How wellness separates good leaders from great ones

There was a time when high performance meant outworking, outlasting and out-hustling everyone else, no matter the cost. But today’s leaders know better.

No longer a luxury or an afterthought, wellness is the very foundation of sustainable success. And those who treat it as such gain an undeniable edge – one that separates good leaders from truly great ones.

Recognizing this shift, Sydney-based SOMA Health & Wellness Club was created specifically for high performers who demand excellence in every part of their lives. Founded by Franco Atashi, Fitness Director, and Simon Anderson, Wellness Director, SOMA offers a radically different approach to fitness and wellbeing.

"We wanted to create a space that felt like an escape, not another thing on your to-do list," Anderson tells The CEO Magazine. "SOMA feels more like a five-star hotel than a gym."

Dim lighting, a signature scent and a concierge greeting you by name – every detail at SOMA is carefully crafted to help high performers switch off from the noise and reconnect with themselves, even if just for an hour.

Wellness: The new corporate currency

It wasn’t long ago when business success was measured in hours logged, deals closed over boozy lunches and the badge of honor that came with surviving on four hours of sleep. But that culture, Anderson says, is disappearing fast.

"Now, companies are encouraging employees to prioritize wellness. They’re realizing that sleep deprivation, anxiety and burnout are bad for business," he explains.

The data backs it up. Studies show that poor metabolic health – think high body fat, low muscle mass and chronic inflammation – is directly linked to cognitive decline, higher stress levels and plummeting productivity. That means leaders who neglect their wellbeing aren’t just risking their health, they’re compromising their performance.

"You’re going to feel sharper and more energized when you encourage health over hangovers," Anderson says. "It’s a no-brainer."

That’s why SOMA works closely with companies like Macquarie Bank to deliver in-office workshops on nutrition, posture, breathwork and movement.

"It’s about counterbalancing high-stress jobs with habits that keep you thriving, not just surviving," he explains.

The recovery revolution

One of the biggest shifts SOMA champions? The art of recovery – something high achievers have long ignored.

"There used to be this mentality of ‘Go hard and don’t stop’ especially among executives," Anderson points out. "But now people are realizing that if you don’t recover, you break down. Flexibility suffers, energy tanks and creativity drops."

At SOMA, recovery isn’t optional. Infrared saunas, ice baths and a focus on breathwork are woven into the routine, not as luxuries but as necessities. More than hype, research shows that sauna therapy can lower inflammation, improve heart health, speed up muscle recovery and even extend lifespan.

"There’s a lot more science behind it now – it’s not a gimmick," he says. "It’s about improving metabolic rates, getting rid of toxins and giving your brain and body time to reset."

For executives, Anderson shares that an hour of recovery can mean the difference between a reactive, short-sighted decision and a clear, strategic one.

Longevity lessons from the world’s top performers

However, CEOs aren’t the only ones beginning to favor this shift. SOMA has trained everyone from Cirque du Soleil performers to Hollywood’s Glen Powell and Rebel Wilson and electronic music group RÜFÜS DU SOL. And what they all have in common, Anderson says, is a rigorous commitment to balance.

"They’ll do ice baths straight after coming off stage. They have trainers traveling with them. They do breathwork before performing," he explains. "They realized that the old lifestyle of partying and burning out was holding them back."

Anderson says today’s elite performers – whether on the field, on stage or in the office – are optimizing everything: resistance training, mindfulness practices, sleep, recovery and some are even turning to IV supplementation.

"They’re looking down the road of longevity now," he says. "It’s not just about prolonging life; it’s about prolonging the quality of life. That’s the big thing."

Small shifts, big results

The most successful leaders don’t have more hours in the day, but they do have better wellness rituals. And SOMA has worked with enough C-suite leaders to know they don’t need another complicated regimen. They just need to weaponize the margins.

Five non-negotiables for leaders who want to outperform:

1.The 10-minute morning reset: Before you check your phone, do this: drink a glass of water, take three deep breaths and move your body for five minutes.

2. Treat recovery as a strategy: That 3pm energy crash isn’t your body asking you to power through, it’s a signal to reset. Twenty minutes in an infrared sauna beats another coffee. A proper breathwork session clears mental fog better than scrolling.

3. The performance plate: You wouldn’t put cheap fuel in a Ferrari. Focus on protein, fat and fiber at every meal. And, if you drink, save alcohol for truly special occasions.

4. The 8pm cut-off: Screen lights off by 8pm isn’t wellness virtue signaling – it’s ensuring tomorrow’s version of you shows up ready to win.

5. The weekend reboot: One full day completely off. Not ‘light emails’. Off. Your nervous system needs it more than you think.

The secret?

"None of this requires more time," Anderson says. "Just better allocation of the time you already have."