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At USD's Palomar Health Student Wellness Center, wellness isn't just a routine - it's a lifestyle, a place where students are learning how to be the best versions of themselves. Opened in April, the three-story, 80,000 square-foot facility is redefining campus wellness. Students do more than work out - they move with purpose, rest intentionally, connect meaningfully, learn continuously and nourish their minds, bodies and spirits.

The center is organized around five pillars of wellness - movement, nourishment, restoration, community and connection, and learning. Together, the spaces and programming create a vibrant hub where students thrive academically, socially and personally.

MOVEMENT

Reframing movement - from just exercise for fitness and appearance to a holistic approach to wellness - is essential to building individuals who are not only strong, but who are also capable and resilient.

"When we think about physical activity, the conversation around fitness is frequently dominated by aesthetics," said Interim Assistant Director of Fitness Programs Reynaldo Martorell. "But what if we shifted our focus from how we look to how we move? What if the true measure of wellness wasn't a number on a scale, but the freedom and mastery of our own bodies?"

This shifting mindset can be beneficial for everyone - especially college students - who face both academic and social pressures, Martorell explained. "Body awareness leads to an increase in movement quality. We are not just training our muscles, we're developing a profound connection between our mind and body, which can lead to increased confidence, reduced stress and a strong sense of self."

The wellness center is intentionally designed to be a hub for diverse types of movement.

"The goal is to provide a space where every student, regardless of their background or fitness level, can find a form of movement that resonates with them," he said.

From the strength floor and cardio rooms for structured, goal-oriented exercises, to features like the outdoor turf space for more creative, free-flowing movement, the center runs the gamut on what is possible. Beyond individual workouts, group fitness studios and specialized programming are essential to building community within the center.

"Ultimately, focusing on movement is about empowering students to live fuller, more vibrant lives," Martorell said. "It's about giving them the physical capacity to pursue their dreams and to engage in activities that go far beyond the confines of a gym. It's about building a body that can carry them through a lifetime of adventure."

A key element of this movement-centric approach for anyone is to view it as a way to add to your life, rather than just taking things away, he said.

"The key is to find what you love and then train your body to do it even better," Martorell said. "When your movement goals are tied to activities you genuinely enjoy, you're far more likely to stay motivated. There's an incredible sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing tangible improvements in a skill you care about."

NOURISHMENT

The center's design fosters connections between physical activity, diet and mental health. By offering spaces where students can engage in wellness activities and access nutritious resources, the center promotes a balanced lifestyle that supports academic performance and personal well-being.

A cornerstone of the center's approach to nourishment is its state-of-the-art teaching kitchen. This facility serves as a hub for students to engage in hands on learning about healthy cooking and nutrition. Programs offered include nutrition workshops, healthy cooking classes, and food and culture programs that connect students with community gardens, local farmers markets and diverse culinary traditions. These initiatives aim to empower students to make informed dietary choices that support their academic and personal success.

The center also features a juice bar offering nutritious beverages that promote hydration and energy. Finally, the facility provides dye-free, fragrance-free and eco-conscious wellness products, ensuring a holistic approach to nourishment that considers both internal and external health factors.

RESTORATION

Restoration is a crucial component of whole-person wellness. One of the goals of the wellness center is to offer spaces and experiences that encourage students to slow down, rest and restore themselves.

"Physical health is a great way to restore, but we also offer so many other aspects that relate to holistic wellness," said Assistant Director of the Palomar Health Student Wellness Center Matthew McIver. "We have mental health opportunities with the help of counselors, social health through connecting with friends online in our E-Sports Lounge, mental and emotional health with a rejuvenation room with two nap pods and art therapy. There are so many unique opportunities in this space that allow our community to slow down and rest in a way that works for them - that was really important to us when designing the spaces."

Elements such as light, sound and scent also play a critical role in cultivating a restorative atmosphere in the center. "All of these things add a freshness to the building, in a way that we hope encourages productivity and directly contributes to mood, physiology and cognitive function," McIver said. "The floor-to ceiling windows and beautiful views from our terraces encourage our community to take advantage of the beautiful sunlight we get in San Diego, which directly relates to stress relief and relaxation. Overhead ambient music throughout the space brings liveliness and a fun, contagious energy to the building. And aromatherapy engages the limbic system, helping with relaxation, stress relief, motivation and rest."

The ultimate advice McIver has for individuals looking to restore: start outside. "Getting outside and being in the sun can be so restorative and a great start," he said.

CONNECTION & COMMUNITY

The center really focuses on creating opportunities for shared experiences, said Associate Director of Health Promotion Anne Clark.

"Whether it's through a group fitness class, a meditation or self-love workshop, or something more creative like a crafting session, the events held in the center are designed to make wellness accessible and social," Clark said. Even beyond the programming, the physical space itself is intentionally set up to bring people together and make it easy for students to connect with one another.

"There's a lot of open space and lounge-style seating both inside and outside of the building - giving students space to study, eat and socialize in the same areas where they can also engage in more structured wellness activities."

The university's Be Well Fair in September was the perfect example of this pillar.

"The event brought together a wide range of wellness resources, and students got to connect directly with staff and student employees from these offices. I spoke with several students who were telling me how they were eager to bring their friends to the upcoming events and resources they were able to learn about through the fair. Hosting the fair was especially meaningful because it not only promoted the building's resources, but also showed that we're really a hub for all kinds of wellness on campus. It highlighted how our space can support different offices and groups while giving students a chance to discover and connect with resources that fit their own wellness journey."

For individuals looking to reinforce their own sense of community, Clark says openness and consistency are the key.

"Even just showing up in shared spaces, like studying in a shared space versus your own dorm room, or attending a group fitness class versus working out on your own, creates more opportunities for those chance encounters that often turn into real connections. On top of that, staying consistent in working through the discomfort that can often come when approaching someone new or extending invitations to others to join, is so important. Most people are looking for connection just as much as you are, so putting yourself out there, even in small ways, can make a big difference over time."

LEARNING

The wellness center is a living classroom for holistic well-being. Through diverse programs, routines and experiential learning, students gain both practical skills and self-awareness, connecting their wellness practices to personal growth, academic success and meaningful social interactions.

"Students' learning in the traditional classroom is so important, and their well-being is an important part of that, and we want our community to learn that connection," said McIver. "The center offers so many ways to learn about how those are tied together. One example is our Group Fitness program, which can teach our community teamwork and engagement, giving and receiving feedback, commitment and overcoming challenges."

The whole wellness team at USD is committed to educating and offering support for the campus community.

"A really beautiful part of this center is that we can use this space to host and/or partner with the full wellness team to offer those opportunities. We want to be intentional about the opportunities we offer and make sure that there is something for everybody to participate in," McIver said.

"One of my student employees, Kendall, actually said something that stuck with me. She said, 'I'm learning that relaxation is productive' and I think that is an incredible concept for people to understand. Learning to take time for yourself, practice self care, take a break … those are all necessary to thrive and succeed in the classroom and in your daily life."

- Story by Matthew Piechalak

'Wellness Redefined' was a feature story in the Fall 2025 issue of University of San Diego Magazine.