Why Guatemala?
Five years ago, I was sitting at my Coast Guard desk, scrolling through Instagram, daydreaming about a life that felt more alive. My heart longed for adventures in foreign lands, for meaningful work that truly mattered, and for the kind of life that makes your soul light up. Instead, I was doing payroll, staring at the fluorescent lights, and asking myself, "Is this really it?"
Back then, the idea of hosting yoga retreats around the world or moving my family to another country felt like one of those wild fantasies you only dream of. But even in the middle of all that uncertainty, one thing was crystal clear: I wanted more.
Fast forward to today, and here I am writing this from Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, watching a volcano erupt over my morning coffee, living my dream of owning a retreat center. If you’re thinking, Wow, that’s quite a leap, trust me, it was. And not without its fair share of what-the-f***-are-we-doing moments.
When Derek (my husband and co-dreamer) first floated the idea of buying a retreat center, I thought, Okay, let’s just see where this goes. Within two weeks of discovering Saasil, I was on a plane to Guatemala. I move fast when I’m inspired—sometimes faster than my brain has time to process, which is probably for the best.
At first, we considered Costa Rica because, well, doesn’t everyone? But something didn’t feel right. Costa Rica has already perfected the art of the yoga retreat. I wanted somewhere off the beaten path, a place that felt raw and untouched, where I could build something special. The moment I saw Saasil and the peaceful shores of Lake Atitlán, I knew: This is it.
People often ask me, “Why Guatemala?” And the answer is simple: the lake called to me.
It’s not just beautiful; it’s otherworldly. Imagine waking up to a lake so serene it looks like a mirror, framed by three towering volcanoes.
The energy here feels ancient, sacred, transformative. It’s like Mother Earth herself decided to settle down and take up residence.
And the people—oh, the people. They are warm, welcoming, and endlessly proud of their culture. Did you know there are 22 native languages spoken around the lake? Spanish isn’t the first language here!
Moving to another country is no small feat, especially with two kids, a spouse fresh out of the military, and, oh yeah, an entire house worth of stuff to sell. Our last months in the U.S. were a whirlwind of packing, planning, and repeatedly asking ourselves, Are we actually doing this? Spoiler: We were.
Since arriving, it’s been an adventure, equal parts magical and messy. We’ve learned how to navigate life in a new language (and laugh and get laughed at alot), enrolled the kids in a local Waldorf school, and built a team of incredible employees from all over the world. And yes, lots of tears have been shed.
But the magic outweighs the chaos. Watching my daughters embrace bilingualism, feeling the lake’s energy every morning, and seeing Saasil come to life—it’s worth every moment of struggle.
What Makes Saasil Special?
As a retreat host, I had a clear vision for what I wanted to create:
Culture – A place where guests connect not just to themselves but to the vibrant history and traditions of Guatemala.
Impact – A center that gives back to the local community in meaningful ways.
Sustainability – Farm-to-table meals from gardens that nourish both body and soul.
Spiritual Connection – Land that feels like it’s humming with peace and possibility.
Beauty & Weather – Eternal spring and views so stunning they’ll ruin all your future Instagram captions because nothing else will compare.
Saasil is all of this and more. It’s a sanctuary where transformation happens—a place for people to pause, reset, and reconnect.
The past four months have stretched me in ways I never thought possible. Selling everything we owned, moving to a country where I have to Google half my grocery list in Spanish, and starting from scratch—it’s been a lot. But it’s also been everything.
Every morning, as I sip my coffee and watch the volcanoes paint the sky, I’m reminded why we did this. Saasil isn’t just a retreat center; it’s a living, breathing dream. It’s proof that sometimes the wildest leaps of faith take you exactly where you’re meant to be.
So here’s my advice to you: if there’s a dream tugging at your heart, don’t ignore it. Take the leap. Even if it feels impossible, even if people tell you it’s crazy—because trust me, the view on the other side is breathtaking.
If you ever find yourself looking for a place to pause, breathe, and reconnect, we’d love to welcome you to Saasil. Until then, keep dreaming big, my friend. You never know where those daydreams might take you.
