Cover Antonia Li sought rest at healing at Mount Med in Tyrol, Austria (Photo: Antonia Li)
Antonia Li sought rest at healing at Mount Med in Tyrol, Austria (Photo: Antonia Li)
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From biohacking to improving sleep quality, entrepreneur Antonia Li shares her life changing experience at Mount Med in Austria
Hong Kong-based entrepreneur Antonia Li’s enthusiasm for health, wellness and adventure is no secret. In fact, it’s well documented on her Instagram where she shares her incredible—at times enviable—quests: completing an Ironman 70.3 Triathlon in Western Australia; skiing off-piste in Verbier, Switzerland; and exploring Iceland’s Hólmsheiði hills on viking horses.
But all that adventure can take its toll. So earlier this year, Li checked into Mount Med, a retreat in Tyrol set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Austrian Alps. The retreat merges advanced medical practices with holistic well-being, offering comprehensive programs that span preventative medicine, aesthetic treatments and sports rehabilitation. The retreat's medical spa boasts cutting-edge diagnostics, while its wellness focus incorporates personalised nutrition, fitness, and mental health support.
Coming out of Mount Med feeling "lighter, both physically and emotionally", we asked Li to tell all about her experience.
See also: Inside wellness retreat Rakxa in Bangkok, Thailand that combines ancient healing and medical science
What stood out to you about Mount Med that made you decide to go there?
I wanted to heal and recharge in the mountains. I believe that mountains have healing powers; their grandeur can inspire feelings of humility and perspective, fostering a deeper sense of peace. Through the wellness-focused booking platform Compare Retreats, I found Mount Med which is located in the beautiful Austrian village of Oberau, with an Alpine backdrop, high technology, and an upscale medical spa. Mount Med offers a holistic and integrated approach to both health and beauty. Based on science and medicine, its innovative concept proposes new perspectives on longevity.
Implementing their Lifechanger program, your experience is tailor-made by a group of clinicians, focusing on mindfulness to transform consciousness and lifestyle.
Did you have any personal wellness goals going into the retreat?
I wanted a body check to assess my health status at the beginning of 2025, in January. Investing in understanding more about your body is valuable to me. I underwent a blood test, metabolic blueprint, nutrition analysis, and assessments of my posture, cognition, lungs, breathing, and heart fitness. I was happy to find that my biological age, based on the assessments, is five years younger than my actual age.
From my last medical examination in June 2024, one of my areas of concern was the inflexibility of my spine, which led to lower back pains and injuries. I was pleased to find that this has improved. However, I discovered an imbalanced right shoulder that requires training to correct.
Above Antonia Li at Mount Med in Tyrol, Austria (Photo: Antonia Li)
Antonia Li at Mount Med in Tyrol, Austria (Photo: Antonia Li)
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What were some takeaways from your experience that you are continuing to practice now?
Choosing what to eat diligently, and avoiding inflammatory foods. Carving out moments for meditation, reflection, journaling, and breathing exercises. Dedicating time to exercises that improve posture. Beyond benefiting our physical body, good posture enhances our mood, confidence and even sleep.
What advice do you have for others looking to take their health and wellness more seriously but don’t know where to start?
It would be worth your time to start with a wellness retreat to identify key areas you need to improve. With professional advice and strategies, you can stay on the right path without procrastination. Additionally, take note of the types of people who inspire you. Are they achieving fitness goals you would love to attain? Also, focus on rehabilitation and recovery if you have areas to work on, as it is difficult to optimize without addressing limiting factors.
I believe that mountains have healing powers; their grandeur can inspire feelings of humility and perspective, fostering a deeper sense of peace.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness, to me, is a 360-degree, holistic approach to living that encompasses various aspects of my life. It goes beyond just physical health and appearance; it involves nurturing my mental, emotional, social, and even spiritual well-being. Wellness is not a destination but an ongoing journey.
It requires me to actively engage in choices and activities that promote my overall health and happiness. This means being intentional about my lifestyle and making decisions that align with my well-being. Mount Med was spectacular in supporting lifestyle changes post-resort stay, including cooking techniques, breathing techniques, and implementing healthy lifestyle habits.
Has wellness always been part of your life? Or was there an event or time in your life that inspired you to take it more seriously?
The COVID period facilitated my wellness journey. We were forced to slow down, which allowed me to focus on staying present, sleeping early, and eating clean. Another pivotal time was after my creative agency, which I co-founded, was acquired; I became freer and started “catching up” on wellness and exercising more frequently. I decided that I should never need to exercise in a “revenge mode” and to exercise consistently moving forward. Later led me to found my athleisure brand, Autopilot, that promotes 360 degree wellness to allow women to stay active and move with mobility in their urban lives.
Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
