Wellness plays a pivotal role in the Neapolitan’s lifestyle.
Discover how local Naples entrepreneurs prioritize health and wellness in their personal and professional lives. Delve into their unique approaches to balancing work, well-being, and success, offering inspiring insights and practical tips for thriving in business and beyond.
SERGEI FEDOTOV — Pure Skill Fitness
Tell us about yourself and your business.
Ex pro hockey player / Managed The Ritz Carlton Spa/Fitness/ established Pure Skill Fitness in 2018.
What does health/wellness mean to you?
After playing pro ice hockey for over 15 years fitness is my medicine for pain free body and mind.
Are there any local organizations, fitness centers, or wellness groups that have had a significant impact on your health journey?
The Ritz Carlton Naples where I managed Fitness sculpted me in to a good leader “ON and OFF the clock” and Technogym fitness corporation showed me how exciting fitness should be with their amazing line of fitness equipment.
How do you balance physical fitness with mental well-being? Are there specific practices like meditation or mindfulness that are common in Naples?
At Pure Skill Fitness we focus on every component of physical exercise ( strength, endurance, flexibility, mobility). For longevity we offer Red light therapy, infrared sauna, and cold plunge. It is truly magical combination for feeling great and looking amazing.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations both within your family and community?
Pure Skill Fitness is now over 300 members strong in just 5 years. I started Pure Skill Fitness with one goal in mind and that to create healthier and happier community in Naples, which has been my home for 25 years.
David Crisp, Jr. - Gateway Hypnotherapy
I’ve never considered myself an entrepreneur, but I definitely have an entrepreneurial spirit and it guides my business strategy. Yet at my core, I have a passion for service to others. Owning a business that genuinely supports and elevates people both drives and recharges me. It’s a wonderful cycle of assist and reflect then helping some more. My journey has been a circuitous and unconventional career path. Life’s traumas and challenges have provided me elegant experiences that have allowed for transformation and healing. It has led me to assist others in moving past their own traumas and to enter a space of self discovery and personal evolution. Gateway Hypnotherapy is a unique, concierge hypnotherapy practice serving south Florida. My range extends from Naples, north to Sarasota and eastward to the Miami, Lauderdale and their metro areas. Gateway is disruptive in the hypnotherapy space because it provides standout benefits with a client-centric approach. Exclusive, concierge service offers clients a convenience and comfort factor when examining paralyzing issues such as anxiety, panic attacks or IBS. Such discomfort often inhibits movement, logistics and public exposure. Additionally, billing is not done on an hourly basis, but via a flat fee for the client's primary problem. This approach allows for a faster and more efficient path to resolution. It removes the seemingly endless "bill by hour" and “time’s up” model that is common in therapy. Moreover, I primarily use a "conversational hypnosis" technique that removes much of the inefficiencies of traditional hypnotherapy. I’ve found that this protocol provides a far quicker and higher quality resolution for clients. I specialize in complex issues like IBS, autoimmune disorders, cancer, chronic pain/fatigue, fibromyalgia, among others. Zoom calls are also available for clients outside of my travel range.
Dr. Douglas Freeley, M.D. —
Tell us about yourself and your business.
Physician, concierge Botox, facial filler and weight loss injections
What does health/wellness mean to you?
Maximizing physical, mental and spiritual life to thrive in our own life, provide for our families and contribute to our communities.
How do you balance physical fitness with mental well-being? Are there specific practices like meditation or mindfulness that are common in Naples?
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Setting realistic expectations. Finding activities and friends that produce joy.
What are trends you are seeing that indicate the future of wellness?
As research advances we'll see a continuous refining of nutritional guidelines. We'll be able to control factors such as obesity in more effective ways and bring many people back into realistic exercise that can be tailored to them individually.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future generations both within your family and community?
Question everything. Become more self aware and realize that helping others and our community nothing we do will last.
Does the Naples environment—beaches, nature trails—play a role in your mental wellness routine?
Kayaking is an amazing new addition to my appreciation of the amazing place that we live in. Acknowledging the beauty of our creation is always humbling.
Michelle Avola-Brown — Naples Pathways Coalition
Tell us about yourself and your business.
I'm the executive director of Naples Pathways Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group working for safe biking and walking. I'm married to the best man I know, have two grown sons who make me proud every day, and an adorable 95-pound rescue dog named Sailor.
What does health/wellness mean to you?
To me, health is our foundation, where physical vitality and functionality enable us to live without chronic pain, fatigue, or illness. For those of us who do fight these issues, eating nourishing foods, staying active, getting good sleep, and keeping our bodies strong are that much more important. Wellness is about creating habits that allow us to thrive, feel connected, and handle stress and challenges in positive ways. Our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health are all crucial to truly being well.
Are there any local organizations, fitness centers, or wellness groups that have had a significant impact on your health journey?
There is an incredible community in Naples, especially among the active community. Naples Pathways Coalition, and I personally am blessed for the partnerships and friendships between groups like Naples Velo, Gulf Coast Runners, and Naples Walking Club, many of whom are also Naples Pathways members. We encourage and protect one another and enjoy doing the activities we love together!
Tammy Cobb — Body Contouring Specialist
Tell us about yourself and your business.
My name is Tammy Cobb and I am a Body Contouring Specialist. I work for the brand CoolSculpting as the National clinical trainer and I also see patients and perform treatments at Riverchase Dermatology in Naples and Fort Myers. I have performed over 4,000 result based treatments. I freeze people's fat for a living! I have lived in Naples for 12 years from Chicago and I have 3 cool teenage and adult boys.
How do you maintain healthy habits on a daily basis?
On a daily basis I practice clean eating (with an occasional treat or glass of wine!) I've been learning to meditate (I'm not very good but I am trying) Reading, relaxing, resting and time enjoying my work, family and friends.
How do you balance physical fitness with mental well-being? Are there specific practices like meditation or mindfulness that are common in Naples?
Mindfulness practices are becoming more abundant in Naples. There are so many great places to explore yoga, meditation, and spa services.
What are trends you are seeing that indicate the future of wellness?
As a trainer for Allergan Aesthetics, I have the honor of going into medical spa practices to train staff members and I have been visiting a lot of "hybrids' or one stop shops where you can get anything from injectables and fillers, weight loss, body contouring, IV drips, and classes in a relaxing spa like environment.
Dr. Walter Sweeney — Azul Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa
Tell us about yourself and your business.
I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and my journey into medicine began during my college years when I realized my passion for helping others. After completing my formal training, I chose to specialize in aesthetic surgery because it allows me to combine technical precision with artistic vision. I enjoy working with patients to enhance their confidence through facial rejuvenation, breast procedures, and body contouring. At Azul Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa, we focus on delivering personalized care and helping patients achieve their ideal version of beauty and wellness.
What does health/wellness mean to you?
To me, health and wellness mean striving to feel our best at every stage of life, empowering us to fully engage with what matters most. While the definition may vary from person to person, the impact of prioritizing well-being is universally transformative.
How do you maintain healthy habits on a daily basis?
For me, healthy habits have become second nature. Early in my journey, staying organized was essential to maintaining balance alongside a busy academic schedule. Now, it’s about consistency and self-compassion. Everyone has off days, but it’s important to remember that you can always refocus and get back on track with one positive step forward.
Angela Campbell — Liquivida Wellness
Tell us about yourself and your business.
I’m Angela, the owner of Liquivida Wellness in Naples. At Liquivida, we focus on enhancing overall health and vitality through services like IV therapy, Ozone therapy, weight management solutions, peptide therapy and other cutting-edge wellness treatments. My passion is helping people feel their best and empowering them to take charge of their health.
What does health/wellness mean to you?
Health and wellness mean living a balanced life—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s about giving your body and mind the care they need to thrive while finding joy in the process. For me, it’s also about helping others discover their own path to wellness.
How would you describe the overall lifestyle in Naples? Would you say it's health-conscious?
Naples has an incredible focus on health and well-being. From active outdoor lifestyles to a wealth of fitness centers and wellness clinics, the community values physical and mental health. It’s inspiring to see so many people prioritize longevity and vitality.
What are trends you are seeing that indicate the future of wellness?
One significant trend is the growing interest in GLP-1 and GLP-2 therapies for weight management and metabolic health. These advancements highlight the shift towards personalized and science-driven approaches to wellness.
Elizabeth Gorman — The Vitamin Bar
Tell us about yourself and your business.
I have always had a passion for health, wellness, athletics and education. I have Masters Degrees in both Business and Nutrition and I am thrilled to offer my clinical nutrition practice through my business, Elizabeth Gorman Nutrition & Fitness. Fitness wise, I swam competitively through college, I am a blackbelt in karate, and I am currently pursuing competitive body building. Additionally, I started The Vitamin Bar in March of 2021. After experiencing a mobile IV service in Park City, Utah, during the peak of 2020, I realized what a lucrative and necessary business it was. Being non-medical, it was a learning curve for me. I am now a phlebotomist and certified to administer IVs myself.
What does health/wellness mean to you?
Health and wellness is about longevity and enjoying life to the fullest. Being healthy is such a blessing. My mantra is, we are only given one body. Why would we not want to do everything we can to keep that body in the best shape possible? This includes both physical and mental well-being. Health and wellness comes in so many shapes and sizes, there is truly something for everyone and I enjoy helping my clients navigate a path that is true to them.
How do you balance physical fitness with mental well-being?=
I am a very ambitious person so the hardest thing for me to do is take a break. Learning to understand your body and knowing when you need to rest comes with practice, especially when you are body building and trying to build muscle. My favorite thing to do is unwind by hanging out with my daughter who is almost 2 and a half. I make sure to put my phone away so I can focus on her without any distractions. Additionally, my favorite class is restorative yoga at Yoga House.