How did you end up in Singapore?
I was born in Thailand and have lived in Malaysia, San Francisco, Japan, Hong Kong, Bali, China, Korea and Singapore. The first travels were with my family, and subsequent travel was thanks to my career in the hospitality industry. I visit the UK some summers to see family and friends but am at home in Asia.
Singapore is a wonderful place to live, and it is probably one of the easiest countries in the region to be an expatriate. English is the national language, understanding western cultures is good, education is good, the country is safe and offers a good quality of life, especially for families. Since most of our business takes place in the Asia Pacific, it makes it a very convenient place to settle down.
“Life is not about simply balancing; it is about intentionally building a life.”
Is it Home?
Absolutely! We love Singapore and consider it our home. It’s a great place to live for both personal and professional opportunities.
Best Bits?
Singapore is unique because it is a melting pot of distinct cultures and languages. The standout for me is most definitely the food offerings. We enjoy the best of the east and west cuisines.
How is working in Singapore?
The opportunity to work with a diverse group of people worldwide. If you want to learn and develop your professional skills, Singapore is one of the best places to do it.
Why choose Thailand for the retreat?
The key for a retreat programme like ours is to step back and out of the day-to-day. Thailand is the perfect place for wellness/ mindfulness retreats because it is surrounded by natural beauty and a peaceful setting. Spending time in nature is one of the core ideas behind the Saol (Simple Art of Living) retreat.
How does Thailand fit with ‘Slow Living’?
If you are focused on slow living, then Thailand is the place to be. There is a slower pace of life with focus on community and connection. Everyone here knows how to enjoy life without making it complicated.
What’s the ethos/idea behind Saol?
I work in an industry that is very demanding with frequent travel. The moments I was home I made sure I was present for my family and during Covid I was forced like many others to take the time to slow down and reflect on my life.
I realised that life is not about simply balancing; it is about intentionally building a life. The Saol retreat was born from the mission to create a simple approach to learning how to live a purposeful life.
As a group of hospitality and wellness directors, we combined our knowledge of creating amazing experiences and applying principles for internal change. The outcome was Saol Retreat, a beautiful culmination of life guidance, the best Thailand experience and connecting with yourself and others.
What’s your take on Slow Living?
Doing everything intentionally at the right speed and curating a more meaningful and conscious lifestyle that aligns with your values. Simply put, enjoy the moment without being chased by our past or future.
Any key turning points?
There are so many things I want to do: learn new languages, experience new things, have time with the family, play sports with friends, and time for myself. During the lockdowns of Covid, I said to myself, now is the time to take control.
Any words of wisdom?
I was lucky enough to travel and live around the world. I realised the ‘grass is not greener on the other side of the fence’. The ‘grass is greenest where you water it’. Happiness and satisfaction come from within.
“Care for your health while still healthy. Too often, we wait until our health is in bad condition before doing anything.”
What are your plans?
I want to share Saol Retreat with as many people as I can. We created the Simple Art of Living to help people with mind and body wellness. We are very excited for people to experience the Saol Retreat and make that difference, one person at a time.
Follow Saol
IG: @saol_wellness