Mindful Living in the Eastern Townships: A Spotlight on Spa Eastman, with Founder, Jocelyna Dubuc

Where tranquility meets transformation, we sit down with Spa Eastman's visionary founder, Jocelyna Dubuc. As a beacon of holistic wellness, Joselina shares how her journey from academia to Ayurveda reshaped her, and in turn, the lives of many seeking solace and health. Our conversation reveals paths to inner peace, the profound impact of our dietary choices, the benefits of detox and thermal therapy, and the oft-overlooked art of living that Jocelyna has woven into every facet of the spa experience.

Today's episode is more than a mere recount of a wellness retreat; it's an exploration of the symbiotic relationship between food, therapy, and well-being. We immerse in the potent changes that occur when one adopts a natural, anti-inflammatory diet, spotlighting the stories of those who’ve found relief from chronic conditions by connecting with nature's pantry and embracing the therapeutic dance of hot and cold. Join us for a discussion that promises not just insight, but inspiration for those on a quest for a more holistic, health-filled life.

 Spa Eastman 

Designated "Canada’s Best Wellness Retreat 2022" for the second time by the World Spa Awards, Spa Eastman offers unique programs that have earned international recognition as one of the leading spas in the world. A pioneer in the wellness industry, the spa offers packages and all-inclusive ‘retreats’ that allow guests to recharge their batteries and escape the daily grind, in a gentle, pleasurable manner. The overarching themes of the spa’s offerings are how to achieve a balanced lifestyle and the importance of following good health practices. These are outlined below: interact with dedicated, professionals (naturopathy, kinesiology); enjoy innovative, focused therapies (more than 40 body treatments using natural products); Attend mind-and-body workshops and activities; boost your energy by using the thermotherapy facilities and exploring 15 km of nature trails and savor the flavors of our renowned Tonic Cuisine™. All amid a stunning, natural environment where well-being is front and center!

RESOURCES

• Spa Eastman: Home | Spa Eastman (spa-eastman.com)
•  Introduction to Thermotherapy: https://www.spa-eastman.com/en/blog/initiation-a-la-thermotherapie/
• Packages: https://www.spa-eastman.com/en/stays/all-inclusive-packages/health-immersion/
• Recipe: Eastman Spa Yogurt | Spa Eastman (spa-eastman.com)
• Eastern Townships: Tourism Eastern Townships | Québec, Canada
• Itinerary from Jill's trip: Discover the Wonders of Quebec with a Slow Travel Tour from Montreal to the Eastern Townships — 6-Day Itinerary (globaljourneyswithjilldutton.com)

Accolades: The Global Journeys with Jill Dutton podcast ranks 22nd in FeedSpot’s “Best Travel Podcasts on the Planet” list 

Transcript

Jill: 0:01

Welcome to Global Journeys with Jill Dutton, the podcast that transports you to captivating destinations around the globe. I'm your host, jill Dutton, a passionate traveler and seasoned travel writer. In each episode, we delve into the heart of a destination with a unique blend of storytelling. Join me as we introduce you to fascinating individuals and explore the enchanted places they call home. To learn more about my writing and podcasting career, stay tuned until the end of the episode for more details. Now let's embark on this global journey together, one person in place at a time.

Jill: 0:42

Today, we embark on a journey to explore the world of wellness and rejuvenation as we sit down with the visionary behind one of Canada's hidden gems, spa Eastman, nestled in the picturesque eastern townships, spa Eastman is not just a destination. It's a sanctuary for those seeking a holistic approach to well-being. Our guest today is the heart and soul behind this oasis of tranquility, where health meets harmony and guests are held by the healing embrace of nature. From its humble beginnings to becoming a renowned wellness retreat, the story of Spa Eastman is one of passion, dedication, and a commitment to the art of living well. I had the pleasure of experiencing immersion at Spa Eastman . From indulging in the serenityof the soothing hot and cold thermal baths to daringly taking a plunge into the invigorating cold pond, every moment was a celebration of self-care, whether we were strolling the grounds, admiring the scenery and the gardens, taking a yoga class or dining on the exquisite cuisine. Join us as we dive into the conversation Jocelyna's Dubuc, the mind behind the magic at Spa Eastman. We'll explore the philosophy that drives this haven for self-discovery, passion for the power of food, the unique offerings that set the Spa apart and the profound impact it has had on the lives of those who have graced its serene grounds.

Jill: 2:09

Jocelyna Dubuk, the founder and president of Spa Eastman, is a visionary whose impact extends far beyond the creation of a flourishing, innovative company. When she founded the first destination Spa in Canada, she gave birth to an entire industry, with Quebec now boasting over 140 spas. Her legacy goes beyond business success it encompasses a commitment to healthy living, environmental protection and promoting wellness. Joselina's tireless efforts have inspired others and her journey continues to shape the landscape of Quebec's tourism industry. So, whether you're a Spa enthusiast, a wellness seeker or simply curious about the transformative power of self-care, you're in for a treat. Get ready to unwind, relax and discover the secrets behind Spa Eastman on this enlightening episode of Global Journeys with Jill Dutton.

Jill: 3:00

Jocelyna, thank you for joining me today to speak about Spa Eastman and the experiences visitors can expect at your wellness destination. Bonjour, bonjour, appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today. I enjoyed our visit so immensely. When we came to Spa Eastman I guess it was a couple years ago now Just loved every aspect of your philosophy, so I'm eager to hear more about your journey. Thank you for joining me today and I'm eager to speak about Spa Eastman and the experiences the visitors can expect at your wellness destination. If I remember correctly, when we met previously, you had mentioned a trip to India as the inspiration behind creating Spa Eastman in 1977. Is that correct and, if so, can you tell us about that journey a little bit? Yeah, it's 1977.

Jocelyna: 3:46

Yes, but I just started. Before going to India, I discovered the power of food, the power of cure, the power of detox, and I was shocked by that. So I really did a big change of my way of eating. At that time I was a teacher of history and geography, you know high school, and I was surprised in a way that nobody taught me that food had an impact on how I was feeling. So that was the first Wow moment, you know. Yes, and out of the blue, I just changed completely my way. My way of eating became vegan and at the same time I discovered yoga and meditation.

Jocelyna: 4:35

Then, after a year of doing those things at home, I was dreaming of having real teaching about yoga and meditation. So that's why I went to Oroville it's in the south of India, you know and when I was there, someone told me oh, there is this doctor that is Ayurvedic doctor. You should meet him. You know the word Ayurveda? I didn't know. So while I was there, I discovered this way of taking care of our health in a deeper way.

Jocelyna: 5:12

Because I had time, you know, my first trip was four months, so I was really trying to meditate, discover the hot and cold there and giving more depth to my meditation and yoga. And when I came back then, that dream of creating a place where people will come learn how to, I would say, discover themselves. Yes, so that dream, without model, I would say, without having experienced myself in a, I would say, a destination, spa or whatever, but it's out of those experience about food, the power of what you eat, the impact on how you feel, the impact on meditation, the impact of doing physical activities, you know, like yoga, and I started to dream about a place. You know, that's how it really started in my head.

Jill: 6:14

Yes, yes. So then you found this location in the Eastern townships.

Jocelyna: 6:19

Yes, yes.

Jill: 6:20

And it's a gorgeous setting. I mean you really got an ideal location, because if someone's wanting to decompress, that's the place to do it. I mean it's really an idealic setting. So you brought this art of living philosophy to Spa Eastman. Can you, you know, for someone who's not familiar with what that is what give a brief introduction to that?

Jocelyna: 6:42

Yes, as I said about the food and about the exercise. So in this property there is 15 kilometers of trails and we are beautiful nature, even though we are at five minutes from the highway. Yes, you know, we feel really in a retreat place. And then I design that kind of eating that I have developed through the since 69, slowly, slowly for myself then creating the Spa in 1977, how to do a healthy eating. And the interesting thing is that I'm not a chef. I love eating but I'm not a chef, so I hire all kind of people to make it happen, you know, and sometimes I was not happy. Sometimes I was happy of the result and slowly again, because I'm not a nutritionist, I could go on different way of thinking, experiencing, like now we know, dr Dean Ornish, you know about plant-based diet.

Jocelyna: 7:56

Yes, but, at the time it was not there, but I was experimenting through those people that were coming to those coops that will come here. They didn't understand really the vegan cuisine. So it has been a growth process. And it just in 1994, when I discovered the work of Dr Barry Sears, well known in USA.

Jill: 8:22

Yes.

Jocelyna: 8:24

And I said, oh my God. Yet then at that moment I decided to introduce meat and fish and milk protein in a healthy way, though so slowly. The comprehension of what is really good for the body, the true experience for myself and for our clientele we design it. And the moment that it become very powerful for me, because now people think and know that a lot of ailment that we have we can call it sickness, whatever it's due to inflammation, but how inflammation is created and the most important thing is the food.

Jocelyna: 9:13

So when I, through the work of a different researcher, including Dr Singhalay, who is not known on the anglophone part, you know, so this doctor in France, a very well known guy, say oh, is it possible that all our ailments, our sickness, start from the intestine? We had that time in 1983. And it tests 2500 people suffering a lot and saying how can we create a cuisine that won't, will not create inflammation? When it now, in 2024, a lot of people will understand what I'm saying.

Jill: 10:02

Yes, but then you said intestine do you mean like the gut microbiome? Exactly Okay, I just want to make sure.

Jocelyna: 10:08

Oh, thank you. But, at that time those words were not used. No, it was really a deep research that he did. He followed those patients for 20 years and 115 acre, and out of those 115 acre ailment, 89 person, 91 person entered in remission, which means, yes, pain is not there. You know so, and so my idea was wow, is it possible to create a gastronomy that will just make you happy, feeling good, and will not create inflammatory symptoms?

Jocelyna: 10:57

That's how I started that, that is in 2009. And then we really create tonic cuisine, which is, I often say, when gastronomy replace medication. You know it's a kind of joke, but it's not a joke. It's when you take out all the inflammatory like I could speak more about it.

Jill: 11:20

you know, but Please, that's definitely my interest. I'm with you. The power of food, Ah, okay, okay so tonic cuisine, yeah, tonic cuisine.

Jocelyna: 11:30

So it's a gluten-free cuisine. It's dairy product-free because of cassie, you know, the protein in the dairy product and the meat will be cooked very slow. Temperature, okay, 230 Fahrenheit, wow, and less, yeah, because what they discover is when it's got high temperature, when you cook the meat, it creates they call it a glyco toxin, a toxin. Yeah, that could be cancer.

Jill: 12:08

The carcinogens yes.

Jocelyna: 12:09

Exactly the right word.

Jill: 12:11

Thank you. Charing like barbecue charring, yes.

Jocelyna: 12:16

In French we say maillard reaction, you know? Oh, okay, there is a reaction in the protein that could be. How do you say that? Oh, carcinogenic? Yeah, exactly, yes, yes, so and then we say, okay, and how about lactofermentation to put in our food? It's how to make our microbiology healthier and how to maintain our immune system, as it speak. Without, we are not in a diet here. Yes, and I've seen that people like they want to, they will come and want to lose weight, or but when they are in this way of eating, naturally there is inflammation. That goes away and with that, losing weight goes.

Jocelyna: 13:09

It happens naturally yes, yeah, so it's a way to a better weight management, you know, and at the same time preventing cancer and all that. But we are, I'm not a nutritionist, I'm just a human that want to eat in a nice way. Yes, I would say, in a sexy way and without pain, you know.

Jill: 13:32

Yes yes, oh, I love it. This is fantastic, and while I was there, I noticed your wonderful gardens that you have. So is a lot of what you serve in the diet Of course, of course.

Jocelyna: 13:44

Now we are starting again the gardens right now with our greenhouse because all year round we produce sprout and oh yeah, it was fascinating.

Jill: 13:55

in the yoga studio there were sprouts everywhere.

Jocelyna: 13:58

It was just fantastic, and now we have a new greenhouse and we can do much more, and during the summer, for years and years, our garden are very generous with us.

Jocelyna: 14:10

And we have a team that take care of it and the idea is often people will do landscaping, you know, but for us, for me, landscaping has to be in a direct connection with the kitchen. It's not there to decorate for decoration, no, it's the yeah, it's great beauty, but has a link to be served at the table. And often clients say, oh, my God, wow, yes, kale is so beautiful, you know it's, but there is all the herbs and everything that we manage the decoration outside landscaping yes, connection with the cuisine, and that I'm proud of that. Since years and years we have been doing that and often the specialists of landscaping will say why do you do that? And they sent that off. Have this thought that landscaping? It has been created by people that were rich and it create beauty. But in respect with nature can we create beauty? And it has a direct link with our cuisine.

Jill: 15:30

Yes.

Jocelyna: 15:31

So instead of putting a lot of energy to landscape and then go to the market to buy things, no, then you go and cut your fresh, your fresh, whatever herbs in there. Yes, and beauty is there. So, a garden. Is there how to also to harvest the forest in a nice way to respect those plants? That will be just a pleasure in the experience of the client.

Jill: 16:04

Wonderful, and have you had guests comment that how that way of eating affected them? Do they notice feeling better, like in the say they're there for four or five days or a week?

Jocelyna: 16:15

Just that, is just incredible For me. Even last week there was a yoga retreat here.

Jocelyna: 16:23

All age were there and there was also two, couple I would say 70, something like that. And the first after 24 hours, a client came to me and say I have arthritis and necrosis. Every morning I wake up, pain are in my circulation. And this morning I woke up, pain was not there. After 24 hours I was, oh my God. And this same client four days later. She just came like a bubbling champion, bubbling, and she was showing her hands. You know, when you've got her atrocious, you say yes, yes, At last. Your finger don't move easily, Right?

Jill: 17:14

arthritis.

Jocelyna: 17:16

She had the boat. So, she said pain is gone. And she said look at my finger and she was moving your finger and she was like a five years old girl, you know bubbling and is it possible?

Jocelyna: 17:31

Yes, we are biochemical. Does it create all the time the same effect? I would say in a way a spectacular as that. I don't know that. But what I know is, especially with arthritis, 10 days later people would say pain is gone, completely gone, and without inducing pills or whatever. With that, it's the power, the biochemical power, of what we eat, and you have to know that. I would say half of our clients don't even know that we do that. They will just feel good, and we see it with people that has diabetes type 2. You see that that way, and people that control their insulin by injection, so they have to test every day. And that I mean it just peed by itself because, besides the fact that it's anti-inflammatory, we control the carbohydrate. Oh, the carbohydrates.

Jocelyna: 18:42

Yes, it's very lower here, and at the same time, the healthy fat there is more. Yes, and it's very interesting to see the impact of diabetes type 2. And that is the client that tells me you know and often they will say oh, my God, I'm eating so much and I feel loose in my pants, yeah, okay, and they will laugh. You know how is it? Because we don't speak about calorie here.

Jill: 19:18

Right we speak about anti-inflammatory.

Jill: 19:21

That's all. That's fabulous, yeah, and before we run out of time, I want to talk about the thermography a little bit. So, excuse me. The thermal therapy yes, the thermal therapy. The hot and cold yes, the hot and cold, because you know, there's a lot. It seems to be the in thing lately. People talk about taking these ice water baths and things like that. So can you tell us, just briefly, as, what is the process and what is the benefit of that? Going from the cold to the hot to, you know, and back and forth? What does that do Back?

Jocelyna: 19:51

that and also the power of cold by itself. Oh, okay, because cold by itself it has been. You know, in French we say it has been rejected in our life. You know, in a way, especially us. We are in the cold country and the power of cold is just incredible, and when we link it to the hot it becomes easier to do. So we work with the infrared sauna. The infrared sauna it's one of the guys from America, dr Yu, that really publicized it for me, and when he came here he said if you want to do detox, please do infrared sauna.

Jocelyna: 20:33

For 40 years I always had Finland sauna and I or Ha-Man, which is very good, and infrared sauna has the power to take out the heavy metal in your muscle, in the fat. Yeah, because infrared it enter in your body. That's the Japanese people that in the 60s it was a treatment in the hospital. Sorry, I really do say it in a crude way.

Jocelyna: 21:07

No, that's so interesting, but there is a lot of knowledge about infrared sauna. And then when in America the tower 9-11, the tower collapsed fireman, you know, the fireman were caught in that. You remember all those pictures of people breathing. That's great thing, you know.

Jill: 21:28

Yes.

Jocelyna: 21:30

So there was a lot of heavy metal in that and those things enter in your system. How do you get that out of you? And it's the Dr Yu that was in charge of the pollute detox, those firemen that introduced infrared sauna. That's how they did it, you know. And so when I heard that about this technology, so I decided to have that. It's a nice way to detox. People can read and research on that. It's very interesting. Yes and then not then to go in the cold.

Jill: 22:10

Right.

Jocelyna: 22:11

To go in the cold, I would say in a peaceful way, which is not easy because we have always our system that want to react to cold, stress, whatever. So we teach technique to breathe, relax and go in it in the cold and then get out and observe how we feel and slowly, when people start to feel the effect of it, they start to get in love with it. And that's why it's so popular, because it take out our toxin, all the cortisol. It helps, and all the circulation in your body is activated and at the same time, where it is so powerful, it's in the brain, the mind. That's amazing. It feels good. So what I teach here? Because it's not everyone that has a cold lunch, but everyone has a cold shower, has a shower, and most of people know that.

Jocelyna: 23:19

When I was young they taught me that you take a hot shower and then you finish with cold. But everyone do it the same way. You know we say, oh, it's too cold, ok, it's not the way I teach it. Ok, you can start with the hot, but then you turn it towards the cold and you breathe. You breathe very quietly and you check your resistance that you have and you let them go and there will be tension coming out and you let go and then you can stay a minute, two minute, three minute and when you get out of your cold shower it's just incredible the feeling. The brain is quiet and suppose you wake up in the morning and you don't feel so good. You know you take the cold shower. It just makes a reset in the body and it brings peace. I know in our blog there is instruction about that, but I hope that people will catch the idea that it really activates all the system and it's easy and it costs nothing.

Jill: 24:36

Oh, that's wonderful, that's lovely.

Jocelyna: 24:38

Yeah, then cold can become your best friend. And last month I had a conference given a hotel and I was tired, you know. And before the conference I said to my husband oh, I will go to the room and take a cold shower Because I was tired, you know. I entered peacefully in the cold. Of course there is tension at the beginning, but I let go, let go, and then I stay maybe five minutes and when I went out of that all the tiredness, the fatigue was gone, and I mean in five minutes.

Jill: 25:16

Oh, this is perfect. This is wonderful. Justalina, we're running out of time, but I just love hearing this and this is so wonderful, so I'm going to include links to the instructions for the thermal therapy, just like you gave for the bath or for the shower, and then also links for someone to come visit. Yes, and what I?

Jocelyna: 25:38

would say is people when they come in vacation and they want to really increase an art of living. I would say there is a program for seven nights and there is personal training with that and we really design it according to the objective of the person.

Jocelyna: 26:00

Some come here just to lose weight, ok, some to unwind and distress and at the same time, they need coaching and in a way, it's a deal to come in Quebec Because of the price of the first and second, because of the exchange of money. So, and they discover the French flavor.

Jill: 26:24

Oh yes.

Jocelyna: 26:24

So people love it.

Jill: 26:26

Oh, I love it so much. Well, thank you so very much, and I appreciate you taking the time to educate us on this, and I'm with you on the power of food, so I just really it's an important message to share. So thank you so much.

Jocelyna: 26:40

Merci beaucoup, Gilles.

Jill: 26:41

Merci beaucoup. Ok, enjoy your day. Bye, ok, bye. Welcome to Global Journeys with Jill Dutton, the captivating travel podcast that takes you on an extraordinary adventure around the world. I'm your host, jill Dutton, and I am thrilled to be your guide through the mesmerizing tapestry of cultures, landscapes and experiences that await us.

Jill: 27:07

Global Journeys with Jill Dutton is more than just a travel podcast. It's an exploration of humanity itself. Through the power of storytelling, we illuminate the lives of the remarkable individuals we encounter along the way, whether it's through the eyes of a fishing guide, a distillery owner, a mixologist, a historian, chef, or even a farmer. Each person we meet adds a rich layer to the narrative of culture and place. In this podcast, we embark on a transformative journey where the focus goes beyond the typical tourist attractions. Instead, we dive deep into the hearts and souls of the places we visit, uncovering the hidden gems and untold stories that make each destination truly unique. Join me as we venture off the beaten path, seeking authenticity, connection and a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit. Together, we'll unravel the tapestry of cultures, one story at a time.

Jill: 28:06

Although my writing career began in the late 90s, when I created and launched a wellness publication called Evolving Magazine, since 2015, I've worked as a travel writer on a mission to seek out the locally celebrated foods, liquor, trends, outdoor activities and stories of those I meet along the way. My work has been published in Wine Enthusiast, a far woman's world, first for women, insider road trippers, modern farmer chilled magazine and many more digital and print publications. I'm also the creator of Global Plates the people we meet, the food they eat a syndicated column. Creating this podcast is the next step in my journey of sharing the stories of the people I've met along the way. So pack your curiosity, leave your preconceived notions behind and let's embark on global journeys with Jill Dutton, where each episode promises to inspire, educate and awaken the wanderlust within us all.

Jill: 29:06

As we travel on this exciting podcasting journey together, I invite you, our incredible audience, to be a part of it. Share your own travel stories, insights and recommendations with us. Whether you have a hidden gem in your hometown or a dream destination that has captured your imagination, we want to hear from you. Your suggestions will help shape the future episodes of Global Journeys, with Jill Dutton guiding us towards extraordinary locations and experiences that deserve a spotlight. Remember, this podcast is not about just the host or the guests. It's about the collective exploration and discovery that unites us all as wanderers in this vast world. So reach out to us through our website, social media channels or email and let your voice be heard. Find your suggestions to me at Jill, at Global Journeys with JillDuttoncom. I can't wait to hear from you. Until next time, may your travels be filled with endless curiosity, open-hearted encounters and transformative adventures. Love Travels, fellow Explorers and Keep Wandering.