THE Well Cofounder Rebecca Parekh pivoted from finance to wellness

Just a block away from the crowds on 14th Street, far removed from the pervasive NYC soundtrack of jackhammering and honking, and beyond the stress of endless texts from your job, your partner or your boss is The Well. Designed to be an oasis of Zen in the middle of Manhattan, visitors are greeted by a tranquil, yet cool design defined by pale hues, natural materials, and curved silhouettes. There is even a soothing signature scent designed by a bio-alchemist. Anyone can peruse their beautifully edited shop selling holistic, indie skincare, jewelry and books, or grab a bite at their organic restaurant. However, only the wellness social clubs members, can step just beyond the public spaces to access a stunning 18,000 square-foot mecca for all things healthy.

Anyone who has even dipped a toe into the world of alternative health practitioners knows that it often requires extensive research as most traditional doctors arent versed in therapies such as acupuncture, Craniosacral therapy, or Ayurvedic medicine. Another hurdle is that different experts often provide conflicting advice on supplements, food, and exercise, leaving people more confused than when they began. As more and more Americans turn to alternative medicine to combat issues ranging from digestive health, sleep, and even mental health, it is challenging to know to navigate the wellness landscape.

Rebecca Parekh was once one of those stressed out finance workers, plagued by health and sleep issues and looking for solutions beyond anxiety medicines and antibiotics. Over the course of 10 years, Parekh and her CoFounders Sarrah Hallock and Kane Sarhan spent time envisioning a one-stop shop for people to connect with the best experts in wellness, who would all working together to achieve a healthier mind and body.

Memberships are by invitation only, and cost $375 a month ($210 if you are under age 32). They include a monthly health coaching session, unlimited meditation and yoga classes, weekly programming, and access to their functional medicine, Aruyvedic and Chinese Medicine practitioners. Rather than take meetings over cocktails, members can talk shop at the reflexology lounge, sip complimentary bone broth in between energy healing sessions, or consult with a sports therapist.

In advance of the opening of The Well this week, we spoke to Parekh about how she made the leap from finance to wellness and what inspired the cutting edge health center.

Sara Bliss: You started your career in finance. What drew you to that world initially?

Rebecca Parekh: Finance was not the original planI studied Biological Anthropology in college and wanted to work with orangutans in Borneo. But I had the opportunity to interview for an internship at Deutsche Bank. I was so inspired by the people I met that I happily accepted an offerand then stayed for 10 years. I found the work to be intellectually stimulating and I really loved how challenged I felt.

Bliss: What made you leave?

Parekh: I was working in structured credit during the 2008 financial crisis, which was intense to say the least. I loved my job, but my life felt out of balance and one-dimensional. I didnt feel emotionally connected to my work and was craving something more purpose-driven. I had always been interested in politics, activism and non-profit work, so I started giving thought to other industries. It was scary because I didnt really have a plan and a lot of really smart people advised me not to leave without one. I had to trust my instincts, though, and knew that only with space and time to think could I figure out the right next step for my life. I took the leap and resigned in the spring of 2011.

Bliss: What prep did you do to pivot into the wellness world?

Parekh: Although my Deutsche Bank experience wasnt directly transferable, a lot of the skills I learnedunderstanding financial models, negotiating contracts, and thinking strategicallyall applied to the work I did in the non-profit sector and then my role as COO for Deepak Chopra. I pushed myself to learn as much as possible. I voraciously studied healthcare trends and research reports. I met with doctors and wellness thought-leaders and read 2000-year-old texts on yoga. In addition, I completed two 200-hour yoga teacher training, and took an Ayurveda course at the Open Center.There were definitely moments of doubt along the way, but my passion, excitement and curiosity propelled me forward.

Bliss: What inspired you to cofound The Well? How did the idea come about?

Parekh: In early 2009, I wasnt sleeping well and I was getting sick all the time. The options presented to me were antibiotics, anxiety drugs and sleeping pillsnone of which appealed to me. I knew there was a better way to address it, one that didnt rely on drugs. In the fall of 2009, I was headed to a work conference in Arizona and my friend and colleague suggested we go to a destination spa in Sedona on our way there. That weekend changed my life. I threw my back out the night before we left and could barely move when we arrived. It forced me to be still and slow down. I received really restorative treatments like Craniosacral massage and I ate well, slept well and listened to inspiring conversations. In three short days I felt revitalized and energized in a way I didnt know was possible. I sat in the meditation room that last day and thought to myself, I have to figure out how to bring this to New York.

How to find Zen during a busy day--the Meditation Room at The WELL, NYC

Bliss: What do you think The Well offers that isn't already out there?

Parekh: With so many different offerings in the health and wellness space, people find themselves running around town and often receiving conflicting advice. It can be both time-consuming and confusing. At The Well, our expert team of integrative medicine doctors, health coaches and practitioners work together to provide a personalized offering. They help our members consider how all areas of ones life are impacting their well-being, then develop a customized plan to meet their needs. Together, the team draws upon a wide array of disciplines including Chinese Medicine, Functional Medicine and Ayurveda. This model makes wellness easier, accessible and more enjoyable.

Bliss: How did you take the concept from idea to implementation?

Parekh: The idea had been there since 2009, but it wasnt until 2015 that I decided to really go for it. The first year was a lot of research and development. I was meeting different doctors and practitioners, asking questions and figuring out if they would come together and practice medicine in this new and integrated way. There was a lot to learn on the legal side as wellNew York has very strict requirements on how medical practices can be operated and managed. I also started looking at real estate. My partners and I started working together full time and they both left really big careers to jump off this cliff with me. I dont think we even knew what we were in for at that time! Weve raised a total of $18 million to date across both our seed round and our Series A.

Bliss: What advice do you have to other people who want to make a career pivot?

Parekh: Embrace the not knowing. Its ok to not have it all figured out. Start with a picture of where you want to go and then draw the path of how youll get there. Try not to be too attached to one outcome. I really believe this mindset matters.

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The Well: Helping Stressed Out Workers Find Zen - Forbes