa director has evolved into a strategic, revenue-driving position. Along the way, he unpacks new models in sleep health, retreat design, performance diagnostics, and the subtle art of teaching guests to listen inward instead of endlessly chasing external fixes. What You'll Learn: How the spa business has shifted from "nice-to-have" amenity to strategic, performance-driven revenue center in luxury hospitality Why today's therapists must act as wellness experts, guiding guests with personalized education, not just delivering treatments How Four Seasons Costa Rica blends ancestral healing practices with modern technology to create memorable, differentiated guest experiences A behind-the-scenes look at Peak Performance programs, including MRI, bloodwork, sleep analysis, and lifestyle interventions designed for long-term change Practical insights into creative discipline, how structure, time-blocking, and constraints can actually unlock innovation for spa leaders and wellness entrepreneurs Episode Highlights: 01:10 – What does a Senior Director of Wellness, Spa & Retail actually do across multiple Four Seasons properties? 07:45 – From hippie upbringing to Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and tuba: how early influences shaped Arnaud's view of holistic wellness 16:30 – The evolution of the spa director role: from "just keep guests happy" to driving revenue, strategy, and innovation 24:05 – Designing memorable spa concepts by merging ancestral rituals with modern technology at Four Seasons Costa Rica 32:50 – Inside the Wellness Chalet and wellness villa: building retreat-style experiences within a luxury resort environment 41:20 – How the Peak Performance program uses diagnostics and lifestyle intervention instead of quick-fix "biohacks" 48:40 – The Sleep Box: a curated toolkit for travelers that turns any room into a personalized sleep lab 55:15 – Discipline, creativity, and inner listening: Arnaud's prediction for the future of wellness and hospitality Meet the Guest: Arnaud Dieutegard is the Senior Director of Wellness, Spa & Retail at Four Seasons Costa Rica, where he oversees on-property operations and supports multiple Four Seasons spas across the Americas. With a background that spans aesthetics, holistic therapies, music, and hospitality leadership, Arnaud is known for designing wellness concepts that are financially sound, culturally authentic, and deeply human. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned: Cluster Wellness Leadership Model – Supporting several Four Seasons properties with shared expertise, concept development, and operational insight Ancestral + Tech Integration Framework – Designing experiences that pair local rituals (cacao, Ayurvedic and Chinese influences, Costa Rican ingredients) with modern modalities and devices Wellness Chalet & Wellness Villa Retreat Model – A contained, retreat-style environment inside a resort, where guests follow a pre-designed, stress-free wellness program Peak Performance Program – A high-touch, data-driven lifestyle intervention that includes: Pre-arrival MRI, blood panels, and at-home sleep study On-site coaching and analysis with a human performance physician Personalized supplement and habit recommendations Six months of post-stay follow-up with a multidisciplinary clinical team Sleep Box Toolkit – A curated sleep optimization kit including a continuous-measurement sleep ring, red-light panel, breathing tools, blue-light blockers, masks, and travel-friendly accessories Creative Discipline Framework – Time-blocked "creative workshops," constraints-based creation (like limiting instruments or colors), and structured routines that allow innovation without chaos Closing Insight: At its core, this episode is about shifting wellness from "more" to "meaningful." Arnaud reminds us that the next wave in hospitality isn't just about bigger menus or more technology, it's about teaching guests to notice their own cues, trust their bodies, and integrate what they learn after they go home. As he puts it, real transformation happens when discipline, creativity, and inner listening finally align. Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning? Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses Other Links: Connect with Arnaud Dieutegard: linkedin.com/in/arnaud-dieutegard Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness
