Racked with excruciating back pain by his late 30s, with several of his businesses performing badly and a relationship falling apart, Patrick Wee, 45, realised his life was spiralling out of control.
Desperate for some change in pace, Wee tells FMT Lifestyle that he took up Ivengar Yoga and tai chi, and credits both for having taught him the value of slowing down so he could become a better version of himself.
He is the founder of Future of Wellness (FoW), an urban sanctuary that helps city folk like himself, downshift and regain their balance to live better and longer lives.
He explains that FoW was inspired by the Blue Zone Project, itself based on the lifestyle principles of those who enjoy remarkable longevity, and who live in the rare Blue Zones of the world.
“It’s about finding your own way to downshift, to move naturally and actively, and to be present and really connect when spending time with family and friends.”
The branding and marketing genius behind the popular HealthLand massage chain prior to setting-up FoW, Wee says he realised there is so much more to wellness than massage.
“Massage can only do so much. There are many other pain points that can be addressed and FoW is integrative and holistic in its approach to wellness.”
Besides traditional Borneo massage, FoW also offers yoga and meditation, sound healing, traditional Chinese medicine treatments, hair and beauty treatments, and its latest called Andulation. All these services are offered by Wee’s business partners, who each operate outlets within the premises of FoW.
Unlike the work, work, work mentality typical of city folk, Wee says “rest and recovery” is just as important as working hard and pushing yourself to achieve more.
“Professional athletes record better timing and rhythm and hence perform better when they’ve allocated time for rest and recovery.”
Practising what he preaches, Wee is up before dawn but makes it a point to wrap-up his day by late afternoon, avoiding rush hour traffic, so he can be home with his kids, two boys aged eight and ten, and a daughter who is 17.
“I’m up at 4.30am, raring to go. I set my intentions for the day, then practise 20-30 minutes of either yoga or tai chi. After prioritising my ‘to-do list’, I have breakfast with the kids then start my work day.”
He also never brings his work home unless absolutely necessary. “Even so, after dinner, I do not work, or take calls and am in bed by 10.30pm.”
He remembers to pace himself during the day no matter how hectic things can get, taking 10- to 15-minute power naps or meditating to recharge.
Apart from business, Wee says that many of the partners of FoW believe in giving back to society through CSR initiatives that truly matter.
“We believe in building communities. In helping make people more aware about the lives they’re living.”
For example, Wee explains that massage outlet Jari-Jari at FoW, supports Sabahans through offering job opportunities and training to the young who live in remote areas. Alice of Emma Lizs, another partner of FoW’s, conducts outreach programmes for the Orang Asli in Tapah and the Orang Asal in Sabah.
“We’re more inclined towards helping the indigenous peoples of Malaysia, whether it’s through our time or our money.
“Another initiative worth mentioning is the Future of Wellness Downshift Movement that’s more focussed on building communities and making people aware about their lives.”
FoW is located in Kota Damansara and is open daily from 10am to 11pm.