Resources
Why did I create this business? 🤔
I’ve always liked Marketing for Hippies because Tad’s approach is authentic and non-salesy. His recent Reel prompted a reflection: Out of all the businesses in the world, why did I choose this one? After some thought, this was my answer:
To create retreats and group travel experiences that are mental health friendly.
Hostels and packaged trips often cater to the party-loving, Instagram/TikTok-ing, bucket-list-checking flashpackers. I was one of them until work burnout and depression hit. Continue reading…
Inspiring reviews from our retreat participants ❤️
If you enjoyed last weekend’s video testimonial, you’ll love these success stories from our retreat participants!
Alyssa’s review on Google:
“I had an amazing time on this retreat Anna created. It had all the components of a trip I was looking for and more. A very relaxing trip with new and adventurous excursions with also a learning aspect. Not only did I have so much fun, it also allowed me to think deeply about myself. I highly recommend Anna’s retreat if you are interested in what the retreat is providing.” Continue reading…
First retreat: a SUCCESS! Next retreat: January 2025✨
I hosted my first mental wellness retreat, and it was a huge success!
It took a year to plan, fill, and sell out this retreat, and everything went incredibly well. The biggest gain for me was the confidence and belief that I can do this, and do it really well.
All of my life experiences — my neuroscience background, the hustle from tech startups, Airbnb hosting, solo travelling, yoga teacher training — all contributed to the success of this retreat. And because of it, I’ve become a better experience curator, empathetic listener, and a safe space creator.
The 9 of us came together as perfect strangers, each bringing kindness, humour, and wisdom, and left, 8 days later as friends.
This retreat has taught me that (continue reading…)
A SOLD OUT RETREAT!
The best birthday gift to myself this year? Selling out my first mental wellness retreat!
If you'd asked me a year ago if I could envision this moment, the honest answer would've been no. Just the other day, a Facebook Memory reminded me that about a year ago, I took the leap and purchased the domain for Healing Journey Retreats:
The ultimate travel packing list
Happy Easter 🐰! This long weekend we’ve changed Airbnb’s in Tulum and had to pack and unpack our stuff. After having travelled to 90+ places in the world, and having had weekend trips as well as year-long journeys, I’ve gotten really good at packing.
Interestingly, longer trips don't necessarily equate to more luggage, as frequent laundry sessions become the norm. Conversely, weekend escapades for special occasions tend to require multiple outfit changes per day. The last factor for packing also depends on what the destination is — be it a 5-star all-inclusive resort, a hotel, a hostel, or an Airbnb for a weekend vs. 3 months — for example, do they have a hairdryer, and Tupperware? Continue reading…
1 spot left on the mental wellness retreat (April 21-28) in Tulum Mexico 😱!
Soooo we have ONLY 1 spot left on the Tulum Mexico mental wellness retreat this April (21-28th) 2024! It’s a triple occupancy room (meaning you’ll be sharing with 2 other lovely women) for $2497 USD. Is it going to be yours? If you’ve been on the fence considering, then this is the last chance to book it now!
Over the last week, two more people booked, bringing us to 7 retreat participants, and I am over the moon! 🚀🌝 Continue reading…
🧠 Neuroscience Nuggets: Journey to Mental Wellness in Tulum Mexico 🌴
Did you know that there was a period in my life when I was deeply immersed in neuroscience? I was studying neuroscience, working at the Montreal Neurological Institute, and living on Doctor Penfield Avenue, a street named after the renowned American-Canadian neurosurgeon!
The last few weeks have brought me back to that time, as we're now almost one month away from the mental wellness retreat in Tulum, Mexico, and I couldn't be more excited!
I've been fully immersed in crafting the workshop content for the retreat, and it's been an exhilarating journey. Working on these workshops really gets me into a flow state, a concept rooted in neuroscience by Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
This is what truly sets apart my retreat from most yoga retreats around the world. Here are some of my favourite concepts of neuroscience that we’ll be diving deep into on the retreat: Continue reading…
On yoga classes and toxic bosses
Yesterday marked a milestone for me: I taught my very first official yoga class, and let me tell you, it felt absolutely amazing!
Reflecting on this experience, I couldn't help but acknowledge the immense journey that led me to that moment. From completing my professional 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program, to soaking up the wisdom of countless yoga classes I've attended as a student over the past 15+ years, every step played a crucial role in preparing me for that class.
YTT was essential for understanding the history, ethics, concept of sequencing, timing, consent, and safety of teaching yoga. The thousands of yoga classes from all over the world was eye opening for variety, nuances, wisdom, humility, and inspiration.
I saw myself drawing from all of the knowledge throughout this journey, learning from the best yoga teachers I’ve had the privilege of being a student of, and also the “what not to do” from the handful of bad classes and studios I’ve come across. Continue reading…
Free and affordable Mental Health Resources 🧠
Here are some of the free and affordable mental health resources that I’ve compiled over the years that have helped me during difficult times. Continue reading…
How to join the Healing Journey Retreat: Tulum Mental Wellness Retreat
For months, I grappled with finding an authentic approach to market and sell the retreat that resonated with me.
I had to avoid the typical snake oil salesman pitch — those "Are you experiencing XYZ? This will transform your life!"-type infomercial spiels just didn't sit right with me.
Instead, I turned to my love for journaling as a mental health practice and came up with a simple idea: the 5 W's and an H. It felt genuine, informative, and aligned with my values.
Over the past few weeks, I've covered everything you need to know:
What is the retreat about, what does it entail & include
When & where is the retreat taking place, the location, venue choice, safety of Mexico
Why did I create this retreat, my own healing journey
Why you should attend this retreat & an example of a payment plan to finance the retreat
Reviews & testimonials to confirm your doubts
FAQ to address your concerns
And now, the final piece of the puzzle – the how: Continue reading…
FAQs - mental wellness retreat
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the Tulum Mexico mental wellness retreat in April:
🧠 Mental health issues often require long-term treatment, how can a week-long retreat help me?
🤨 I've come across wellness retreats pushing spiritual/religious practices, timeshares, or MLMs. How does this retreat ensure a different experience?
🧐 Is this area of Mexico safe?
💰 I'd love to join, but cost is a barrier. What are some options? Do you offer payment plans?
😬 I’m concerned about traveling with people I don’t know.
Ratings & reviews: character testimonials ⭐️
There's a Chinese saying, "万事开头难," which translates to "everything's hard in the beginning."
As a first-time entrepreneur, I'm immensely grateful for those who've chosen to trust, encourage, and believe in me — even when I struggled to do so myself.
The first retreat guest who signed up is a dear friend of mine of 15 years, and the second is an ex colleague from a job over 10 years ago. The next one is a referral from my mom’s colleague, and then two strangers from the internet. It takes so much time to start a business, let alone a high-ticket investment like retreats, and one for mental wellness, which is still stigmatized to some extent.
This has been by far the hardest thing I’ve done in my life, and without the support of family and friends, I wouldn’t have made it this far. Continue reading…
6 reasons to attend a mental wellness retreat
A year ago, I got laid off from my tech job and, despite financial uncertainty, I signed up for a $3000+ yoga retreat in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
I know that that’s not a decision most people without jobs would make, but I knew deep down that my mental well-being was worth every penny. I’ve never regretted these investments in myself, in fact extremely grateful for prioritizing my mental health knowing the potential long-term benefits outweighed the short-term financial strain.
Last month, I finally paid off the retreat on my monthly plan (more on this below), and although it was scary living off savings for a year, I still believe that money can be replenished later, but time can’t. Continue reading…
Why did I create this retreat?
On the who, what, when & where train, we’re at the why now — WHY did I create this retreat?
I created this retreat out of my own healing journey with mental health recovery. ❤️🩹
Over the past decade of working in the tech industry, I went through cycles of burnout, anxiety, and depression.
From the latest one, I decided to spend 3 months in Mexico, hoping this escape from Canadian winter would help my mental health.
Coming out of the Cancun airport — feeling the sun on my face, warm air in my lungs, seeing lush green palm trees and flowers blossoming in full colour — my anxiety began to lift. Continue reading…
When & where is the retreat?
Short answer: April 21-28th, 2024 in Tulum Mexico!
In 2017, I ventured to Tulum for a dear friend's destination wedding, and Mexico instantly captivated me with its charm—the weather, nature, people, food, and the mesmerizing cenotes!
Little did I know, Tulum would become my healing sanctuary in 2023 and the birthplace of Healing Journey Retreats.
Discovering its rich Mayan heritage and mystical energies only deepened my connection to this sacred land, making it the perfect setting for my mental wellness retreats.
When searching for the perfect retreat venue, I sought more than just a typical all-inclusive resort or bustling hotel.
That's when I discovered Dora Resort— a serene oasis tucked away in the heart of Riviera Maya's jungle, a mere 15 minutes from Tulum.
As a true retreat venue, this gem offers a tranquil sanctuary away from the crowds. Continue reading…
Who is the Tulum Mexico wellness retreat for?
Last weekend I wrote about the WHAT of the April Tulum Mexico retreat — what it the retreat about, what does it entail, what will we do, what’s included — and now, let’s talk about: WHO is the retreat for?
If you've been through some tough times lately and you're looking for more than just a vacation, this retreat is for you.
While all-inclusive resorts have their appeal, sometimes you crave something more mindful, cleansing, and rewarding.
You’d gladly trade the all-you-can-binge-eat and-drink for a healthier journey that includes self-reflection and inner growth.
Moreover, by the time you return home, you'll not only feel rejuvenated and refreshed but also enriched by the bonds forged with a close-knit community of supportive, kindred spirits. Continue reading…
What is the mental wellness retreat in Tulum Mexico about?
What does it entail? What will we do? I’ve had friends and acquittances ask me: what is your retreat exactly, what are you offering?
In this upcoming series of who-what-when-where-why-how and more, I’ll be breaking down the upcoming April Tulum Mexico retreat in detail.
From Sunday, April 21st to Sunday, April 28th, 2024, I hope to provide a 7-night transformational, healing, and rejuvenating retreat experience for us high-achieving, A-type perfectionists who have walked the path of burnout and mental health struggles for too long, too far, too often.
This is a safe haven for us. Continue reading…
Hola from Mexico 👋🏻 and only 3 spots left on the retreat 😱!
Last Sunday I visited Dora Jungle, the venue for my upcoming April mental wellness retreat in Mexico 🤩 I was wowed by the photos months ago but it’s even more beautiful in person 😍
And just when I thought things couldn't get more exciting, I woke up on Monday to find that two more people had signed up for the retreat! We're now at 5 participants, and depending on room types, there are only up to 3 spots left. So, be sure to secure your spot for this transformative retreat now.
I can’t wait to host my retreat here with my fellow healing journeyers ✨ Continue reading…
Introducing: Meet-up Circles!
Want a taster of what the retreat is like? Want to meet the other retreat participants? One of the hurdles of signing up to a 7-night destination retreat in Mexico with strangers is:
I don’t know any of these people, are we going to get along? How do I know that we’re actually “like-minded”? What if is there is an asshole that just ruins it for everyone?
I’ve been on a retreat where I wished they had introduced everyone beforehand, so learning from that experience, now I’m making this a part of my business process.
Introducing: Meet-up Circles.
Vibe check? ✅ Connection ✅ Feel supported and loved in a non-judgemental, safe space ✅
Sign up for a FREE Meet-up Circle and get to know each other! Continue reading…
New Year’s Realizations
2023 was the first and full year where I worked for myself, and on myself.
It was so difficult — the learning curve so steep, the growth so uncomfortable — that it felt like all I did was survive. And I did! 💪🏻😮💨
Even though I still haven’t quite fully embraced the identity of an “entrepreneur” yet, here are some lessons learned…