Equipped with more than three decades of experience in holistic wellness, Eduardo is a therapeutic and beauty masseur and physical trainer specialising in musculoskeletal pain prevention and relief. As a hands-on therapist, he approaches acute and chronic pain conditions from a multifaceted toolbox that combines his signature soft tissue work with smart cupping therapy to achieve remarkable healing results. He also specialises in a unique anti-ageing facial treatment, which provides a prolonged face, neck and décolleté lift without surgical beauty procedures.

Jacco Eltingh is a former professional tennis player from the Netherlands, renowned for his success in doubles. Alongside partner Paul Haarhuis, Eltingh achieved the prestigious Career Grand Slam, winning all four major titles and dominating the doubles scene. They were ranked World No. 1 in doubles, and their partnership is regarded as one of the most successful in tennis history. In singles, Eltingh reached a career-high ranking of World No. 19, with his best Grand Slam result being in the quarterfinals of the 1995 Australian Open. He retired in 1998 after securing 44 doubles titles and now contributes to tennis administration and coaching in the Netherlands.

Marta Kostyuk is a Ukrainian tennis player who turned professional in 2018. She gained early attention at age 15 when she reached the third round of the Australian Open, showcasing her defensive baseline style and powerful groundstrokes. Kostyuk’s success continued with a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 27 in June 2023. Her junior career was equally impressive, with a standout victory at the 2017 Australian Open girls’ singles title, positioning her as one of the rising stars in women’s tennis. Beyond her technical skills, Kostyuk has shown remarkable consistency on tour, earning respect for her resilience and competitive spirit. Her athleticism and ability to handle high-pressure situations have made her a formidable opponent on the court.

Since 2015, German chef Marcel Skibba has been a key figure in Andreas Caminada’s gastronomic ventures, particularly at the three-Michelin-starred Schloss Schauenstein, where he has built a reputation for mastering both classic cuisine and modern techniques. From its opening in 2016 until the 2020/2021 winter season, Marcel led the kitchen at IGNIV St. Moritz, excelling as head chef. Under his leadership, the restaurant earned 17 Gault Millau points and a second Michelin star. Before joining Caminada’s team, Marcek honed his skills at the three-star level, notably working with Thomas Bühner at La Vie in Osnabrück, among other renowned establishments.

Duval-Leroy is a prestigious champagne producer in Vertus, in the renowned Côte des Blancs region of Champagne, France. Founded in 1859, this family-owned house has cultivated 150 hectares of vineyards over six generations and is celebrated for its innovation and excellence. Duval-Leroy was the first to create a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 1911, introducing the iconic Cuvée Fleur de Champagne. Over the years, the house has claimed numerous accolades at international wine competitions, including those in Barcelona and Monaco, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the champagne industry. Today, Duval-Leroy is run by Carol Duval-Leroy, alongside her three sons, Julien, Charles and Louis. Carol’s leadership has not only preserved the family legacy but also brought new recognition, with her being named “the most influential woman in Champagne” in 2013. Under her guidance, Duval-Leroy continues to craft exceptional champagnes that reflect the family’s dedication to quality and tradition. On October 29, 2024, Maison Duval-Leroy’s family member Charles Duval-Leroy will be hosting an exclusive Champagne Dinner at So Imaginative at Soneva Jani.

Kevin Diedrich is a prominent figure in the cocktail world, renowned for his exceptional work at Pacific Cocktail Haven (P.C.H.) in San Francisco, California. As the driving force behind this acclaimed bar, Kevin has established P.C.H. as a top destination for cocktail enthusiasts, earning a spot at #38 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list. The bar’s inventive approach to mixology and its commitment to excellence has also garnered the Best American Cocktail Bar award at the Tales of the Cocktail Awards. Kevin’s influence extends well beyond his role at P.C.H., earning him multiple nominations for Best American Bartender, with a win in 2020. Recognised for his mentorship, he was named one of the best U.S. Bar Mentors by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation in 2022, reflecting his commitment to nurturing the next generation of bartenders.

Italian chef and restaurateur Paolo Casanova is the patron of Chesa Stüva Colani Restaurant in Madulain, Switzerland. Casanova grew up immersed in the world of food and hospitality, with a family background in hotel ownership and culinary arts and has worked with renowned Italian chefs, including Massimo Bottura, Stefano Baiocco. and Fulvio Pierangelini. In 2016, Casanova opened his own restaurant in Switzerland and by 2020, he earned his first Michelin star and was named Discovery of the Year by Gault&Millau. In 2024, he was honoured as Green Chef of the Year recognising for his creative approach to his menus, emphasising the use of premium, fresh and local ingredients. He forages for ingredients and maintains his own vegetable garden, fostering close relationships with local farmers and producers to ensure the highest quality in his culinary creations.

Søren Ørbek Ledet is the wine director, general manager and co-owner of the Michelin-starred Geranium in Copenhagen, Denmark. For Søren, a former chef turned sommelier and front-of-house manager, the transition from the kitchen to the cellar and restaurant was a natural progression, driven by his desire to offer guests a complete experience. His meticulous wine pairings involve extensive theory, tasting notes and a deep understanding of the flavour profiles of wine and dishes. Managing Geranium’s 25,000-bottle wine cellar requires constant evolution. Søren likens discovering a new domain, chateau or vintage to opening a present as a child – a moment of discovery and enlightenment. The Geranium Wine Cellar features biodynamic wines, classic vintages and unexpected surprises, showcasing his dedication to providing an extraordinary dining experience.

Born in Kenya to Indian parents and currently residing in the UK, Ravinder Bhogal is a journalist, chef and restaurateur inspired by her mixed heritage and the UK’s diverse immigrant culture. Her debut restaurant, Jikoni, was ranked 56th in the UK by the National Restaurant Awards within 7 months of opening. She has penned three cookbooks that reflect her cuisine of “cooking across borders,” in Cook in Boots, Jikoni: Proudly Inauthentic Recipes from an Immigrant Kitchen and Comfort and Joy. Ravinder has been named in Evening Standard Progress 1000 as one of London’s leading influencers of progress and diversity in the capital twice and launched a home delivery brand Comfort & Joy, a sister brand to Jikoni in June 2020. She is a monthly food columnist for the FT Weekend Magazine and Guardian Feast and a contributing editor at Harper’s Bazaar.

Born in Aarhus, Denmark, in 1977, Jakob Mielcke is a self-taught chef who has travelled the world working with culinary masters, such as Pierre Gagnaire, both in his restaurants in London and in the infamous three-Michelin-starred one in Paris. In 2002, he returned to Denmark as the head chef at Jan Hurtigkarl & Co., and later opened Mielcke & Hurtigkarl together with Jan Hurtigkarl in the Royal Garden Society, where he now explores his creative vision. Since its opening in 2008, Chef Jakob has won praise for his characteristic contemporary food and has become the recipient of numerous awards in and outside of Denmark. A darling among food critics, he originally trained at Pierre Gagnaire in Paris and later at Lecture Room & Library, Sketch in London, before settling in his native Denmark. There, he established a unique, multicultural and creative playground in a hidden garden in central Copenhagen, where he continues to explore his creative vision.

Born in 1986 in the Czech Republic, Petr studied astrophysics at Masaryk University Brno and at Silesian University in Opava, Czech Republic. He is an astronomer and astrophotographer. His images were featured more than 30 times by NASA as Astronomy Picture of the Day, as astrophotographer and science outreach worker he cooperates with NOIRLab, National Geographics’ TWAN (The World At Night), European Southern Observatory, and many more. An asteroid 6822 orbiting between Mars and Jupiter is named after him. He travels the world to capture and show the immersive beauty of the starry sky and unique or rare sky phenomena. A long route brought him also to Soneva Fushi in 2019, where he experienced a beautiful night sky and took many photographs of it. Petr specializes in the outreach of modern astronomy with his talks to the public and in photographing the night sky phenomena to show what amazing Universe around us can be even seen by naked eyes all around the world, including the Maldives.

Ajay Chopra is an Indian chef, food creator, restaurant consultant and media personality. A pioneer in progressive cuisine, he was one of the first Indian chefs to host Masterchef India and helped change the way people perceive cooking as a profession. Born into a Punjabi family from Lucknow, he spent his childhood in multiple cities in North India. Inspired by his work experience in hotels across the country, he started his own company, Zion Hospitality, a food and beverage consulting company which caters to food and beverage units including hotels, Restaurants, QSR and casual cafe concepts. In 2018, he launched his YouTube channel, The Big Daddy Chef, which shares a collection of easy-to-follow recipes inspired by authentic Indian dishes designed to encourage families to cook and have fun in the kitchen together. His distinctive cooking style uses simple ingredients and techniques to create flavourful dishes, placing him on the list of best chefs in India.

Graeme Le Saux is a former England international footballer who played most of his career as a left-back, though his football pace and skill enabled him to move into a left-sided midfield role when required. Graeme made his England debut in a 1994 friendly against Denmark and went on to represent his country 36 times. The highlight of his England career was representing his country in the 1998 football World Cup. Graeme started his career at St Paul’s and moved to Chelsea football club in 1987. In 1993 he switched to Blackburn Rovers where he won the 1995 Premier League title with Blackburn. In August 1997 Graeme became the most expensive defender in English football when he returned to Chelsea football club in a GBP 5 million deal. Graeme remained there for six seasons before moving to Southampton football club. Graeme played at St. Mary’s for two seasons announcing his retirement in May 2005 following Southampton’s relegation. Since retiring from football, Graeme is popular with the media working across national and international outlets including NBC, Sky and the BBC. A respected and clear-thinking individual, he frequently undertakes project work with the FA, UEFA, FIFA and the Premier League.

Therese Alshammar is a Swedish swimmer who has won 72 international medals, including three Olympic medals, 25 World Championship medals and 43 European Championship medals, and has set 14 world records throughout her career. A specialist in short distances races in freestyle and butterfly, she is the only female swimmer who has competed in six Olympic Games and the oldest to win an individual world championship title. Therese also runs a learn to swim program for schools in Sweden and has written two children’s books on swimming, mixing fact and fiction to spur interest to play in the water. Johan Wallberg is a retired Olympic swimmer and the current coach for the Swedish national team, leading the training centre for the team as well as research and development. With a unique eye and expertise in swimming techniques, he has coached several World and Olympic champions. Like Therese, he is also involved in learn to swim programs for schools in Sweden where he shares his passion for the sport and encourages young people to both learn how to swim and enjoy the water. While in the Maldives, Therese and Johan will be helping Young Sonevians perfect their stroke while having fun in the water.

Agnieszka Roma Radwańska is a Polish former professional tennis player. Known for making intelligent use of the court, she won 20 career singles titles, two doubles titles, and achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 2 on July 9, 2012. Among her many achievements and accolades, Agnieszka is the first Polish player in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles final, the first Pole to win the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals, the first Pole to claim a WTA singles title, and was one half of the first Polish team to win the Hopman Cup tournament. In addition, she won the WTA award for Most Impressive Newcomer in 2006, the WTA Fan Favourite Award six times, Shot of the Year five times, Shot of the Month on a regular basis, and finished with a top 10 year-end ranking eight times.  She is also widely considered one of the best tennis players to have never won a Grand Slam. For her accomplishments in sport and for representing her country with distinction, in 2013 she was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit by Polish President Bronisław Komorowski. On November 14, 2018, Agnieszka announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 29.

Sascha Stemberg has been running his restaurant, Haus Stemberg Anno 1864, in Velbert, Germany, since 2015. He first started working there as a Sous Chef in 2005 and, together with his mother and father, he planned his culinary dream. The restaurant has been family run since 1864, making Sascha and his wife the fifth generation to inherit it. Each dish is always full of flavour, using only the best ingredients, which are often local. They have their own bees, and work with many of the farmers in the area. In 2013, the restaurant achieved its first Michelin Star.

Chantelle Nicholson is a multi-award winning chef owner of Apricity, London. Formerly chef-owner of Tredwells (the recipient of a green Michelin star in 2021) and All’s Well, a ‘pandemic pop-up’. As one of the leading female voices in the UK’s hospitality industry, Chantelle is an advocate for seasonality and sustainability, championing veg-forward cooking and being committed to creating a more sustainable future across her operation and activities, whilst also being an independent board member for ReLondon and a Food Council member for City Harvest.

During her 15-year career, Hortensia has collaborated with the UN, Olympics Sports Federations and several private clinics. She has a Master’s in Osteopathy and degrees in Sports Education and Physiotherapy. Originally focused on a traditional osteopathic approach to treating sports injuries, Hortensia’s methodology evolved to reflect evidence that stress, emotions and unchanneled trauma have a direct impact on the body. She works closely with you to get to the root of your concerns, using a unique, multi-pronged approach that combines traditional osteopathy with her deep knowledge of the body’s biodynamic, skeletal, muscular and craniosacral systems.