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Rediscovering Myself: The Wellness Retreat That Changed Everything

This past fall, I embarked on a healthspan and wellness retreat in Costa Rica, an experience that reshaped the way I think about my health, my habits, and, ultimately, myself. It wasn’t just about nutrition, movement, or stress management; it was about reconnecting with parts of me that had been buried under the weight of responsibility for far too long.
 
One of the most profound moments came toward the end of the retreat when Dr. Eliza Klearman, Vail Health’s functional medicine provider, led us through a reflective exercise. She asked us to write a letter to ourselves, a snapshot of who we were at that moment, and a promise to prioritize what truly mattered. A few months later, those letters would arrive in the mail, serving as a tangible reminder of our intentions.
 
Before writing, we flipped through a deck of self-reflection cards, narrowing down three values to guide us forward. We then shared our choices with the group, an exercise that brought laughter, tears, and an unexpected sense of connection. Later, in a separate moment of release, we wrote down three things we wanted to let go of–thought patterns, habits, or self-imposed expectations that no longer served us. Since the rain prevented us from having a traditional fire ceremony, we symbolically burned our words in the sauna fire instead during our Goddess Ceremony on Halloween. It was a small, yet powerful act, reinforcing that growth isn’t about immediate transformation but about conscious, deliberate steps.
 
Months later, when my letter arrived, I was struck by my own words:
"Dear Kirsten,
 
I know you’ve had a lot on your plate for many months, years, even. You try so hard to be perfect, to manage everything, that it becomes overwhelming. The thing is, you need to let some things go. You need to stop holding yourself to unattainable standards. Through this workshop, you chose optimism, love, social connectedness, your husband, parenting, and mindfulness, even though you were supposed to pick just three (classic overachiever).
 
How are you doing now? Did you check off all the boxes? Are you living your new, perfect life? If not, don’t beat yourself up. You’re not perfect, and that’s okay. Small steps toward those values are enough. You are beautiful, and you can make these changes to lead a more mindful and connected life.
 
Love, 
 
Me"

Reading those words was a wake-up call. Had I truly followed through? Had I taken even small steps toward the life I envisioned? The retreat wasn’t just a temporary reset, it was a catalyst. Since returning, I’ve made my well-being a priority, not just for myself but for my family. I’ve incorporated heavier weight training (because I know it’s key), added Pilates, and even embraced sauna sessions, despite once dreading the heat. I’ve overhauled our meals, replacing processed foods with nutrient-dense options that fuel, rather than drain, us. But perhaps the most meaningful change has been the local support network I’ve built with incredible women from the retreat–women I likely never would have met otherwise. Many of them live in the Vail Valley, and we continue to support one another, meeting regularly to stay accountable, share recipes, push ourselves through workouts, and embrace the challenge of Arctic cold plunges, all while staying connected.
 
And then there was surfing.
 
I didn’t expect to fall in love with it, but I did. I had always assumed surfing wasn’t for me…too difficult, too intimidating. But in Costa Rica, with the encouragement of an amazing group of women and instructors, I paddled out and caught my first wave. The thrill was instant. I was hooked. And it made me realize just how many things I had dismissed in life without even trying.
 
That same realization rippled through our group. We ranged in age from our mid-20s to mid-60s, and not one of us had surfed before. Yet every single woman got up on the board. Every. Single. One. The sense of accomplishment was electric, and it reinforced something I hadn’t allowed myself to believe in a long time: We are capable of far more than we think.
 
This retreat wasn’t just about wellness in the traditional sense. It was about redefining what wellness means, not perfection, but presence. Not rigid discipline, but self-compassion. It gave me the space to recalibrate, step outside of my day-to-day routine, and reassess what I truly want out of life.
 
For anyone considering a wellness retreat, my advice is simple: Do it. It might just change everything.