And that ’ s how I think I ’ ve thought about life ever since . I don ’ t just dream big for myself , but I dream big for others . Through that philosophy , I ’ ve seen myself , the nonprofit and the people we serve win big . I ask : How can I dream bigger , and win bigger ? To ISPA , I am fired up to ask that one single question that changed my life . Thinking about starting and ending that way so that , collectively , all of us can dream big together .

Pulse : You have bridged the seemingly different worlds of MMA and philanthropic advocacy . What are the common threads ? JW : In MMA , you have to be a well-rounded fighter . You have to have different tools and skills . And yes , you want to be world-class at one or two of them . But you have to be proficient and efficient in all areas . I take that approach in our philanthropic methodology , that we can ’ t just serve a community in one area . For a community to be healthy , happy and thriving , they need some basic needs met . Land to call their own , or a place to lay their head ; water , food , housing , education , health care and sustainable livelihoods . That makes a well-rounded nonprofit , cause , initiative and community . It ’ s not just community development in one area , it ’ s holistic community empowerment .

Pulse : In your efforts to bring fresh water to the Mbuti and Batwa Pygmy people , sustainability is a key focus . How can the spa industry , with its emphasis on sustainability , contribute to broader humanitarian and community efforts ? JW : A little known , almost-secret in the world of water is the staggering number of broken wells in Africa . That ’ s because , for the most part , it ’ s not done sustainably .

JUSTIN WREN will be the Power Session speaker on Day Three of the 2024 ISPA Conference . Come to hear his inspirational keynote address on the morning of Thursday , April 25 .

– JUSTIN WREN

20 PULSE n MARCH 2024