When Lauren Pronger describes her work, she doesn’t call herself a travel agent or a consultant. In her words, she is a “wellness travel matchmaker.”
Pronger begins by listening. Not to surface-level destination preferences or bucket list ideas, but to how her client wants to change.
“Wellness travel, in particular, covers a very wide range,” she said. “It goes from beginners who know nothing about wellness to next-level biohacking individuals. I need to be intently listening to what their needs and desires are and then travel match them to the best property.”
Her agency, Well Inspired Travels, was built in partnership with her husband Chris Pronger, a two-time gold medalist and National Hockey League Hall of Famer. The agency was built on their joint approach to pair travelers with an authentic experience that will change their life in a way that is truly needed.
The Growth of Wellness
My goal when I traveled as a young woman, as a mother and as a wife was always about exploring the world to become better when I return home.
Pronger saw a niche for wellness travel years ago, before it became a priority for many travelers. She views the boom through two different lenses: as a certified nutritionist and educated wellness practitioner, and as a luxury travel advisor.
“You want to listen to where they are and what they're open to expanding on and begin to take baby steps, which is a beautiful thing,” Pronger said. “I really walk hand in hand with my clients on their wellness journey. If I can push them out of their comfort zone to go to this property, try this healing modality, and offer a promise that this is something they’re going to implement in everyday life, they are going to be a better individual.”
For her, travel has always been about learning and growing in an effort to optimize her life, not escape from it.
“My goal when I traveled as a young woman, as a mother and as a wife was always about exploring the world to become better when I return home,” she said.
Pronger carries this philosophy into her work as well. If a trip introduces a new way of moving, cooking or healing, she believes it should be integrated back home.
How She Integrates the Superwell Method Into Client Trips
Pronger’s advising process is shaped by her Superwell method, built on eight foundational pillars. These include well-aging, optimal sleep, balanced flow, emotional wellness, nature connection, nourishing nutrition, biorhythm and mindfulness, and soulful connection.
When designing trips for her clients, Pronger is not thinking about amenities or packages. Instead, she is mapping out her client’s optimal Superwell journey.
“[Some clients] don’t even know where to start — they are so burnt out and need a reset and a vacation,” she said. “I listen to the cues.”
Even though Pronger has a large Instagram following, her client base began organically, first with a private network of professional athletes’ wives and family members. And gradually, the word began to spread about her work, and the market began to pick up.
Most of her clients are high-performing individuals, from professional athletes to executives. Her clients come “to learn about how to calm their central nervous system,” and Pronger matches them with a property that will teach proper breathwork mechanics and meditation to implement in their daily routines.
Often, when clients return home, Pronger will help source a practitioner for clients to continue their Superwell journey outside of their vacation.
“I really want clients to keep the momentum going,” she said.
How She Chooses the Right Property
Pronger will not send her clients anywhere that she does not stand behind.
She is asking the property questions that most travelers wouldn’t think to ask: Are juices fresh or boxed? Are ingredients locally sourced from a garden, or local market?
One of her favorite properties that is local to most of her client base is SHA Wellness in Costa Mujeres, Mexico.
“I believe in their mission, and they do everything first class,” Pronger said. “They have incredible doctors and an incredible team. From the nutritionist to the spa attendant, all are very knowledgeable. When I go to different properties, I'm constantly listening to the staff and how educated they are.”
Pronger’s goal is to stay on the cutting edge of what is greatest in wellness. Her mission through Well Inspired Travels and Superwell comes down to the belief that travel needs to “move the needle” so clients can return home as a better version of themselves.
“Why the heck not,” she said, “When you're traveling, you're getting off the grid, and need to be intentional about wanting to improve yourself.”
