Physical activity is intrinsic to wellness, and it is no surprise that fitness has long been a major segment and a key driver of the wellness industry. In Move to be Well: The Global Economy of Physical Activity, GWI estimated that global consumers spent an estimated $108.6 billion (an average of $384 per participant) on doing fitness activities in 2018. When most people think about…
The recent landmark court ruling ordering Shell to accelerate its decarbonization plan and the remarkable related battle that just pitted Engine No.1 against ExxonMobil (in which the small activist fund holds a mere 0.02%) is further proof the writing is on the wall for all large greenhouse emitters. The wider lesson: Any company in any industry unprepared for the accelerating radical energy transition is bound…
Practices such as yoga and tai chi have commanded a following for thousands of years, but the mass, worldwide adoption of mindful movement is a relatively recent phenomenon. Over the last couple of decades, many of these ancient or long-standing practices have been co-opted by the world of fitness, adapted to appeal to modern gym-goers. Alongside this trend, our concept of exercise and fitness is…
Technology is arguably the biggest force driving change in the physical activity economy, bringing new business models and methods of participation, new ways to reach customers, and new kinds of devices and equipment. Technology is transforming how consumers engage with all types of fitness and physical activity, enabling us to track our own metrics, monitor performance and progress, access programs and services on demand, and…
A new randomized controlled trial in the New England Journal of Medicine found that two sessions (three weeks apart) of 25 mg of psilocybin had at least as significant an impact on depressive symptoms as taking one of the most common SSRIs (escitalopram/Lexapro) daily for six weeks. The psilocybin group also reported fewer side effects and other positive emotional impacts. As the lead researcher put it,…
There is no longer any doubt that the future is hybrid. It is now everywhere: hybrid work (worldwide and across industries, 9 out of 10 organizations are switching to it); hybrid events (a given); hybrid food (a protein mix of animal cells and plants); and hybrid transportation (fostered by the dramatic improvement in battery technology and extending now to shipping). The list goes on. It…
