Catherine Warren is a trailblazer who has redefined what it means to lead in spa and wellness—with clarity, conviction, and a refreshing dose of wit. From early days in group fitness to shaping global wellness programs, her path has been guided by curiosity, creativity, and an unshakable belief in the power of ritual. She brings elegance and energy to every room, championing wellness as both a calling and a craft. Red Flower had the joy of connecting with Catherine for a conversation rooted in intention—exploring the beauty of daily care, the future of the industry, and the deeper meaning behind how we choose to show up.
RF: What first inspired you to pursue a career in the spa and wellness industry?
CW: I came to wellness the way many of us did. Through the back door, wearing spandex. I started in group exercise, teaching everything from step aerobics to Pilates, and Yoga, long before it was trendy. I studied yoga in India and Thailand, learned Sanskrit, and even wove that learning into my graduate studies in Dravidian temple architecture. My academic and creative passions collided beautifully with wellness, and the industry has had my heart ever since. I still teach Spin whenever I can because I genuinely love it. There is nothing quite like the energy of leading a room, the sweat, the music, the shared experience.
RF: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your approach to wellness?
CW: The pivotal moment for me was realizing that in many leadership roles, especially early on, you are often completely on your own. I rose through management quickly at a young age in an industry still in its infancy and found myself, more often than not, mentorless and lost at sea, quite literally. It was a wild ride of trial, error, and learning by doing. On land, I was frequently the only one in the room advocating for spa, salon, and fitness as revenue centers and serious departments led by serious professionals. I learned never to apologize for my profession, and to never allow my staff to do so either. I knew instinctively that wellness was not a trend but the future of hospitality and real estate. I was determined to make sure it would always be treated with the respect and legitimacy it deserves.
RF: How has your philosophy on wellness evolved over the years?
CW: My philosophy has evolved because life does. Taking care of yourself over fifty requires a little more effort, a little more humor, and frankly, a lot more budget. I know I am not a silent retreat kind of girl. I love the noise of cities, walking the streets, looking in shop windows, watching people, tasting local food. I love training teams, attending our industry events, and learning from our partners, because being around passionate people makes me feel healthier, happier, and sharper. I like ensuring that business negotiations are safe and secure for all parties involved. I like the long game. I believe wellness is as much about intellectual stimulation and creativity as it is about physical health. For me, it is not about escaping life. It is about fully engaging in it.
RF: What challenges have you faced as a woman in this industry, and how have you overcome them?
CW: Like many women in leadership, I have experienced the dismissiveness that can sometimes surround roles in spa, wellness, and fitness. Work that is too often misunderstood or undervalued as soft or secondary. I have been underestimated, spoken over, and have watched my ideas echoed by others without acknowledgment. These moments, while discouraging at times, have never deterred me. They have made me more prepared, more thoughtful, and more committed to standing my ground not only for myself but for my teams and my peers.
Throughout my career, I have also learned that challenges can come from many directions. Adversity does not always present itself in the ways we expect, nor does it always originate from traditional hierarchies of power. I have encountered a wide range of difficult dynamics, from above, beside, and below, and I have learned, sometimes through failure, to navigate them with professionalism, directness, and care.
I have stood up to bullies, and I have advocated consistently for the respect and recognition that our industry and its professionals deserve. I lead unapologetically as a woman and take pride in showing up fully and authentically. Most of all, I am proud of the leader I have become and the role I play in helping shape an industry where others are empowered to use their voice, stand confidently in their work, and thrive.
RF: What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership roles in the spa and wellness space?
CW: Be bold. Be prepared. Be kind. When you fall, stand back up. Never apologize for your intelligence, your style, your femininity, your ideas, your creativity, or your standards. Lead your way, not someone else’s version of what leadership should look like. Ask questions. Challenge the narrative. Support other women openly. And whatever you do, make sure you are enjoying yourself along the way. It is wellness, after all.
RF: What are your favorite Red Flower rituals for self-care?
CW: The Kinmoxei Wild Lime Silk Oil is my ultimate self-care ritual. It smells better than anything else on earth. It absorbs perfectly into the skin without any greasiness and leaves you feeling like your best self. It is simple, effective, and absolutely beautiful, which is how I believe self-care should feel.
Photo Credit: Annette Lee Photography
RF: Is there a particular Red Flower product, scent, or ritual that resonates with you most? If so, why?
CW: My favorite Red Flower candles are the Indian Jasmine and Spanish Gardenia. I love the attention to detail; the little matches, the dried flowers, the way every piece feels considered and special. It is not just a candle. It is a candle that comes with amenities. To me, that is five-star. That is what sets Red Flower apart. It is the elegance of thoughtful design that makes something simple feel extraordinary.
The Spa & Wellness Industry
RF: What trends are currently exciting you in the wellness space?
CW: What excites me most right now is where ancient rituals, folklore, and modern science meet. The 2025 trends I love are proving that much of the old wisdom was right all along. The so-called "woo woo" is now aligning with high tech and evidence-based medicine. It is not magic. It is research catching up with tradition. This thoughtful merging of history and innovation makes wellness feel both deeply rooted and completely relevant.
RF: How do you approach creating an immersive and memorable spa experience for guests?
CW: It begins with the team. Associates must feel invested, well-trained, and have a sense of pride and ownership in what they do. I do not believe that the inmates should run the prison, but I absolutely believe that people need structure, discipline, and clear expectations — alongside the opportunity to have a voice. The spa must be guest-centric. We are there to serve, and service is an art. I believe in storytelling at every touchpoint. Every scent, every word, every detail should work together to tell a cohesive story that makes the guest feel seen, understood, and valued. Personalization is not a trend to me. It is the heart of true hospitality. I also believe in formality. Formality creates healthy, respectful boundaries between guests, associates, and ownership, and those boundaries allow luxury service to flourish with grace and consistency.
RF: What is one wellness practice you believe more people should incorporate into their daily lives?
CW: Forget chasing balance. Focus on giving yourself a little grace. Worry less about the perfect workout, the perfect meal, or the perfect schedule. Be kinder to yourself. Shut out the noise. Do the task at hand. And if the gym did not happen today or you ate half a pie, move on. If there is no love without forgiveness, then wellness begins with forgiving ourselves.
Holistic Well-being & Inspiration
RF: How do you personally recharge and maintain balance in your life?
CW: I recharge through movement, through meaningful work, and through the people and animals I love. I still have my parents and my mother who is in her 80s, and I am so grateful for that. I love my husband who is my true friend. I am so in awe of our exceptional kids. I find peace at home with my inside cat Mimi La Fée and my feral cat, The Chupacabra, who has a spirit as strong as his name. My garden also keeps me grounded. My prickly pear cactus named Aloe You Very Much, huge tree orchid named Beverly and my Princess Diana rose bush are all treated like cherished members of the household. I find renewal in creativity, whether through drawing, painting, writing, learning, or mentoring others. Watching the people I have trained and led go on to thrive is one of the greatest forms of balance and fulfillment I know.
RF: Can you share a book, podcast, or mentor that has had a significant impact on your career?
CW: Yael Alkalay (Red Flower CEO & Founder) remains one of my greatest inspirations and mentors. Watching her lead with intelligence, elegance, and strength, never losing herself, has shaped my own view of leadership. Like a celestial deity, she takes the time to see, listen, and care for others when she has every excuse not to. Seeing her engage confidently with some of the most powerful figures in the business world, while always remaining grounded in grace, is something I will carry with me forever.
I also find constant inspiration in great storytelling. Whether in literature, podcasts, Audible, TV series or film, I believe words have the power to educate, to connect, and to heal.
RF: What self-care rituals do you prioritize in your daily routine?
CW: Self-care is essential because how we show up reflects how seriously we take our work and ourselves. I prioritize the basics that work: skincare, hydration, movement, and the discipline to rest when I need it. I also love to steam, slay, and cryo. I work in an industry where appearance is part of the expectation, and I came up through fitness, so I understand that pressure. I choose to meet those expectations on my own terms, with routines that keep me feeling healthy, confident, and ready to lead well.