Embracing menopause with kindness, rather than fear

A conversation with Carolina Michelson of Le Muse Spa, Chile.

Energetic, creative, and passionate, at 57, Carolina Michelson is building Le Muse Spa in Chile, a space where she can share time with women, enjoy meaningful conversations, and talk about beauty, wellness, and life itself, as well as introducing premium Wellness brands to her clients, including WelleCo. This is her way of giving back, and sharing everything she has learned over the years.

We are grateful to have learned how her wellness journey has provided her with the strength and clarity to reinvent herself many times in life — from fashion retail to aesthetics, from being a mother to becoming an entrepreneur.

How long have you been in the Wellness industry, and how have you seen wellness change over this time?

I have been in the wellness and beauty industry for more than 13 years, after a long career in fashion retail. Over this time, I have seen wellness evolve from being considered a luxury to becoming an essential part of people’s lives. Today, wellness is not only about looking good, but about feeling strong, balanced, and empowered in every stage of life. This is the spirit that inspired me at Le Muse Spa, with award-winning brands and technologies, and now incorporating WelleCo into this journey.

Which are your favourite WelleCo products and why? How did you discover the Brand?

Without a doubt, my favourite product is The Super Elixir™. Its benefits have truly changed my life — reducing inflammation, giving me vitality, and helping me feel stronger and more focused. At 57, I can honestly say I feel full of energy, with a clear mind and creative ideas, while maintaining my weight with ease. I also love The Goddess Elixir, which supports my hormonal balance, and makes me feel centred and empowered as a woman. And every night, The Evening Elixir has become my ritual for deep sleep and emotional balance — I wake up renewed, rested, and in a better mood.

Can you share your mission and vision for WelleCo in Chile?

The mission and vision of WelleCo Chile is to bring a premium, intelligent, and meaningful supplementation brand to our market. For me personally, WelleCo represents the missing piece — it is not only about looking good, but about truly feeling good and understanding that our bodies need extra support along the way. With WelleCo, we can embrace life with more energy, vitality, and balance, allowing us to enjoy a healthier, friendlier adulthood.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day for me starts around 8 AM. The very first thing I do is prepare my Super Elixir, which I use to break the night’s fast. I make it as a shake with Nourishing Protein — sometimes vanilla, sometimes chocolate — almond milk, collagen, and berries. It’s a delicious ritual that leaves me energised, satisfied, and ready for the day. I then do some strength training — not my favourite, but I know how important it is, especially for women my age, to maintain strong muscles and bones. After that, I go to Le Muse Spa, which for me is not only work but a true joy. It’s a space where I share time with women, enjoy meaningful conversations, and talk about beauty, wellness, and life itself. It’s my way of giving back, sharing everything I’ve learned over the years so that we can all feel and live better.

Can you share a paragraph on your personal wellness journey by decades?

In my early years, like many young women, I wasn’t fully aware of the risks of sun exposure. I spent long hours on the beach, sometimes even applying Coca-Cola or oils to tan more quickly. Over time, I came to understand the real importance of sun protection. In my twenties, I often indulged in sweets and followed unhealthy diets. With maturity, I realised the importance of protein, balanced nutrition, supplementation, and skincare. Sport has also been essential, from running to yoga, and today I am passionate about padel — a sport that keeps me active, happy, and socially connected.

With wellness, you can. What has wellness allowed you to achieve in your life?

Wellness has given me the strength and clarity to reinvent myself many times in life — from fashion retail to aesthetics, from being a mother to becoming an entrepreneur. It has allowed me to stay energetic, creative, and passionate at 57, building Le Muse Spa and introducing premium brands to Chile. Most importantly, wellness has given me balance — the ability to feel good in my own skin and to inspire other women to do the same.

When you were crowned Miss Universe in 1991, what do you recall wellness meaning to you at this time, and how has your opinion changed since then?

At that time, wellness was equated with being extremely thin. For me, the motivation to join Miss Universe was more practical — winning a car and some independence — rather than a passion for the spotlight. I met wonderful women, but pageants were never my true world. Today, my vision has completely shifted: wellness is about health, strength, balance, and embracing life with energy. It is a far healthier concept than the pursuit of thinness that dominated the past.

You have a degree in psychology, what importance do you place on mental health?

Psychology has been a guiding thread throughout my life. Studying any career teaches discipline and perseverance, but mental health in particular is essential. For me, psychology has also provided empathy and insight when working with women, whether it was in my fashion boutique years ago or today at Le Muse Spa. It helps me listen, connect, and gently guide them beyond aesthetics, towards feeling truly seen and supported.

We know the skin is our largest organ, how important is caring for this?

Caring for the skin — our largest organ — is essential. It is not only about vanity; it is an act of self-love and a reflection of inner health. Internal conditions like inflammation or imbalance are often mirrored in our skin and hair. That’s why caring for the skin means caring for overall wellbeing.

What are your top 3 wellness products for internal and external skin health?

For internal wellness, my essentials are The Super Elixir™, Nourishing Protein, Collagen Elixir, The Evening Elixir, and also Skin Elixir for targeted skin support. At certain times of the year, I also add Hair Elixir to strengthen and care for my hair from within. Increasing my daily protein intake has been transformative — it has improved not only my energy but also the firmness of my skin and muscles. For external skin health, my long-time favourite is Environ. I’ve also embraced innovations from Dermathod, a Korean brand specialising in microneedling, which allows intelligent delivery of actives. At Le Muse Spa, we also use non-invasive premium technologies that enhance vitality and radiance.

How do you feel about the term anti-aging?

I don’t particularly like the term “anti-aging.” To me, it sounds as if we are denying a natural process of life. Instead, I prefer to speak about slow aging, well aging, and even happy aging. Aging well means staying strong, having healthy bones, walking freely at 90, and enjoying life with family and friends.

What are the most common requests from your clients at Le Muse Spa?

At Le Muse Spa, most women come seeking healthier, more radiant skin — but in a natural, non-invasive way. My specialty is exactly that: enhancing skin quality without aggressive procedures. Over the years, I have also developed a somatic massage technique, helping to release emotions and long-held tensions. Many clients tell me I have “healing hands,” and perhaps it is because I truly love what I do. For me, Le Muse Spa is not just a place for beauty, but a space of trust, care, and transformation.

What lessons were important for you to teach your daughters about beauty and wellness?

My daughters, now 30 and 29, are beautiful women with naturally radiant skin. They are not always as diligent with sunscreen as I would like, but they have learned the importance of quality products and self-care. They “borrow” my creams and now also my WelleCo supplements, and of course, they love massages. Little by little, they are embracing the idea that beauty and wellness are about consistency and care.

Do you have any experiences to share with peri/menopause?

Since adolescence I suffered from very strong PMS, which made me anxious about menopause. Finally, around 48 or 49, I entered the “club.” With the right hormone replacement therapy and the support of supplements, my transition has been smooth. I see menopause as a process we must embrace with kindness, rather than fear. What I love most is that today, the subject is openly discussed at home and with friends, making the journey more human and connected.

Do you have any final advice for someone who is starting their wellness journey?

My advice is not to rely on social media trends. Instead, seek guidance from specialists who can provide the right therapies for you. The most important principle is: test, test, test. At the same time, wellness comes from simple habits: eating clean, reducing sugar, sleeping well, practicing grounding and spirituality, and becoming a better version of yourself every day.

Today, what are you grateful for?

Today I am deeply grateful for my health and my beloved family. I have a wonderful husband who supports me in every idea and project — he is my right hand, my left hand, and the love of my life. I am grateful for my children and for my grandson, who arrived this year and filled our lives with joy. I am thankful for the good moments and also the difficult ones, because they have made me stronger and more resilient. Above all, I thank life, God, and WelleCo for being such an important part of this year of growth and planning.