By Jess Brito
Hi reader, my name is Jess, and I reside in Washington, DC. I recently came back from my first Alchemy retreat in Playa Maderas, Nicaragua. A little bit about me—the past few months had thrown some difficult challenges my way. Nothing we don’t all go through at some point, but I was in need of true healing that seemed just out of reach.
The lead-up to the retreat was filled with mixed emotions. Excitement was there, sure, but so was anxiety about the unknown. Could I keep up with the workouts? Would I find myself missing home? What if the group dynamics were off? I did my best to quiet those thoughts and told myself I’d soon find out.
We arrived at Playa Maderas at sunset, and the beauty really hits you out of nowhere. The cliff-drop view to the ocean, the stunning villas—it felt like we were part of the arrival scene from White Lotus, minus the crazy drama of course. This version was positive and uplifting.
Our first yoga session that evening was transformative. Led by the amazing and talented Sara, we practiced with the backdrop of the ocean’s waves crashing. I wish I could bottle up this yoga session and take it with me forever. Each pose and breath brought a deeper sense of calm, washing away my anxieties and replacing them with clarity and a surprisingly profound peace. I started to feel a sense of purpose, realizing, You’re exactly where you need to be.
The next morning we had our first HIIT workout in the jungle gym, led by Tim, whose energy is contagious and athleticism elevates the competitive nature of everyone. As the music started and everyone began moving, I thought to myself, I didn’t come this far to only come this far, so LFG. The air was filled with collective hard work and shared dancing, pushing each other unknowingly. I’ll be honest though, by the end of it all, the only thing I could think of was the amazing breakfast that awaited us. I was confident we were in good hands if it was anything like the previous night’s dinner.
The meals were AMAZING. As a Latina, the flavors reminded me of my childhood, comfort food at its finest but with a local freshness and cooked by the kindest staff which made us extra appreciative. The fruit selection was unreal—fresh papaya, passion fruit, bright red watermelon; you can’t find that just anywhere. The meals were always shared around a dinner table, nourishing not just our bodies but our souls, and fueling us for the activities to follow.
Surfing was our next adventure, and true to Sam’s words, the waves at Playa Maderas were indeed special. Sam took some time to share a bit about surfing history, explaining what made those breaks so sought after. After practicing our pop-ups on the beach, we hit the waves with the support of local surf coaches. Watching everyone catch their first wave was amazing; our faces lit up with confidence, me personally thinking, WAIT, am I REALLY GOOD at this? only to be swept away by the next five waves—it was a blast. Surfing will really humble you, but it makes you keep coming back for more.
As the week unfolded, so did our routine—more yoga, more HIIT, more surfing. But it was the moments in between—the laughter, the conversations, the shared silences—that truly enriched the experience. Our last night wrapped it all up with a surprise bonfire on the beach, under a sky so vast and clear, offering a break from our hectic city life. We each took a moment to jot down our reflections and things we wanted to let go of. I wrote about releasing doubt and fear, embracing the possibility that this year could be my best one yet.
Reflecting on these five days, I realize how much the power of community has impacted my healing. While I used to think of fitness as a solitary pursuit, this experience showed me it’s so much more meaningful when shared with others. This experience also taught me that healing can come from the most unexpected places. In my case, it was five days in a paradise jungle in Central America, surrounded by an incredible group of people. The healing I found in Playa Maderas wasn’t just about recovering what was lost; it was about discovering my resilience and developing a deeper appreciation for this magical place that brought it to me. And for the best part? I get to do it all over again, next time in Chamonix, France. See you in June!
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