If you are an entrepreneur or leader who is craving time to focus on yourself and your own well-being, so you don’t burn out? Then YES!

This retreat will give you the time, space, community, and wellness experiences needed to relax, re-energize, get creative and inspired, so you can return to home and workplace feeling like a whole new person!

In other words, this experience has been designed specifically for YOU!

This wellness-based retreat for leaders and entrepreneurs is more than just a luxury vacation in an exotic place. It is an investment in yourself that can have an impact on your family life and your business!

The better question might be: Can I afford NOT to attend? And, what is the cost of NOT attending?

Why? Because if you burn out, your business burns out! If you bring tired energy, your team and your clients absorb that tired energy.

This retreat is designed not only to support you personally, but it is designed to support your business! You’ll be learning the latest research on how leaders’ well-being and focus on well-being at work supports companies’ biggest goals and addresses their biggest concerns. I’ve done the research for you, so you don’t have to (and, let’s not forget that my background is in mental health which is a pretty hot workplace topic right now!). I’m not an accountant, but this sure sounds like a deductible business expense 😉

I get it! I’m an entrepreneur myself, so I know that we stay busy! This is one of the reasons that I’ve designed this retreat, so there is very little preparation on your end! All you have to do is sign up, book your flight, and everything else will be planned out for you!

I also know that entrepreneurship can be exhausting which is exactly why we need to get away!

Have you ever struggled to complete a task, but then you stepped back, took a break, only to find that you later returned to the task and completed it with ease? That’s EXACTLY what getting away can do for you! Taking a break allows us to work efficiently and effectively!

And, guess what? I’ve got you covered, because I created a check-list to help you plan and prepare for leaving the office! I’ll be sharing this very special check-list that I’ve created just for you prior to our retreat!

Do you have a team? Stepping away to focus on your own self-care models healthy behavior for your team. It also shows that you trust them to handle their work while you’re out of the office.

A general overview of the program has been provided for you on this page, and a more specific itinerary will be provided during the retreat.

Depending on the group’s needs and energy, the itinerary may shift. This allows for a more organic and authentic flow that is based on the needs of our group and our direction at any one time.

As a general overview, you’ll wake up each morning to your favorite hot beverage being delivered to your room. From there, you’ll get to enjoy quiet moments of reflection while taking in the gorgeous view and sounds of nature. We will gather for 3 deliciously nourishing meals each day while enjoying ongoing access to local teas. You will also get to enjoy the gourmet coffee bar, smoothie bar, and healthy elixirs.

Each day, we’ll have at least 2 educational and/or process-based reflection sessions twice a day. All experiences will take place in beautiful outdoor structures that allow you to feel a part of nature.

Each day also includes a unique wellness activity that you simply cannot find anywhere!

If you would like to sign up with a partner or family member, you can simply sign up at the same time or send me an email to let me know that you would like to room together.

If you are signing up alone for a double occupancy room, know that we can pair you with a roommate.

This, my friend, is the beauty of participating in a retreat. It is an amazing opportunity to build a new community of really special people. Plus, you’ll get to meet other participants during our online orientation video call before we leave. I’ll also be putting everyone in a whatsapp group, so you can chat and get to know one another even before we land in Costa Rica!

As a therapist and someone who loves hosting, know that I am very intentional about creating opportunities for people to feel welcomed, accepted, and valued. Our day 1 experiences are designed to get to know one another and to develop a shared understanding of how we will co-exist during our time together.

I know that meeting new people can make some people feel nervous. Know that our experiences are designed to foster connection, AND if you wish to make it known to me (or others) that you need some extra support in this area, that’s OK too.

If this is your first time traveling alone or traveling to a new country, know that I am so very excited for you!! You are about to have a memorable, life-enriching experience!

This is YOUR retreat, and therefore YOUR experience. You are in control of your own choices and decisions around the experiences you’d like to have.

With that being said, every aspect of this retreat has been thoughtfully designed with a particular purpose in mind. Our schedule is intended to facilitate the transformation you desire, and I have a feeling you won’t want to miss a thing!

You’ll need to fly into the SJO airport in Costa Rica. The contract that I’ll send you after sign-up includes all of the details of when and how you should book your flight.

Personally, I will be flying into SJO on 4/13/24, and I’ll be flying out on 4/20/24, a day before and after the retreat.

All meals at the Imiloa Institute are vegan and include organic, locally sourced products. They can make accommodations for allergies, although they are an animal product-free campus.

If you have a specific food allergy, please let me know by sending me an email at melissa@lifespringcounseling.net, and I will be sure to notify the team.

The Imiloa Institute regularly hosts retreats with international travelers without any safety concerns. As always, you should use standard precautions anytime you travel.

As soon as you make your way to the domestic airport and through immigration near SJO, you’ll be taken care of by our team. The domestic airport is VERY small, and we’ll all be waiting together.

You can always research travel and safety alerts with the U.S. Department of State. Click here to learn more about travel to Costa Rica.

Expect hot weather in April. Some rain is possible. For more accurate information on weather, be sure to search online right before our trip.

A packing list is included in the contract that I’ll send over after sign-up. In general, you’ll want to bring light, airy clothes that are casual and comfortable. There’s no need to get fancy or dressed up here!

Our retreat officially begins on 4/14/24, and it ends on 4/19/24. If you wish to arrive early or extend your stay, you certainly may make your own arrangements. You will simply need to make sure that you are able to get on all of the private flights that have been arranged for you for the retreat. Any other lodging arrangements will need to be made at places other than the Imiloa Institute as it is not possible to extend your stay at Imiloa.

Yes, you will have internet access from your room and other locations on campus. There are wifi-free areas on campus designed to help you be fully present and in the moment for this experience.

Keep in mind, the more you are able to disconnect from everything at work and home, the more benefits you will gain from this experience. The preparing to get out of the office worksheet I will send you before the retreat will help you prepare to be as disconnected as possible from technology.

At this time, COVID-19 is still a reality. For the safety of others, it is recommended that you take a COVID test prior to coming if you are experiencing symptoms.

Airlines are no longer refunding trips for cancellations due to illness with COVID. This is just one of the many reasons that you are STRONGLY encouraged to purchase the Global Rescue travel insurance with a cancel for any reason clause.

Masks are not required at this location. If you personally feel more comfortable masking during the retreat, please know that you are 100% invited and welcome to do so. I personally always mask up when traveling by plane.