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Success Story: Christelle Stockdale

15 May 2017
Christelle is a trained yoga teacher, naturopath and wellness consultant and has worked all around the world in various capacities, the last 7 years of which in Wellness and Spa. Today she looks after the day to day running of The Balmoral Spa. Christelle is passionate about holistic health and wellbeing and loves her work in Spa where the de-stressing effects of treatments can be seen immediately afterwards on the relaxed faces of the guests.

How did you get your start in the spa industry?
I’ve always had a passion for wellness and, wanting to pursue my passion, re-trained in health and wellbeing (after my first studies in Environmental Sciences), eventually qualifying as a Naturopath and Medical Herbalist. This led me to run my own business providing wellness coaching, herbal remedies and nutritional advice, alongside therapies such as massage, yoga, reiki, ear acupuncture and Iridology. I also ran workshops on massage and health and wellbeing. It was through my background in Wellness that I transitioned into the Spa industry. I’ve always been interested in helping people, so through being involved in wellness as well as the guest service aspect and combining this with leading, coaching and motivating a team, I’ve found an ideal outlet for my skills and interests.

What roles have you held in the industry during your career?
Working freelance in London, I then had the opportunity to go to Thailand as a visiting Wellness Consultant in a Juice Cleansing Detox Retreat and loved the experience of working with many guests on a wellness journey and helping guide them through that. Through that experience I then took my work to the Maldives where I worked at the Conrad Maldives Resort, as their resident Naturopath for 2.5 years. During this time I took on the additional responsibilities of managing two beautiful Spas in this exquisite island resort. And finally, I came to Scotland a year ago to manage a city Spa at the prestigious Balmoral.

What professional achievement are you most proud of and why?
Retraining as a Naturopath took 6 years part time study while I worked full time to pay for the course and support myself. It was a very intense time but one which I’m very grateful and proud I completed as through that, I now work in the field of Spa & Wellness which I absolutely love.

What is the best part of working in the spa and wellness industry?
Seeing people feeling better after their treatments, coming in to the Spa stressed and flustered and leaving after their treatments looking blissful.

What one piece of advice would you give someone starting out in the spa and wellness industry?
Be open, caring, kind and let the way you carry yourself, give hospitality to the guest, and do your treatments, convey a deep caring and sincere wish for them to have a wonderful experience in the Spa.


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