“If it’s both terrifying and amazing, then you should definitely pursue it” - erada 

Yesterday I completed my first two “blue water” dives in San Jose del Cabo with East Cape Explorers- open ocean, zero reference points other than the sunlight streaming down through the deep blue, and a max depth of 116 feet! We went in search of schooling scalloped hammerhead sharks as well as other large pelagic creatures. While we didn’t get a school, we did have the pleasure of watching one solo hammerhead swim by and a lovely, graceful manta ray swam with us for quite a bit of the dive. 
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Now you might be thinking “wow that’s cool” or even “holy crap!” depending on your relationship with the open ocean…for me, it was a really big deal and required some master level inner life coaching and yoga skills. 

You see, before I met my partner, Andy, I had some pretty massive fear stories I’d created over my lifetime in relationship to the ocean. It was not a place I belonged and was teeming with big scary things just ready to eat me (thank you Jaws). I was convinced I would never ever in a million years try scuba because I’d feel claustrophobic and being that far under water would be terrifying. 

Well, about 4 years ago all that changed when I started taking on my self-limiting fear stories and reinventing my life. So when Andy convinced me to just give scuba a try on our first trip to the Riviera Maya, I said what the heck I’m in. 

And man oh man am I so very glad I did!! Immediately all of those fear stories dissipated when I discovered the peace, intense beauty, grace, and magic that exists under the sea. It opened my eyes and my mind to literally a whole new world that I am now so very much in love with.

BUT…taking on this new challenge of “blue water” diving really got up in my head this past week leading up to our dives yesterday! I literally had at least a week of waking up every night to fear stories swimming around in my brain and running amok. I’d wake up in the morning exhausted and convinced something was going to go wrong. 
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Could I really control my descent? Would I feel stressed and unable to breathe at 100 feet? Would I be able to slowly ascend and not risk decompression sickness? Oh my little gremlins were having a major party. 

So what did I do? I sat with them. I talked to them. I reminded them that I was in charge. I used mantras to replace the thoughts. I practiced my breathing. And I shared my fears with Andy who gently but firmly reminded me that I am a great diver and totally ready to take on this new challenge. 
Then, as we began our first descent I TRUSTED and I SURRENDERED. I opened my eyes to the present moment and the mystery and magic around me. I focused on slow, peaceful breaths. I was simply present for what was. And it was truly amazing!

So my question for you today, my friend, I’d how much of life are you missing out on thanks to your fear stories? How much larger, more amazing, more beautiful, more fulfilling could your life be if you learned to surrender? 
Ready to explore life on the other side of fear? Let’s get on a coaching call and start to make some big magic happen for you!!

The Sunday Snack is BACK! As I sat down to write this newsletter for you I had a little “ah-ha” moment. It was that feeling in my gut that for so many years I’d ignored. That little voice saying, “You know what’s right for you, my friend” that I didn’t trust. The old me would get a gut feeling and then immediately start second guessing and overthinking it. She’d go ask 5 other people for their opinions because A) surely they knew better and B) making others happy was her main priority. 

What the older and wiser me has learned, though, is that by making myself happy and by living my truth I am a way more likable and lovable person! So the decision I made the other day was that I like The Sunday Snack. It speaks to me. I like the idea that each Sunday you get a little slice of positive goodness in your inbox that you can nibble on either right when it pops up or at your leisure during the week ahead. Sunday is both a day of rest and a time to prep for what’s on your plate the next few days. A perfect day for a little Sunday Snack news.

So what are we nibbling on today, you ask?

Well, I recently returned from 9 blissful days leading back-to-back Women’s Retreats on the Sea of Cortez in Mexico which got me thinking about why RETREATING is so very important for us to do. 
What is the difference between a Retreat and a vacation? I think of vacations as an escape from day to day life. They are about resting and relaxing, or adventure seeking depending on what you enjoy. While vacations are absolutely important and wonderful, typically you only come home with a souvenir or two, some great pictures and fond memories. Then back to “reality” you go. Picking up right where you left off.

A Retreat, on the other hand, is a PURPOSEFUL GETAWAY designed to immerse you in a transformational experience - this might include yoga, meditation, or even wine tasting or knitting if that’s your thing. The what isn’t as important as is the HOW and the INTENTION. 

To give you a little more insight, here’s short list of what you can expect on a Retreat:

• Retreats offer a full immersion into the practices being offered. It’s dedicated time to check out of daily life and check IN to yourself.
• They offer a greater level of CONNECTION with others. You spend time with others who have similar interests, issues, & goals which allows for deeper and more meaningful connections. 
• Retreats offer a healing and safe space which fosters growth.  Your retreat guide and other attendees are there to hold space for your growth. It’s a judgement-free zone where you can be vulnerable and feel protected.
• Often Retreats are held in nature where it is much easier to connect with yourself away from all of the normal distractions of life. Most retreats take place in beautiful settings near the ocean, in the countryside or up in the mountains.
• Retreats are fully planned for you - all you do is show up ready to immerse. How nice is it to not have to make any plans other than who is taking the kids to soccer practice or walking the dog? Just book a flight and you are done!
• Retreat leaders are experts in their field and offer specialized guidance. This is HUGE. Your retreat leader is sharing something they have spent their life working towards. They are there to share their knowledge and wisdom with you!
• And, most importantly, you have the opportunity to return home feeling a shift, a sense of change, growth, expansion, or letting go. You have new skills and tools that you can apply in your day-to-day life which helps you stay in touch with what you discovered during your time away!

Sounds pretty amazing, doesn’t it?
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Here are a few pics from my blissful time in the Bahia de los Sueños with two fantastic groups of women. Can you even handle those amazing shades of blue?!?!

Are you ready to RETREAT with me?
My next adventure for body, mind, & spirit is happening next July 2023 in BALI, Indonesia! This trip is open to men and women, couples, & singles seeking adventure, culture, self-connection, meaningful connections with others and a whole lot of BLISS in paradise. The trips is already over 1/2 full and is guaranteed to be sold out by the end of this year. I currently have 5 rooms left for either double or single occupancy. You can save yours today with a $300 deposit (next payment is due 1/15/23 and remaining balance due 5/1/23). To learn more about the trip, the amazing location, what’s included, as well as rooming and pricing options, use the link below: