With 24 years of experience in the wellness industry, Jessica Swartley, spa director and head of recreational activities at the Spa at Spruce Peak (Stowe, VT), was one of first employees at The Lodge at Spruce Peak, assisting in the pre-opening and launch efforts. She has developed and implemented various wellness and recreational programs over the past two decades. In her current role, she oversees all aspects of the spa. Her passion for channeling her team’s creativity has led her to create and manage annual events such as Spruce Peak’s Wellness Weekends, Men’s and Ladies’ Golf Invitationals, and more. In her spare time, Swartley enjoys discovering new wellness offerings in her local community and throughout Vermont. Here, she shares some of her favorite activities for maintaining her own wellbeing.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness, or being well, to me has certainly changed over the years just like it has as an industry. Every year, I focus on a few things that I want to do better. In 2025, my focus is on increasing our offerings of analog activities: reading, board games, and time spent outside focused on activities that do not involve a screen.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
I am fortunately enough to live in the beautiful Green Mountain State of Vermont. There is always something magical to do outside year-round. I love mountain biking in the summer and curling in the winter.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?
As a family of very active humans, I am always looking to try new activities to share with the family and here at Spruce Peak. A few years ago, I took a Learn to Curl class and fell in love. Not only is curling a fun Olympic sport it can also be very social and great for team building, as you have to work together to accomplish your objective. In the summer seasons, we are a family of mountain bikers and love to explore the extensive mountain bike trail networks here in Vermont.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
Cooking is my favorite past time. I spent a lot of time as a child with my Pennsylvania Dutch grandparents, who cooked a lot from scratch. I have been a healthy eater since I was a child and still eat well today. I find that consuming protein from fish, a gluten-free diet, and as many vegetables as I can eat keep me healthy and energized.
What is your favorite healthy beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and do you have any insider tips for preparing it?
I see a local acupuncturist and herbalist regularly, and she creates the most delicious herbs for me to drink as a tea a few times a day. I do not consume caffeine or alcohol, preferring herbal teas from wellness experts.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
My greatest wellness achievement was joining The Spa at Spruce Peak family back when it was being created. The former spa director, Maggy Dunphy, saw something in me, and I have never looked back. My team and what we do collectively is my greatest achievement.
What person in wellness do you most admire and why?
At the moment, I am a bit obsessed with Amy Purdy and her inspirational story. As a career massage therapist, she faced adversity when she lost her legs from a rare disease and then started a foundation for Paralympic Snowboarders. If you have not heard her speak, I certainly recommend it.
What is the best piece of wellness advice you have ever received and from whom?
From our Spruce Peak core values: pure joy, simple pride, and forging connections speak to my own personal beliefs tremendously. I believe we should be taking pride in what we do, having fun while we do it, and making a lasting impact on our community through the interactions we have. I also love this Hyatt core principle; “Care for people, so they can be their best.” That truly resonates with me.
What do you think is the most exciting wellness innovation you have recently discovered?
As mentioned earlier, I love seeing more and more wellness experts moving into the analog mentality when opting for new treatments and services. I feel we all spend too much time connected to our screens and not enough peaceful moments embracing our world and natural surroundings. I am really excited to see how technology and AI will change our industry. Just over the last year, the “Robot Massage” has made leaps and bounds. At some point, you may be able to go into any spa and receive a massage from a robot.
What is your idea of balanced healthy happiness?
You have to make the time. I schedule everything, including my downtime to make sure I do not overlook the time needed to step away. Time for oneself is important. Even if you are doing nothing, it’s something. And sometimes rest is what the body and mind need.
What do you think is the most overused word or words in wellness?
In our world or the world of spa and wellness, being innovative and up to date with your verbiage is paramount to success. Our team holds biannual meetings where we openly discuss trends and terminology that we feel will be most applicable to the upcoming seasons. Being current, relatable, and approachable is so critical to those interested in furthering their wellness journey.
Do you have a secret health or wellness tip you would like to share?
Listen to your body. We can learn a lot from what we need if we just listen. Meditating on it can help. Find a quiet place to sit. Close your eyes. Take a few deep, slow breaths, and listen to what your body is saying to you. Is your skin dry? You may need water. Does a muscle hurt? You may be overdue for a massage.
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
There are so many amazing escapes. I am fortunate to be able to travel to destination spas around the country for spa-related functions, allowing me to expand my horizons and learn from other experts in the field, often who come from a wide variety of cultural and wellness educational backgrounds.
Is there a particular wellness company or brand that truly impresses you with their efforts and why?
Over the last decade, we have strived to work with brands that are clean, green, and mirror our values. We also look for luxury and results-driven brands. There are so many companies— from the uniforms and furniture used in spas to the products used in our treatments. One line I have recently became impressed with is Babor, a long-standing company that has recently shown a reinvigorated dedication to progress. Over the past few years, they have reformulated their products to really showcase clean ingredients. Our members and guests love the new line.
What is your favorite self-care routine?
Listening to my body for one. Generally, I like to get up early and have the morning to snuggle with the dogs and enjoy some quiet time. Then we enjoy a nice walk before starting the day.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
I love to cook at home. The more stressed I feel, the more likely I find myself delving deeper into a complicated recipe that I can focus my full attention on. Those who know me best know that if a multi-course menu is on the table at my house, I am significantly less stressed than I was hours prior.
What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?
To be honest, my own health can be a challenge. As someone who lives with POTS, a condition characterized by an abnormally large increase in heart rate upon standing, certain days can be harder than others, and I try my best to not let it affect my day-to-day drive, sometimes to my own detriment. I’ve learned over the years that living with this illness makes it even more critical than ever to ensure I am taking the time necessary to focus on my health. Luckily, I have an incredible staff of people to support me.
What wellness-related books or authors do you recommend, and why?
I love to read and learn. I tend to pick a subject and go down a rabbit hole. Currently, I am reading the Art of Tea by Steve Schwartz. Schwartz’s journey to tea and his passion and creation of the Art of Tea is an excellent story. I am also into breathing rituals that include journaling. Cord Coen, the creator of Zents, has an engaging intentional breathing ritual experience that you can use while journaling.
How do you celebrate small victories?
I am a strong believer in doing one small thing for myself every day, even if it’s a cup of tea.
What brings you joy?
Life brings me joy. I am a glass-half-full kind of gal.
