Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Ava Roxanne Stritt of The South

Ava Roxanne Stritt shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Ava Roxanne , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Holding my new puppy!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Ava Roxanne Stritt is a top authority on luxury travel and is called the most influential person in the world regarding spa travel. She is repeatedly named to lists of top luxury travel influencers! After 3,000+ spas in 30+ countries, she knows a thing or two about luxury travel.

Followers of @SpaTravelGal will tell you she is responsible for transforming the idea of a spa day into a wellness adventure! Her passion for unique experiences has carried her around the world from “taking the waters” in Europe’s thermal spas to hiking to waterfalls in the rainforests of Ecuador for a massage surrounded by hummingbirds. She is the founder of Spa Travel Gal and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and Wellness Tourism Association.

She is also the author of the book Top Luxury Spas to Refresh Yourself Today!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I saved many stray animals as a child. I can remember very early on crawling under my Great Grandmothers house to get kittens out who had lost their mother.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
That there is not enough time to see and do it all.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would probably say that what really matters to me is creating meaningful experiences—whether it’s a quiet moment of self-care, a shared laugh over a glass of wine, or discovering a destination’s unique experiences. They know I’m passionate about wellness, travel, animals, and finding beauty in the little details, but more than anything, they’d say I value genuine connections and making people feel cared for wherever I go.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace during a wellness experience—whether it’s a quiet morning at a spa or simply a mindful walk in nature—especially when I can share that calm with my family. Those moments where we slow down together, breathe, and just enjoy being present with one another are when my heart feels completely at ease.

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Image Credits
Alexis Grace Tramontana

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