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The Wellness Questionnaire With Emme Diane Burg, Founder and CEO of Emme Diane Skincare

Gain valuable insights on happiness from this beauty entrepreneur
Heather Mikesell

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Emme Diane Burg is founder and CEO of Emme Diane, a skincare brand dedicated to transforming the skin by combining expertise, personalized care, and genuine passion. In a world where trends dictate product launches, Burg’s approach has been intentional, introducing products backed by extensive research, ensuring their efficacy and relevance. The Emme Diane collection is carefully curated, resonating with its core philosophy of providing genuine solutions and correcting challenging skin concerns, such as acne, melasma, sun damage, and premature aging. Determined to change the industry and give her clients the very best, Burg focuses on revolutionizing the skincare industry with personal consultations and one-on-one support and regular check-ins from the start. Her approach is holistic and comprehensive, encapsulating both external and internal wellness.  “My passion for solving tough skin issues started with my own struggles with problematic skin,” says Burg. “I know firsthand how frustrating and defeating it can feel when nothing seems to work, and that experience sparked what has become a 20-plus- year journey in both medical and spa esthetics.” Here, she shares what role wellness plays in her own day-to-day life.

What does wellness mean to you?

Honestly, wellness is all about feeling aligned—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It’s not about chasing perfection or checking off some rigid list of healthy habits. It’s about staying connected to myself and tuning in to what I actually need in the moment. Sometimes that looks like a good sweat session that leaves me feeling strong and clear-headed. Other times, it’s slowing down, resting, and giving myself permission to just be. Movement is a big part of it for me—whether it’s strength training, walking outside, or dancing in my kitchen—because it helps me feel grounded and empowered.

But wellness goes way beyond workouts. It’s also about eating in a way that truly nourishes me, getting enough sleep (non-negotiable), staying on top of my health and hormones, and giving myself space to recharge. I’ve learned that being proactive with my health is one of the kindest things I can do for future me. And then there’s the emotional side—checking in with how I’m really doing, being honest with myself, letting myself feel the hard stuff, and making space for joy and creativity. Connection is huge, too…whether it’s time with close friends, giving back in a meaningful way, or just a quiet moment with God, it all fills me up.

Wellness isn’t a destination—it’s something I come back to daily. And some days, that looks a little messy. But to me, it’s about showing up for myself with compassion and care, over and over again.

What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?

I have a few rituals and practices that really anchor me. First, movement is essential. Whether it’s a structured workout, taking time to stretch, or a spontaneous dance session in my kitchen, it helps me release stress and reconnect to my body. I don’t move to punish myself. I move to feel alive. Journaling and writing my intentions for the day are other non-negotiable for me. It helps me process my thoughts, tune into my intuition, and get honest with myself. I pair it with morning quiet time—prayer, meditation, priming—and it sets the tone for the rest of my day.

I also prioritize skincare, not just because it’s my profession, but because it’s one of the most nurturing rituals I have. Taking time to care for my skin is a reminder that I’m worthy of care and attention.

Other things that bring me back to center? Long talks with close friends, time in nature, nourishing meals, laughing and being playful, and the occasional Netflix marathon to just unplug and chill. Wellness doesn’t always look like green juice and meditation—sometimes it’s rest, fun, or giving myself permission to be.

Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?

I’ve been devoted to the Tracy Anderson Method for years, because it offers so much more than just a workout—it’s a full-body, mind-body experience. The combination of rhythm, movement, and deep muscle engagement leaves me feeling strong, centered, and deeply connected to my body in a way that’s both intentional and empowering. More recently, I’ve added EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) training to my routine, and I’m completely hooked. It’s an incredibly efficient way to activate those deeper muscle fibers, build strength, and support lean muscle mass and bone density, which becomes more important with each passing year. It’s been a powerful complement to my existing routine, and I love how it helps me stay strong from the inside out.

What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?

Chocolate—yes, really! I believe it can absolutely be part of a healthy lifestyle when enjoyed in moderation. My favorite is Alter Eco’s Burnt Caramel Dark Chocolate Bar. It’s the perfect balance of rich, slightly bitter dark chocolate with just a hint of sweetness and crunch. I love savoring a square or two mindfully—it’s my favorite little indulgence that still feels aligned with wellness.

What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?

I’ve been sober for 24 years, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying a great mocktail to feel festive and included! One of my favorites is something I make for myself and friends call the “Emme-tini.” It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for summer. In a martini shaker, I muddle fresh basil leaves and blueberries with ice until they’re gently crushed, then add a few drops of liquid stevia, and top it off with soda water. Shake well and pour into a chilled martini glass. It’s simple, beautiful, and always a crowd-pleaser.

What is your greatest wellness achievement?

Aside from getting sober—undoubtedly my greatest personal transformation—one of my proudest wellness achievements has been actively facing my fears. Whether it was shark diving, walking on fire multiple times, or bungee jumping off a bridge in New Zealand, each experience taught me how capable I am when I move through fear instead of avoiding it. That mindset has rippled into every area of my wellbeing—emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual.

What is the best piece of wellness advice you have ever received and from whom?

You don’t have to bloom all year. I honestly cannot remember who said or shared it with me. That one piece of advice shifted everything for me. For so long, I felt like I had to always be “on,” creating, doing, growing, achieving. But the truth is, just like nature, we move through seasons. Some are bright and blooming. Others are quiet and inward. And both are necessary.

Now I know, rest is not falling behind. Slowing down isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. Some of my most meaningful growth has happened during the unseen seasons—the ones where I was deep in reflection, healing, or just taking a breath.

What is your idea of balanced healthy happiness?

Something I’ve come to understand deeply is that happiness is a skill. It’s not something that just happens to us, it’s something we have to cultivate intentionally. For a long time, I thought happiness was the result of circumstances falling into place. But over time, I realized it’s a practice—just like fitness or mindfulness. I have to nurture it through gratitude, perspective, presence, and choosing to live in a beautiful state. That shift changed everything for me. When I started approaching happiness as something I could build, it became part of my wellness foundation.

What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?

One of the aspects of my wellbeing I struggle with the most is managing distractions from my phone, especially social media. It’s like I pick it up to check one thing, and suddenly I’ve been pulled into this endless scroll of content, comparison, and noise. Even when I know it’s stealing my focus or draining my energy, it can still feel impossible to put it down. What’s tricky is that it doesn’t always feel like a problem in the moment—it feels like a break, a quick dopamine hit, a way to stay connected. But over time, I’ve noticed how much it chips away at my ability to be present, to stay focused on meaningful work, or to fully enjoy the quiet, beautiful moments in real life.

I’m working on setting healthier boundaries—leaving my phone in another room, turning off notifications, and being more intentional with my screen time. It’s a work in progress, but I know that protecting my attention is one of the most important things I can do for my mental clarity, creativity, and overall peace.

About The Author
Heather-Mikesell-author-1

Heather, co-founder of Well Defined and the former editor-in-chief of American Spa, is an award-winning journalist and content strategist, skilled in writing, copyediting, and media relations. She is also a freelance writer and has contributed to Elite Traveler, Islands, Kiwi, Luxury Travel Advisor, Organic Spa, Porthole Cruise, Travel Agent, abcnews.com, jetsetter.com, outside.com, and wellandgood.com, in addition to various custom publications. She is frequently called upon to comment on various spa and wellness trends for various media outlets.