P: As host of OWN’s Our America, you get to
examine and share unique aspects of the American
culture. What has this experience taught you?
L: I’ve become far less judgmental of people since working
on Our America. Most people have a story to tell and most
people want to be heard. When you open your mind, it’s
incredible the things you learn.
P: As former host of National Geographic Explorer,
you traveled a lot. Can you give at least three most
inspiring places you’ve been to?
L: Nepal, Tibet and La Paz, Bolivia. All three places—ironically, are fairly high altitude. There’s something about
stretching the air within you that is invigorating.
P: If you could trade places with anyone (living or from
history), whom would you choose?
L: There’s no one I’d trade places with, but I’d love to be
[U.S. Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton for a month or so. She
has incredible command as secretary of state and I’d love the
opportunity to engage in real diplomacy.
You once said that you are “disenchanted with the apathy among
young people for what’s going on
around the world.” How can the spa
industry be a partner in your cause
and help shift apathy into empathy?
I think the spa industry can help
people try to achieve balance and
purpose. At times, it’s imperative
to just slow down, become more
contemplative and re-evaluate
one’s objective and purpose in life.
The spa industry is uniquely positioned to draw this out in people.
P: Apart from storytelling,
what is your greatest
strength?
L: Listening.
P: How do you live the spa
lifestyle?
L: Yoga and massage are
imperative for me. I live at
such a furious pace that I need
a massage—at least [once]
every week—to work out the
stress. Thai massage, in
particular, is my favorite
because the combination of
deep-tissue and stretching
really works me out. ■
BE SURE TO JOIN LISA LING
from 10 – 11:30 am on Tuesday,
Oct. 16, 2012 at the 2012 ISPA Conference & Expo. To register for
Conference and to learn more, visit ispa2012.com.
VISIT DIGITAL Pulse on experienceispa.com
to watch a trailer of one of Lisa Ling’s Our
America episodes.
August 2012
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PULSE 23