One of the most amazing things about Escape Haven is the incredible women that join us here. Over the 14 years of running women’s retreats, and the 10,000 women who have graced our retreat in person, I have been so fortunate to have met women who have the most touching stories to tell- stories of transformation, loss, success, survival, love, heartache and growth.
My beautiful friend Cat I knew long before her first Escape Haven retreat in 2021. She owns a very well known and loved business called The Face Place in New Zealand. She has an accolade of awards and has been widely featured in print and television.
Yet beyond all of that, Cat is also one of the most loving, vivacious, strong, brave and inspiring women I know.
A couple of years ago, Cat was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the journey that followed, Cat beat breast cancer not once, but twice. She also underwent a mastectomy and spent a lot of time recovering from surgery and on very tough medications to heal.
When Cat contacted us this year about coming back to Escape Haven (for the 5th time), we both knew it would be a powerful and emotional journey. Which it was. she decided to join us on the new Bali Healing retreat package.
One of the things that Cat shared with me that really hit me was that with all she had been through the last few years, while she has approached her journey with optimism and resilience, she also felt that her femininity had been taken away and she wondered if she would ever look or feel good again.
I still get tears in my eyes when I look at this photo above of Cat on her retreat, standing tall and proud and confident in her bikini on top of a waterfall.
Its not only symbolic of how incredible, inspiring, brave and courageous Cat is, (not to mention an absolute goddess!) It’s also symbolic of how powerful the retreat journey is. How even in the space of a week being cared for, being surrounded by other women, nurturing yourself on a deep level, has the ability to reconnect you to all the parts of yourself that you love and all the infinite possibilities of what is yet to come.
It’s also a powerful reminder that her worst fears weren’t a reality. Standing proud in her new body, post the mastectomy and skin grafts, she is even more feminine, powerful and beautiful than she was before. It reminds me of the Japanese art concept of Kintsugi which is where you put broken pottery pieces back together with gold — built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art.
If you follow us on social media, you may have seen Cat’s retreat journey as we shared so many of her gorgeous photos throughout the week. Each time I saw these photos I felt so proud of my beautiful friend, I could see her glow was back ten fold and not only that, she had never looked better!!
At the end of the week, just before Cat’s birthday, I sat down with her on retreat to chat about her journey. I’ve shared it in a video below, but I also share some of the most powerful messages from Cat below too.
I feel like this story is powerful and inspiring on so many levels. It’s a reminder to back ourselves and trust in ourselves no matter what life throws at us. But it’s also a reminder to pause, to reflect, to take time to integrate our experiences and process our emotions. Taking this time allows us to not only reconnect to ourselves, but to gain clarity and confidence, to challenge ourselves, to celebrate life and to give yourself permission to thrive.
Scroll down for some words from Cat and her powerful video below.
Watch the video below with Cat and scroll down for her own reflection of her Escape Haven healing journey.
Are you ready to heal and rediscover the most vibrant, confident version of you through a healing retreat?
If you’d like a blissful, nurturing and transformational week to really unwind, restore and tap back into your inner joy, femininity and self love, join us on a Bali healing retreat. The new Bali Healing package includes our most powerful healing sessions and ceremonies including Tarot, Ayurveda, Bali Healing Ceremony, Cacao Circle, Letting Go Ritual, Sound Healing, a Purification Ceremony, as well as unlimited spa treatments. It is the ideal way to say farewell to anything no longer serving you, find closure and step into your next chapter feeling strong, clear, radiant and restored.
Cat’s Story about her Healing Retreat
“This is my 5th Escape Haven retreat and whenever any of my girl friends is looking for a retreat or is going to Bali, it’s the top of my recommendation list! Janine and her team curate the best of Bali in a beautiful, empowering, inspiring and safe space.
After 2 years of journeying with breast cancer (x2) and fatigue, alongside navigating my business through the pandemic, I knew I needed space to heal and recover – at both a physical and soul level.
I had been seeing pictures of the new sanctuary on IG, and was excited to experience the incredible Escape Haven hospitality and care in this beautiful new space. I decided to book for the healing package the week before my birthday.
From the moment of being picked up, to walking through the door of my room and seeing ‘welcome home Cat’ spelled out in flowers on my bed, through the incredible spa treatments and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, every person on the team has greeted and welcomed me with the most wonderful love and care – always a massive smile like welcoming a dearly loved friend, and a greeting. The small, but constant, thoughtful touches, such as inspirational messages on your pillow at night, or messages in flowers on my bed, and an early birthday celebration, have had me feeling so nurtured and cared for.
Even though I’ve been 5 times, every retreat is different and I’ve had different experiences. It never gets boring! This time I went ‘chasing waterfalls’ and got the most incredible photos by Putu, their resident photographer (who doubled as our driver) . It was such a confidence boost after my body being ravaged by surgery. The photos tell the story.
The healing sessions have been next level, and although I’m a doctor and well versed in both allopathic and integrative modalities I have learned a lot and already transformed some of my habits. The daily yoga and meditation have everyone so calm and glowing – and as per previous EH retreats, I’ve made such wonderful connections with the other amazing ladies sharing the retreat. Many have come to take time away from busy lives and responsibilities, to deal with grief, because of a major life transition or just to take time for themselves to expand and grow and have an amazing time ticking things off their bucket-list.
Whatever your motivation for coming, just do it! I promise you won’t be disappointed… it’s like a big warm hug where you feel safe to be yourself and completely supported by some of the most beautiful, caring and loving people I’ve met, and you’ll meet a gang of soul sisters who lift you up and help you soar.
Thank you to all the Escape Haven team, It’s a magical experience, my soul and body are feeling nurtured and restored, and I already can’t wait to go back!! 💗”
