Ayahuasca Retreat: A Journey That Saved My Life

There was a time when my life looked perfect from the outside. I had a following on Instagram, lived what many would call a glamorous lifestyle, and appeared to have it all together. But the truth was very different. Inside, I felt lost, broken, and disconnected from myself. What I didn’t know back then was that one decision — to attend an Ayahuasca retreat — would change everything and give me my life back.

Hitting Rock Bottom

Before finding Ayahuasca, my life was a cycle of destructive choices. I left home young, got caught in unhealthy relationships, and turned to drugs to escape the pain. On social media, it looked like I was thriving, but when the screen turned off, I was battling depression, addiction, and a deep sense of emptiness.

I reached a point where I woke up one day and whispered to myself, “I can’t live like this anymore.” That was the moment I silently asked the universe for help. And help came — in the form of a word I had never heard before: Ayahuasca.

My First Ayahuasca Retreat

After researching for months, I made the decision to travel to the Amazon, where the medicine comes from. I booked a 10-day Ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador, unsure of what to expect but certain that I needed change.

The first ceremony was intense. I hadn’t followed the dieta properly, and Ayahuasca didn’t let me hide from that. I purged, I cried, and I was forced to face everything I had been running from. But through that process, something shifted. I felt alive again — as if I had been reborn.

That retreat gave me the strength to quit drugs and start fresh. It wasn’t easy, but for the first time in years, I felt like I had a future worth living.

If you’ve ever felt the call to experience deep healing, I invite you to explore what an Ayahuasca retreat can offer.

The Power of Ceremony

What makes an Ayahuasca retreat so transformative isn’t just the medicine itself — it’s the environment. In Ecuador, ceremonies take place in the maloca, a sacred ceremonial hut in the middle of the jungle. You lie on a mattress with a blanket, a pillow, and a bucket for purging. The shaman enters the space with songs and prayers, blessing the medicine before serving it to each participant.

Within an hour, the medicine begins to work. Some people see visions, others feel waves of emotion, and many experience deep physical release. It’s not always easy, but it’s always exactly what you need.

For me, the ceremonies were like a mirror — showing me not only my wounds but also my strength. Ayahuasca didn’t give me what I wanted; she gave me what I needed.

Meeting Shaman Louis

During my retreats in Ecuador, I had the privilege of working with Shaman Louis, a man who has been guiding ceremonies for more than 50 years. He grew up in the jungle, completely connected to nature, and began drinking Ayahuasca at the age of seven.

At 77 years old, he carries the vitality of someone half his age. His energy is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and his wisdom is one of the reasons our retreats are so powerful. Louis is more than a guide — he is a bridge between the physical and the spiritual worlds.

Knowing that you are in the hands of an experienced, authentic shaman makes all the difference. In a world where many “fake shamans” appear, choosing a safe and traditional retreat is essential.

Why Integration Matters

The ceremony itself is only the beginning. The days after are often where the real healing unfolds. At our ayahuasca retreat center, integration is a vital part of the process. We include activities like jungle walks, river swims, and visits to the local Kichwa community — all designed to help you ground your experience and reconnect with life in a balanced way.

This is what makes an Ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador so unique. It’s not tourism — it’s transformation. It’s about creating space to heal, reconnect, and step into your truth.

From Darkness to Light

Looking back, I see how far I’ve come. I left behind addiction, toxic relationships, and the masks I used to wear. Today, I live in Ecuador with my partner and our baby, running a retreat center that has become a sanctuary for people from around the world.

Our 11-day program includes multiple ceremonies, traditional plant rituals, and grounding experiences in the Amazon jungle. I created it because I know what it feels like to hit rock bottom — and I also know what it feels like to rise again.

If you feel called to this medicine, trust that call. It may not be easy, but it could be the most powerful decision of your life. Begin your journey here: Discover our Ayahuasca retreats..