91. Steve Nygren, Chuck Heath, Deepak Chopra – Two Pioneers & an Icon Reimagine Wellness Real Estate

In its latest Wellness Real Estate (WRE) research report released in May, the Global Wellness Institute made the bold prediction that the WRE market will grow a whopping 15.8% annually from 2023 to 2028 when it will approach the trillion-dollar mark. In this episode, we’ll not only talk to two pioneers in the wellness community movement — Steve Nygren, the visionary founder of Serenbe near Atlanta, Georgia, and Chuck Heath, a veteran of real estate development who is turning to wellness to create AMEYALLI near Deer Valley Utah – but also the mind/body icon himself, Dr. Deepak Chopra, as we discuss WRE communities as longevity lifestyle labs.

Steve Nygren’s journey began two decades ago when he decided to create Serenbe, a fresh food and fresh air-filled, and forest-fringed community nestled in the heart of Georgia. His goal was simple yet profound: to reconnect people with nature and with each other. Serenbe, with its hamlets, organic farms, art, and educational centers, offers a model of how communities were designed a century ago before urban sprawl disconnected us from the natural world. During the pandemic, Serenbe’s design, which encourages outdoor living and social interaction through features like front porches, proved its value by helping residents maintain a sense of community and well-being.

You’ll hear why Steve’s approach to wellness real estate is deeply rooted in biophilic design—a philosophy that integrates natural elements into architecture and urban planning. He’ll also share tips for other developers and some of the amazing health benefits they’ve seen with residents over two decades.

Chuck Heath explains why he chose to put wellness at the core of his legacy project. You’ll hear the “firsts” he’s accumulating with AMEYALLI the development including the first WRE built around historic hot springs, the first public/private partnership at a WRE — including donating 50 acres of land for a geological preserve — and creating a one-of-a-kind partnership with maybe the best-known name in wellness – Deepak Chopra & the Chopra Foundation.

With nature-forward architecture rooted in sustainability, the community’s centerpiece will be a 50,000-square-foot Wellbeing Center built over a geothermal lake. Besides offering treatments and experiences guided by Chopra’s legacy teachings, AMEYALLI will be the North American headquarters for the Chopra Foundation’s research on longevity and health span and the location for their select special events, retreats and think tanks.

Both projects focus on intergenerational wellness, and both demonstrate what Chuck says is his favorite thing about the Global Wellness Summit community – a willingness for even direct competitors to share best practices, since sharing makes everyone better off. And, as a champion of physical and mental health should, Dr. Chopra challenges us to consider wellness communities as the lifestyle longevity labs of the future.

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Hosted by Kim Marshall

Produced by NOVA Media