Meet Michelle Clapperton, vice president of wellness operations at Sensei, who has nearly 20 years of experience in the spa and hospitality industry. Prior to Sensei, Clapperton worked for other luxury hospitality and wellness companies, such as Six Senses, Shangri-La, and Four Seasons, where she was formerly the executive director of the California Health & Longevity Institute at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake. She holds certifications in plant-based nutrition and Ayurveda. She is also a registered dietitian and registered holistic nutritionist, currently pursuing her credentials in functional medicine.
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
My passions have always been in the fields of health and business. From my upbringing, I had in-depth knowledge of Ayurveda and decided to round out that education with a BS in nutritional science. When I discovered the wellness retreat industry, I immediately knew that was how I wanted to influence peoples’ lives. To accomplish this goal, I earned my master’s in hotel management to understand the hospitality side alongside the wellbeing side of the industry. From there, I began my career, which led me to my current role in Sensei, where I am continually learning and developing a deep understanding of the wellness industry.
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of being in the spa industry?
The most rewarding part of being in the wellness industry is the ability to truly affect the course of our guests' health. At Sensei, we have the unique opportunity to impact lifestyles while a guest is with us over the course of multiple nights. Backed by the latest science and technology, we specialize in curating personalized offerings that can help guests find a path to optimize their wellbeing in ways that fit into their existing lifestyle, so they can stick with it for the long run. This is a privilege that most healthcare practitioners do not have. We are able to show people what healthful living can look like, taste like, and feel like.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is joining the corporate team at Sensei as vice president of operations. Sensei is setting a new bar in the industry through innovation, technology, scientific validation, and an incredible team.
What has surprised you most about working in the spa industry?
It continually surprises me how much small changes can have a big impact on our guests' wellbeing. At Sensei, we believe in the concept of continuous improvement - Kaizen. Through tiny changes in daily living, we can make significant improvements in health and wellbeing.
Where do you think the industry is heading?
The wellness industry is heading toward more impactful and in-depth experiences. Our guests are savvy about wellbeing and can decipher which properties offer wellness as an amenity versus those properties that are invested in wellbeing at their core. At Sensei, our purpose is to guide the world toward greater wellbeing, which is the key foundation of our brand. Not only does Sensei offer a unique wellbeing experience at both of our respective retreats in the Greater Palm Springs region in California and the Hawaiian island of Lanai, but we take it a step further with in-depth, evidence-backed wellbeing programs tailored to the needs of each individual.
What’s your favorite skincare ingredient?
I am very passionate about using skincare that offers organic, farm-to-product ingredients. Most importantly though, as a redhead living in Colorado, my essential skincare product is sunscreen.
What positions have you worked in that you feel have been most influential to your career?
Prior to my role at Sensei, I worked for (what is now) the Four Seasons Center for Health & Wellbeing in Southern California, where I grew as a leader as part of the executive team.
Was there a time you had to make a decision in your career that ended up changing your destiny? How did you handle that challenge and what was your thought process?
There have been many times in my career where I have had to decide for which company to work. During these moments, I have always deferred to the values of the company and the values of the leadership to help guide me in deciding where to dedicate my time and resources.
If you could work in any other profession in the world, what would you be?
If I was not in the wellness industry, I would be in the medical industry, focused on preventive care via lifestyle medicine. I have been fortunate enough through my career to be able to work with other experts in the fields of preventive medicine, integrative medicine, and functional medicine.
How would you sum up your personal philosophy?
Live a long, happy, and healthy life by having a growth mindset, being present with your loved ones, eating whole foods, and moving in ways that bring you joy.
How do you like to spend your time away from work?
I firmly believe that you should surround yourself with people who inspire you to live a happier and healthier life. This is why my family has chosen to live in a city that is one of the healthiest in the country. We spend our days hiking and snowboarding in the mountains, walking around lakes, eating high-quality home cooked food, and spending quality active time with our loved ones.
What are your three greatest priorities in life?
Spending fully present time with my family, eating high-quality plant-forward food, and moving my body regularly in nature. That is the recipe for happiness in my life.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
The best advice I have received is that the heart and soul of any wellness business is the team. We are not just in the wellness business, we are in the people business and that includes our team members first and foremost.