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Jack sought an escape from a demanding life, but was afraid to release control. When he did, what he found was profound restoration.
Jack had long harbored a deep desire for change: “I knew for years I wanted to get away and experience life off the grid—to not be connected and see that it’s OK.” Yet, this yearning was deeply intertwined with apprehension.
“I knew that if I went, I would learn to let go a bit, but it was a thought that scared me. Giving up control, not having an agenda, going by myself, and doing deep work really terrified me.” Life had become a relentless cycle of demands for Jack.
“I knew I needed a reset because I had a list of things I wanted to change and needed time to figure out how to do them, but I could never find five minutes to just sit down and think. I was always putting out fires, always busy, and too anxious to be with myself. My thoughts were all over the place—thinking about ten things at the same time and never able to relax.”
The turning point came through a trusted source. “I spoke to my therapist about it, and she recommended this place.”
As soon as he connected with our reservation specialist, Jack said that he knew it was the place for him; this initial interaction with Hacienda immediately dissolved fears for Jack. “She made it so easy and made me feel so at ease that all my fears went away.”
The genuine care was palpable from the start. “The way she asked questions, the genuine interest, the way she understood me and was so intuitive—it really got me excited.” This conversation led to a tailored program, designed to support Jack’s healing journey.
A profound sense of belonging took root for Jack even before arrival. “From that first conversation, I could tell that HDS was like a family. They really cared, they really understood me, and they were there to help. I felt safe, at peace, and already like I was part of the family—like I knew everyone before I even got there.”
Even a last-minute booking and specific dietary needs were seamlessly handled. “On top of that, they were super accommodating to my Kosher diet, arranging everything for me even with a very last-minute booking, which made it even better.”
Jack’s journey began with an unexpected detox. “Ironically, I left New York with the beginnings of the flu. But within hours of arriving, it was completely gone.” Though, he admits, “it took me a day to let go of my phone and stop the urge to check it after every interaction – to fully settle in and quite my mind.” But by the second day, a remarkable shift occurred. “On day two, I remember feeling so calm in yoga, fully present in my body, and realizing, ‘Wow, I didn’t even notice how agitated I was yesterday.'”
The environment itself felt instantly welcoming. “From the moment I arrived, the other guests made me feel at home. They included me in conversations, invited me to beach excursions—it was an immediate sense of belonging. The physical space was exactly what I needed: vast grounds, hiking trails, saunas, pools, quiet spaces to journal, and a stunning yoga chalet.”
He embraced personal autonomy, even within the scheduled activities. “I woke up super early—around 4 AM—journaled, and went to the beach before the first yoga class. I never missed morning breathwork and yoga. By day 2 or 3, I realized I didn’t need to do everything. I skipped a few afternoon classes to prioritize time alone in the woods. That was a big lesson for me—learning that I don’t have to do everything just because I can.”
Jack’s initial intention shifted profoundly as he deepened into his stay: “I came in thinking my intention was just to quiet my monkey mind. But after being there and doing the energy work, I realized I had been looking at it from such a practical perspective—like I just needed to calm down, focus, and organize my thoughts. I didn’t expect to go deeper.” What he discovered was a path inward. “I started seeing how much of this work starts within—how I needed to work on loving and accepting myself, how much I needed to deal with shame and unlock old childhood trauma if I really wanted to heal.”
A pivotal moment unfolded for Jack during a forest walk. “I felt safe, not needing a map, not needing people, not needing my phone. I wasn’t worrying. I was just present. It was such a simple thing, but I hadn’t felt that way in years—just trusting myself, trusting the moment, and not feeling like I had to be somewhere else. It was like I tapped into a part of myself that had been there all along but had been buried under years of noise, pressure, and distractions. I felt loved, validated, and whole without needing anything external to give me that feeling.”
The collective energy proved transformative. “The intimate setting and deep sense of community were the biggest differences. Everyone there was on a similar journey, and that shared purpose created a level of support and openness I had never experienced before.” There was an undeniable “energy in the jungle—whether it was the land itself, the collective love and peace generated by the work we were all doing, or both.” This powerful synergy culminated in a breakthrough during Craniosacral therapy. He says, “I broke down sobbing—something I had been trying to do for 20 years. I had always felt blocked, unable to release those emotions, but for the first time, I felt truly held. That release was profound.”
Jack recognized a pattern: “I realized how much I run away from myself—how I stay busy to avoid slowing down. And yet, slowing down created the biggest shifts.” The retreat revealed a new way of being. “I left understanding that I make better decisions, connect more deeply, and lead my team better when I’m calm. But the biggest revelation? That I need to love myself, without needing validation from others or achievements to prove my worth.”
The departure was bittersweet. “Leaving was hard. Saying goodbye to the people was the hardest part—it was difficult even when someone left mid-stay. The connections were so genuine.”
Remarkably, the profound effects lingered for Jack. “Even now, months later, just thinking about HDS brings me peace. It was the calmest and most serene time of my life.” The experience didn’t just offer respite. “I can return to that state when I need to. HDS didn’t just give me an experience—it gave me a new tool, maybe the most important one I’ve ever had.”
Practical habits shifted profoundly for Jack. “The biggest change has been waking up 1–2 hours earlier. I finally learned how to go to sleep early, and I love how my circadian rhythm synced up.” The guidance received reshaped priorities. “The coaches there completely shifted how I see life. Connecting with such pure, loving humans made me rethink my priorities. I’m more mindful and intentional with my time. My wife and kids come first now—work is in the backseat.” Focus improved dramatically. “My focus has improved, especially with my new morning routine—waking up early, feeling refreshed, journaling, and starting the day with gratitude.”
The yearning to return remains, accompanied by delightful deliberation. “I definitely want to go back. I just don’t know how! Do I go alone again? Do I bring my wife? Do I encourage her to go alone so she can have the same experience? Do I go with the same group I met there, or do I open myself up to a whole new experience? Too many options!”
The community formed at HDS continues to thrive. “I’ve stayed in touch with the people I met there—we even have a group chat. One of them lives near me, and we’ve been meeting up for cold plunges regularly. He keeps me accountable to what we learned at HDS, and it’s been a great way to stay connected. It’s rare to find people who challenge and inspire you like that, and I’m so grateful for it.”
Please note before booking that Hacienda Del Sol is NOT a medical facility. We do NOT have medically trained staff, and we do NOT give medical advice. All participants are responsible to get clearance from their doctor before participating in any of our programs. Furthermore, Hacienda Del Sol is 3 hours from the closest hospital and 45 minutes from the closest clinic, therefore participants with health conditions that require fast access to health care should take that into consideration before making a reservation.
Get the exact transformation your soul is craving.
Take a moment to get quiet and go within to discover the perfect retreat for revitalizing your mind-body-spirit, leaving you refreshed, renewed, and in love with your life.
