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The Wellness Questionnaire With Sheila Bracewell, Director of Spa & Wellness for The Woodcliff Hotel & Spa

Discover how this spa director prioritizes her health and wellness
Heather Mikesell

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Photo Credit: Brandon Vick

With more than 25 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, Sheila Bracewell, director of spa & wellness for The Woodcliff Hotel & Spa (Fairport, NY), got her start in California, where she pivoted from a career in the travel industry as a group travel consultant and manager to become a sports massage therapist and trainer. Working in various spa settings, Bracewell eventually moved up the ranks, serving as spa lead for 70 massage therapists at Burke Williams Day Spa. Later, she held the role of director of spa & fitness for brands such as Hilton and Marriott. Her passion for wellness, fitness, and work-life balance made the spa industry an ideal fit for her values. During the pandemic, Bracewell took advantage of the opportunity to diversify her skill set, recertifying as an ACE personal trainer. In her role at The Woodcliff Hotel & Spa she is focused on elevating the guest experience. Here, she shares how she maintains her own wellbeing.

What does wellness mean to you?

Wellness, to me, is a deeply personal journey. It encompasses physical fitness and staying active, which energizes my body and mind. It also means finding balance between work and life, ensuring that neither overshadows the other. Being kind to myself during tough times is essential; it’s about recognizing my needs and practicing self-compassion. Lastly, I embrace positive affirmations each morning, which helps set a positive tone for the day ahead and reinforce my goals. Overall, wellness is about nurturing every aspect of my being—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

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

Every morning, I go outside on my deck and do breathwork, gratitude, positive affirmations, and stretching. Then, at the end of my shower, I do a cold water “reset” by dumping a gallon of cold water over my head. It is amazing. Cold water stimulates the vagus nerve, which resets the brain and reduces stress.

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

Anything outside. Get out in nature. Upstate New York is amazing for this. Hiking, walking, biking, and playing pickleball. In the winter, I love Orangetheory and the YMCA, which has something for everyone. It’s an all-around good choice. As a certified personal trainer, I also create a lot of my own home workouts.

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

I love all kinds of fish. Salmon, in particular, has so many positives. It is a complete protein— meaning it contains all the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth and repair. It is also high in vitamin D and omega-3s among others. I like to bake it. It’s super simple. I just season it, put some slices of lemon on it, wrap it in tin foil, and bake it. Then, I add a vegetable like asparagus, a little rice, or a maybe a baked potato. It’s easy and perfect.

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

I have an Enagic Kangen water machine, so I get the best possible water going into my body daily. 

What is your greatest wellness achievement?

Recertifying as a personal trainer and functional fitness expert in 2020 and launching my own personal brand, “Workout with WI Wahine” to help others with their journey.

What person in wellness do you most admire and why?

I admire Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reese immensely. They are truly inspiring figures in the wellness world. As longevity experts, their approaches to fitness, breathwork, and cold therapies are groundbreaking. I had the chance to meet and spend some time with them in Kauai, and it was truly an honor. They embody the principles they promote, showing that a holistic lifestyle can lead to remarkable health and vitality. Plus, their venture into Laird Superfoods highlights their commitment to sharing wellness with others. Their backgrounds—Laird as an all-around waterman and Gabby as a professional volleyball player—demonstrate the power of dedication and passion in achieving peak wellness at any age.

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

The best piece of wellness advice I ever received came from Gabby Reese: “Your fitness journey is personal. You only have to answer to yourself. What do YOU want out of it?” It may seem simple, but it’s a powerful reminder to focus on my own goals and desires. This perspective helps me stay grounded and motivated, reinforcing that my wellness journey is about enhancing my quality of life. It’s a great way to remind myself to prioritize what truly matters to me, rather than getting caught up in comparisons or external pressures.

Do you have a secret health or wellness tip you would like to share?

Dump cold water over your head! 

What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?

I go to a cabin on a lake with family every summer. It is serene and stunning. My favorite thing is there is no expectation on what we are doing and when. We fish, we swim, we jet ski, and we enjoy meals, the fire pit, and sleeping in. We laugh and enjoy each other’s company with no agenda. Any time you can get away with no agenda or no expectations, that’s when you will enjoy it the most. I try to do all my trips that way.

What is your go-to for de-stressing?

Working out. A good workout should take you mentally to a different place. It also gives you a great sense of accomplishment. I like to lift weights or do functional strength work. As we age, strength is very important to stay active.

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

It’s always eating. I love food, all kinds of food! I am not willing to settle for bland or boring just for the sake of losing weight. I would rather workout more and have the pizza! I do track what I eat to curb the number of calories I am eating daily. Everything in moderation.

How do you celebrate small victories?

All small victories lead to bigger ones. Small victories keep things positive!

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.