21-23 Jun 2026
Midlands (Venue TBA),
Liphook,
United Kingdom
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22-22 Jun 2026
Worldwide,
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26-27 Jun 2026
Tobacco Docks,
London,
United Kingdom
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03-05 Jul 2026
Copenhagen,
Copenhagen,
Denmark
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19-21 Jul 2026
The Global Ambassador ,
Phoenix,
United States
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22-25 Jul 2026
The Global Ambassador ,
Phoenix,
United States
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23-26 Aug 2026
The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai,
Playa del Carmen,
Mexico
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10-12 Sep 2026
MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia,
Malaysia
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| Virtual reality therapy named winner of Global Wellness Summit’s ‘Shark Tank’ award |
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| By Tom Walker 20 Oct 2017 |
Jarrod Luca, a student at Florida State University, won the award for his Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy
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A new virtual reality therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety has been named the winner of the annual Shark Tank Student Competition at the Global Wellness Summit (GWS).
The Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was developed by Jarrod Luca, a student at Florida State University, and uses a virtual reality headset to treat sufferers of PTSD.
Luca was named the winner following a live competition between three finalists and questioning from a panel of 'Wellness Sharks' – spa professionals representing some of the sector’s leading companies.
Maria Gil from École de Lausanne, Switzerland, was named first runner-up for developing a ‘health toothbrush’ that encourages people to follow a less acidic diet.
Mikey Ahdoot, from the University of Southern California, was named second runner-up for his Every Damn Day app, which tracks habits, motivates users and matches them with an accountability partner.
The three finalists will share US$10,000 (€8,400, £7,500) in prize money.
“The Shark Tank of Wellness offers an important look at what lies ahead for the wellness industry,” said GWS Chairman and CEO Susie Ellis.
“Interestingly, all finalists presented technology solutions, ranging from a life-changing virtual reality solution to innovative apps. This underscores the important role technology will continue to play in delivering health and wellness to a global community.”
The Shark Tank of Wellness is a global challenge giving university students the opportunity to submit innovative, impactful ideas for the wellness industry.
Entries are accepted from a number of fields – including architecture/design, beauty, education, fitness, hospitality, investment, medicine, nutrition, real estate, spa, technology and travel.
This year the Shark Tank Student Competition received 60 entries from 26 countries.
The panel of ‘Wellness Sharks’ included:
William Arango, Senior Director of Operations, Ritz Carlton for ESPA International
Andrew Gibson, Global Vice President, Well-Being, Luxury Brands, Fairmont Hotels
Jane Iredale, President & CEO, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, U.S.
Sheila McCann, General Manager, Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Thailand
Jacqueline Piotaz, Founder & Developer, Jacqueline Piotatz Cosmetics, Switzerland
Frank Pitsikalis, Founder & CEO, ResortSuite, Canada
Michael Pugliese, Owner & CEO, Circadia by Dr. Pugliese, US.
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| News |
| 1 to 12 of 9482 news stories |
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18 Jun 2026
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. The country’s capital city, Tirana, ... More
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19 Jun 2026
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey and Company’s Future of Wellness 2026 ... More
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19 Jun 2026
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House Hotel and ... More
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12 Jun 2026
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley. This collaboration is significant as it reflects a shift by Six ... More
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10 Jun 2026
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, is gearing up to unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002. The club has been reimagined to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and ... More
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15 Jun 2026
Barons Eden, the UK parent company that operates luxury destination properties in England, has rebranded to become Hiddenwell. The change to the parent identity was carried out following research conducted to help the business strengthen ... More
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09 Jun 2026
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary. The all-inclusive two-night Ayush ... More
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08 Jun 2026
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-focused care at scale. Longevitix combines years of scattered patient data into a complete ... More
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07 Jun 2026
Luxury wellness resort, The Retreat Costa Rica, has introduced its Vida Mía Longevity Centre at the property’s Vida Mía Healing Centre and Spa. The longevity centre adds physician-guided programming to the resort, which was founded ... More
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08 Jun 2026
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and 2029. Atmantan is a retreat ... More
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11 Jun 2026
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna. Mayrlife offers holistic health ... More
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10 Jun 2026
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD). GWD ... More
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| Templespa |
| Templespa was founded in 2000 by Liz and Mark Warom, seasoned entrepreneurs with a proven track
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