One Day to Change the World: Belgin Aksoy and the Global Wellness Day Movement
- Editorial Team
- Jun 14
- 5 min read
Interview with Belgin Aksoy | Founder of Global Wellness Day
On every second Saturday of June, millions across 170+ countries come together to pause, breathe, and ask: “How can I live a healthier and better life?”
What an incredible achievement! But how did the movement started and why! In honour of Global Wellness Day, we’re shining a light on the visionary behind it all—Belgin Aksoy. What began with a personal health awakening has blossomed into a worldwide movement, uniting people through the simple but powerful belief that “One day can change your whole life.”
In this inspiring conversation, Belgin shares her journey, the heart behind Global Wellness Day, and how small, mindful choices—especially for busy leaders and entrepreneurs—can lead to lifelong transformation.
Calmfidence: Global Wellness Day has grown into a worldwide movement since its inception. What inspired you to start it, and how has your vision evolved over time?
Belgin: Global Wellness Day was born from a very personal turning point in my life. Up until 2004, I believed I was living healthily—eating well, exercising regularly, and feeling fulfilled. But everything shifted when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Suddenly, I had to re-evaluate my entire way of living. During my radioactive iodine treatment, I was isolated in a hospital room for nine days. My son was only 17 months old at the time, and I had to abruptly stop breastfeeding. My hormones were in chaos, and emotionally, it was incredibly tough—but it also gave me time and space to reflect.
That period led me to a powerful realisation: health and happiness are completely intertwined. Balance became my compass. Wellness, which I hadn’t fully explored before, suddenly became my guide. Around that same time, we opened Richmond Nua Wellness Spa, which beautifully aligned with my renewed sense of purpose.
By 2012, I kept hearing this inner voice: “Okay Belgin, we made you sick and we made you well. Now that you see life differently—what will you give back to the world?”
One day, I searched online to see when Global Wellness Day was celebrated… and to my surprise, it didn’t exist. So, I decided to create it. Our first event took place at Richmond Nua Wellness Spa with just 150–200 people. It was simply called “Wellness Day” back then, and we chose the second Saturday of June. That small gathering turned out to be the seed of something far greater than I could have imagined.
Global Wellness Day is not just a celebration—it’s a wake-up call. Even one mindful moment, one nourishing choice, or one deep breath can set you on a completely different path.
Today, Global Wellness Day carries the message “One day can change your whole life!” and is celebrated every second Saturday in June. It’s a not-for-profit social movement designed to spark one essential question: “How can I live a healthier and better life?”—and to encourage both individuals and society to reflect on the importance of living well. Now in its 14th year, Global Wellness Day is celebrated in tens of thousands of locations across more than 170 countries, entirely through free community-led activities.
Calmfidence: How do you see the core message of Global Wellness Day—“One Day Can Change Your Whole Life”—resonating with busy entrepreneurs and leaders who often struggle to balance success with wellbeing?
Belgin: Entrepreneurs and leaders are often so focused on achieving their goals that they neglect their own wellbeing. The message behind “One Day Can Change Your Whole Life” is a gentle but powerful reminder that even small, mindful actions can create lasting shifts.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine. A few deep breaths, a nourishing meal, a short walk, or even a moment of digital detox can be a first step towards balance. Wellness doesn’t need to be complex or time-consuming—it’s about making conscious choices, even in the busiest of lives.
Calmfidence: At Calmfidence, we focus on ‘optimal performance without burnout’—how can leaders cultivate emotional self-leadership and resilience in line with Global Wellness Day’s principles?
Belgin: Leaders often carry immense responsibility, so emotional self-leadership becomes essential. It starts with self-awareness—tuning in to signs of stress or fatigue before they spiral.
Mindfulness, setting boundaries, asking for support, and nurturing healthy relationships are all vital. So is giving yourself permission to pause.
In the spirit of Global Wellness Day, it’s about weaving simple wellness practices into your daily routine and even into your workplace culture. When leaders prioritise their own wellbeing, they set an example and create ripple effects—positively impacting their teams, families, and wider communities.
Calmfidence: Looking ahead, what exciting developments or new initiatives can we expect from Global Wellness Day in the coming years?
Belgin: Looking to the future, one of my greatest hopes is to see Global Wellness Day officially recognised by the United Nations. It would be a monumental step—acknowledging that wellness is not just a personal matter, but a global priority.
Beyond that, I envision GWD becoming a catalyst for more wellness-driven education in schools, more mindful corporate cultures, and even government-supported wellbeing policies.
Imagine schools teaching emotional health, or companies using GWD to kick off year-long wellness initiatives. These dreams are closer than we think—if we continue working together. Ultimately, Global Wellness Day is a tool—a gentle invitation to pause and reflect. Even one day of intention can inspire a lifetime of transformation. That’s why we always say: “One day can change your whole life.”
Calmfidence: As a final thought, what simple yet lasting formula does Global Wellness Day recommend to help people turn inspiration into long-term sustainable outcomes — especially in a world that feels increasingly digital, demanding, and fast-paced?
Belgin: Global Wellness Day is meant to be a starting point—a spark of awareness that leads to daily habits and holistic success and wellbeing. Our goal isn’t just to host an event once a year, but to inspire people to carry that momentum into their everyday lives.
We promote the idea that wellness is not a luxury—it’s essential. That’s why we focus on consistency over intensity. Sustainable wellbeing comes from small, repeatable steps.
To support this, we developed the Global Wellness Day 7-Step Manifesto—simple daily actions that are accessible to everyone, regardless of income, background, or location:
Walk for an hour
Drink more water
Don’t use plastic bottles
Eat healthy food
Do a good deed
Have a family dinner with your loved ones
Sleep at 10:00 pm
These steps are practical, realistic, and meaningful—because wellbeing should be within reach for everyone.
Calmfidence: At Calmfidence World, we believe real change begins with a pause. A heartfelt thank you to you, Belgin, for sharing your story, your wisdom, and your incredible commitment to making wellness accessible for everyone. Best of luck with inspiring millions—and wishing you all the success and joy on this beautiful mission.
About Belgin Aksoy
Founder of Global Wellness Day | Visionary Wellness Pioneer
A graduate of the prestigious Institut Hôtelier César Ritz, Belgin Aksoy has spent over 30 years in hospitality—and more than two decades championing global wellness.
As the founder of Global Wellness Day, she transformed a personal health journey into a worldwide movement. Celebrated in over 170 countries, the day invites millions to reflect on one question: “How can I live a healthier and better life?” With its motto “One day can change your whole life,” GWD is marked by free, non-profit events that promote simple, meaningful lifestyle shifts. Belgin’s vision has earned her global acclaim, including the Leading Woman in Wellness award, Personality of the Year from La Fédération des Professionnels du Bien-Être, and a place among Medika Life’s Top 30 Influencers Transforming Wellness.
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