Springtime at Soneva

Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen is an acclaimed American glass artist known for her nature-inspired sculptures. Her work, often created in collaboration with her husband, Jasen Johnsen, combines technical precision with a deep reverence for the natural world. She has received numerous accolades, including the Acquisition Award from the Tacoma Art Museum (2006) and a Louis Comfort Tiffany Award nomination (1994). Willenbrink-Johnsen’s work has been featured in prestigious exhibitions, including the Corning Museum of Glass and the 52nd Annual International Glass Invitational at Habatat Galleries (2024). As a dedicated educator, she has taught at the Corning Museum of Glass and Pilchuck Glass School. With her innovative approach and passion for nature, Willenbrink-Johnsen continues to make a significant impact on the world of contemporary glass art.

Chef and culinary artist Nawal Alkhalawi is a Saudi entrepreneur & seasoned Le Cordon Bleu-trained nutritional chef. After years of local and international experience between Saudi Arabia and London, she found her passion and niche in sustainable food practices. The preservation of heritage, art and culture is reflected in curating culinary experiences that bridge her appreciation for traditional cuisine with her global outlook & multicultural exposure. In 2019, she founded Asfar, a cultural culinary pop-up concept in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, to curate events, workshops and VIP dinners to showcase local Saudi heritage and culture through food. She has since expanded her services to include concept and recipe development for cafes, restaurants, private dinners, art galleries, holistic health facilities and clinics.

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our younger guests stay inspired and intrigued, Soneva aims to help visiting children and teenagers feel fully supported outside of term time. We have partnered with Oppidan Education, a British-based mentoring firm created to help children continue their learning outside of the classroom and reach their full potential. Along with the Oppidan team, mentors Henry and Jess will be hosting plenty of exciting and engaging activities, as well as complimentary drop-in workshops with fun, educational activities and private, one-on-one appointments, which can be scheduled each afternoon at an additional fee.

Joe Wicks is on a mission to make the world fitter, healthier and happier. The man behind the global fitness brand The Body Coach, his YouTube channel ‘The Body Coach TV’ delivers home workouts for all ages and fitness levels. Inspired by the sense of fulfilment he got from helping his clients get fitter and healthier, Joe started using social media to share nutritious recipes and motivation, which he hoped would make a positive difference in people’s lives. His 15-second videos of meals that take 15 minutes to make quickly attracted a large following and inspired Joe’s first book – Lean in 15. Full of 15-minute recipes and workouts, the book was published in 2015 and has sold over one million copies. It was the UK’s best-selling non-fiction title that year and is the second best-selling cookbook of all time. His ‘PE With Joe’ workout series during the Covid-19 lockdown received over 80 million views and raised more than £580,000 for NHS Charities Together. In 2020, Joe broke the Guinness World Record for the highest number of viewers for a live-streamed workout on YouTube – with over 955,000 viewers taking part.  

Harry Jameson is an elite performance coach, who has worked with some of the world’s most successful names and brands over a long 20-year career. Specialising in optimal daily performance, stress management, leadership and emotional well-being, Harry has worked with clients that include partners at McKinsey, CEOs of Chelsea Football Club and ITV, the UK Prime Minister, Apple, Nike, Twitter and Lululemon. Helping the busy executive stay mentally, physically and emotionally at the top of their game has been Harry’s life’s work. More recently, Harry founded Pillar Well-being, a global luxury well-being and hospitality concept, and Harry also writes a monthly column for The Times newspaper.

Regarded as one of the best glass sculptors, Martin Janecký is returning for a second residency at Soneva Art & Glass after a highly successful residency in 2016. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, showcasing his exceptional mastery of blowing and sculpting “inside the bubble” – a technique that allows him to create remarkable glass sculptures. Janecký began working with glass at the age of thirteen at his father’s factory in the Czech Republic. After graduating from the Glass School in Nový Bor, he gained experiences in South Africa, Sweden, the Netherlands and in the US, where he studied at the Pilchuck Glass School under Richard Royal and William Morris. In 2019, he established Janecky Studio in Prague, further advancing his innovative approach to glass art.

Barbara Schett stands as one of Austria’s most celebrated athletes and its highest-ranked female tennis player in history. With remarkable skill and perseverance, she achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of World No. 7 and a doubles ranking of World No. 8, solidifying her status among the elite in international tennis. After retiring from professional tennis, Barbara seamlessly transitioned into an international business career. Today, she is a sought-after celebrity endorser and global brand ambassador, representing prestigious brands worldwide. Her expertise and vibrant personality have also established her as a leading sports presenter and analyst for Eurosport, Europe’s premier sports channel, where she delivers live coverage and insightful commentary from Grand Slam tournaments.

Carlos Leon González is a distinguished hospitality leader with over 20 years of experience in luxury gastronomy and sustainability-driven restaurant management. As the General Manager of Aponiente Group, he oversees the operations of Aponiente and Alevante in Spain, driving the group’s strategic growth through innovative concept development, event management, and operational excellence. Under his leadership, Aponiente has redefined fine dining with its groundbreaking approach to sustainability, earning recognition as the world’s most sustainable restaurant in 2023 by The World’s 50 Best. Before his current role, Carlos held senior positions with prestigious global brands, including Mandarin Oriental, Jumeirah, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, where he played a pivotal role in revenue growth, food and beverage optimization, and guest experience enhancement. His expertise spans luxury brand consulting, Michelin-star restaurant operations, and team leadership, making him a visionary force in high-end gastronomy. With a passion for excellence and an innovative mindset, Carlos continues to shape the future of global fine dining.

Lars Lindberg Christensen is an award-winning astronomer and science communicator. He has authored a dozen popular science books translated into more than ten languages. Lars has directed more than 10 documentaries and planetarium movies that have received critical acclaim around the world. He is responsible for the communication and education for NSF’s NOIRLab consisting of Cerro Tololo, CSDC, Gemini, Kitt Peak and Rubin Observatory. Lars has more than 200 publications to his credit, most of them in popular science communication and its theory. Lars received the 2021 Klumpke-Roberts Award and the Tycho Brahe Medal in 2005 for his achievements in science communication and has been credited with leading the most successful outreach efforts in ESO’s history. During his visit, Lars will be hosting after-dinner stargazing sessions, along with talks about astronomy throughout the day.

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.

Hailed as one of the best football freestylers in the world, Marcel Gurk is the current German champion, holds ten Guinness World Records and is the author of the world’s first book on football freestyling. He made it to the semifinal of Germany’s Got Talent, Das Supertalent, and travels around the world sharing his unique skills. Having studied sport and media management in Dusseldorf, Marcel also specialises in working with children and has designed his own unique concept to help take his students’ skills to the next level. While in the Maldives, he will be hosting football freestyling workshops for Young Sonevians at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.

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.

David Walliams is a celebrated British writer, actor and comedian with a career spanning over two decades in entertainment and literature. Renowned for his bestselling children’s books, he has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, with his works translated into more than 55 languages. His storytelling, often compared to that of Roald Dahl, has captivated young readers with its humour, heart and unforgettable characters. Before becoming a literary sensation, David rose to fame as the co-creator and star of Little Britain, the BAFTA-winning sketch comedy series that became a cultural phenomenon. His television career also includes acclaimed roles in Britain’s Got Talent, where he was a beloved judge and multiple award-winning acting performances. A passionate philanthropist, he has raised millions for charity through endurance challenges, earning national recognition, including an OBE for services to charity and the arts. With an ever-evolving career, David Walliams remains a dynamic force in entertainment and literature.

Karen Carney is a former professional footballer and now a highly regarded TV pundit and sports analyst. During her illustrious playing career, she represented top clubs like Birmingham City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Chicago Red Stars, while also earning 144 caps for the England national team. Known for her skill, creativity and tactical intelligence, Karen played a key role in England’s success on the international stage, competing in four FIFA Women’s World Cups and winning a bronze medal in 2015. She was also a pivotal member of Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics. Karen has seamlessly transitioned into the media and commercial sphere, becoming a familiar face on leading platforms like BBC Sport, Sky Sports and Amazon Prime. She has been a prominent voice in coverage of the Women’s Super League and major international tournaments, including the UEFA Women’s European Championships and FIFA Women’s World Cup. Off-screen, Karen continues to champion the growth of women’s football and inspire the next generation of players through her insightful commentary and dedication to the sport.

Varun Totlani is a rising force in contemporary Indian gastronomy, celebrated for his innovative approach to showcasing the country’s diverse produce and culinary heritage. As the Head Chef of Masque, India’s pioneering ingredient-driven restaurant, he has been instrumental in elevating it to international acclaim. Under his leadership, Masque ranked #16 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023 and was named India’s Best Restaurant for the third consecutive year in 2024. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Varun began his journey with Masque as a commis chef in 2016, steadily climbing the ranks to helm the kitchen in 2022. His vision and craftsmanship have propelled Masque onto the global stage, securing its debut on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024. In the same year, Varun was ranked #4 in Culinary Culture’s Best Chefs in India and recognised by The Best Chef Awards with a prestigious ‘One Knife’ rating for excellence.

Sanctum is a global mindful movement community, renowned for its innovative approach to empowering the body and expanding the mind. Established in 2022, Sanctum has redefined wellness by offering unique movement sequences that unlock human potential, push physical boundaries and achieve a state of mindful euphoria with every session. Its transformative experiences are designed to cater to diverse needs. Its classes seamlessly blend mindful movement with cutting-edge design, creating an immersive journey for participants seeking to connect with their inner selves. While at Soneva Fushi,  Luuk Melisse, Gabriel Olszewski, Stephanie Siems and Anna Wisniewska will be hosting exclusive outdoor wellness sessions.