My Life Shaped by Loss
For as long as I can remember, community has been something I’ve felt deeply drawn to, a web of support and connection that gives life its wholeness. This is, in part, because I lost my dad when I was seven years old. It shifted my world and shaped who I am today.
As I grew older, I became fascinated by the psychological side of wellbeing, which led me to study psychology. Throughout my degree, I explored how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are shaped. The most powerful realisation struck me: the body and mind are completely intertwined. What affects one inevitably flows into the other, and true wellbeing comes from nurturing both together.
I became particularly curious about children’s wellbeing, how they are nurtured, and how the behaviours of the adults around them ripple down and shape their inner world. At the same time, I began to explore the idea that there is something greater than ourselves — a universal energy, a sense of interconnectedness, and a wider field of meaning that quietly holds and guides us.
A Growing Passion for Nutrition
As the years went on, my curiosity about wellbeing deepened. I became fascinated by how food, nature, and movement could nourish both body and mind. When I had my first child, this focus on wellness became even more present in my everyday life. At the same time, I was working as a music teacher, a role I held for a decade, which gave me a profound sense of connection and community.
In 2019, my husband Andy was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, and everything changed again. My interest in nutrition deepened in ways I never could have imagined. Cooking became an act of love and even more so, for survival. Every day, my family, friends and I prepared nourishing meals and took them into the hospital, determined to support Andy’s body and spirit in every way possible. I am forever grateful for my close community supporting and nurturing us in this way.
At that point, nutrition felt like everything—one tiny bit of sugar in his diet would send me into a panic. I tried to control it all and became obsessed. But over time, I returned to my core values: mind and body. Along the way, I discovered the crucial role of the nervous system in wellbeing—how balance, inner calm, and regulation shape our capacity to thrive. I’ve learned that true wellbeing is far more than food; nutrition comes after healthy relationships, a regulated nervous system, a steady circadian rhythm, and time spent outdoors.
Lessons Learned: Care, Presence, and Connection
Those long months in the hospital reminded me of the true power of care, presence, and community. They showed me how essential it is to hold onto hope, to nurture connection, and to stay present — even in the most challenging times.
Over the years, I’ve come to see that wellness is not just about what we eat or how we move, but about the quality of our connections — with ourselves, with others, and with the natural world. Creativity, too, plays a vital role in this, offering a space to explore, express, and deepen our bonds with life and those around us. It’s these lessons of presence, care, and connection — that have shaped the heart of Vivre Retreats and the experiences we create.
The Birth Of Vivre Retreats
In 2017, I set up Wanderlust Retreats, inspired by my love of travel and creating unique experiences. But after Andy recovered, everything shifted, I felt stuck in what i was doing. I took time away to reflect and remember why I had changed the name to Vivre — meaning “to live” in French — a word that captured my desire to live fully and meaningfully, with connection at the heart.
In March 2025, I finally ran my first retreat – created, nurtured, and hosted alongside the wonderful Wendy Jeavons. It was the moment Vivre Retreats truly came to life.
Vivre was born from a blend of passion and lived experience, with the vision of creating spaces for people to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves, others, and the beauty around them. Looking back, it feels fitting that “retreats” had been part of my business name for nearly ten years before becoming its true focus.
This first year has centred on women, as it felt like the most natural place to begin. But this is just the start. There’s so much more to come — from creative and wellness retreats here in Dorset to hiking adventures in the Dolomites and beyond. We’re also excited to welcome men into these spaces in the future, opening new ways for people to come together, restore, and thrive.
My hope is simple: that the people who join us on retreat leave feeling lighter, nourished, and more connected — to themselves and to each other — and carry a little spark of retreat magic back into their everyday lives.
🎙️ Recommended Podcast: The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
Episode: Water Fasting Scientist: Surprising Link Between Fasting & Cancer!
Listen on Spotify
This episode delves into the science of fasting and its potential benefits, offering insights into how our bodies can heal and thrive. It also resonates with my personal experience — when Andy was in hospital, his first two rounds of chemotherapy were unsuccessful, but during his third round, he unintentionally fasted because he simply couldn’t eat. Remarkably, this round was successful, and I strongly believe that fasting played a part in supporting his body through treatment.
🪴 Local Artist Spotlight: Barbara Green
Barbara Green is a distinguished Dorset artist known for her vibrant oil paintings, acrylics, etchings, and collagraphs. Her work often captures the essence of Dorset’s landscapes, infusing them with a sense of warmth and tranquility. Her work reflects the serene beauty of Dorset’s countryside, offering a visual escape into nature’s embrace.
Explore her work: Discover more about Barbara and view her portfolio at barbaragreen.co.uk.
Join us on our next retreat and experience how simple, mindful rituals such as eating together, walking in nature, creating, and resting can become anchors of renewal. Just as September invites us to soften into change, our retreats offer space to slow down and reconnect. It’s not about escape, but about returning home to yourself with a sense of balance.
Sacha and Naomi X