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Forbes
a day ago
- Health
- Forbes
Breaking The Mold: How Health Retreats Are Redefining Wellness Travel
getty Health retreats are continually gain in popularity in the travel space, but the way they are run has been restructured over the years. Once focused on weight loss, they now incorporate mental, physical and emotional health as well. One such example is Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat a week-long immersive health retreat in British Columbia, Canada, that's been around for over 30 years. While many may initially sign up hoping to drop a few pounds or gain fitness, they quickly discover that the experience goes far deeper—transforming not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well. 'We call ourselves a health reset retreat,' says Katya Campbell, the new General Manager and Fitness Director at Mountain Trek. 'We're not just focused on lifespan, but on healthspan—that period of life when you're healthy, vibrant, and living with intention. It's about inspiring people to make small, sustainable changes that can drastically improve their quality of life.' Campbell is a reflection of the retreat's evolving philosophy. At 49, she represents much of the core demographic—70% of Mountain Trek guests are women, with an average age of 54. 'There was a conscious decision to find someone who would resonate with our clients,' Katya notes. 'Many of them are in perimenopause or menopause, and they're craving connection, balance, and most of all—permission to care for themselves.' That sense of permission is something Kirkland Shave, Program creator and co-owner, has seen shift dramatically in recent years. 'At the core of it, two things are the hardest for everyone: knowing what's authentic to them, and believing they deserve to take care of themselves,' he explains. 'Especially women—they're used to giving to their children, partners, parents. But here, they start to realize how powerful it is to give back to themselves.' getty Mountain Trek's reputation has evolved significantly. 'We were once known locally as the 'fat farm,'' Campbell admits. 'It was a hardcore bootcamp—restrictive diets and punishing workouts. But people would go home and gain the weight back. We realized that wasn't real change.' Today, the program is radically holistic, rooted in five pillars: movement, nutrition, sleep, detoxification, and emotional well-being. 'We understand now that weight is a symptom, not a target,' says Shave. 'If cortisol is high from chronic stress, the body holds onto fat as a survival mechanism. So unless you address sleep, hormones, trauma—you're just applying a Band-Aid.' At the week-long retreat guests hike through stunning wilderness, eat nourishing food, learn about circadian rhythms, and engage in deep emotional work. There are lectures on menopause, classes on habit formation, and a lot of talk about what constitutes healthy eating.'This is not spa life with cucumber water and poolside naps,' Campbell laughs. 'This is a deep dive.' getty That deep dive seems to be resonating. Roughly 30–40% of guests are repeat visitors, an unusually high rate for the wellness industry. 'We may be hard to get to,' Campbell acknowledges, 'but that's part of the magic. You unplug. You slow down. You're wrapped in nature, surrounded by people who live the lifestyle we're teaching. There's an authenticity to it.' Many guests return not just because they enjoyed it—but because the program helped them through pivotal life moments: a divorce, job burnout, a major surgery, or the grief of losing a parent. 'There's usually a catalyst,' Shave explains. 'A life event that pushes someone to finally say, 'I have to make a change.' Once they're here, they remember how good it feels to be in their bodies again—and they want to keep that feeling alive.' Campbell agrees. 'A lot of our guests are dealing with overwhelm. They're at that tipping point. We help them feel seen. Less alone. And we give them tools to shift—not just for a week, but for the long run.' getty Unlike many larger wellness destinations, Mountain Trek caps its groups at just 16 people. This intimacy is intentional. 'It allows for deep connection,' Campbell says. 'People open up. They cry. They support each other. And in that, they start to heal.' Shave calls it 're-falling in love with yourself.' After a week of eating clean, hiking in untouched wilderness, and experiencing the aliveness that comes from connection and self-care, guests leave '10 years younger,' he says. 'Their eyes shine. Their skin glows. Their step is friskier. It's not magic—it's metabolic science combined with emotional support.' getty Mountain Trek may have started as a fitness-focused program, but today it embodies something far more progressive: a retreat that understands the intricacies of modern midlife, especially for women. It acknowledges burnout, stress, hormone shifts, and the emotional toll of constantly giving to others. 'In many ways, menopause is a clarifying force,' Campbell reflects. 'Our tolerance goes down—but that's a good thing. It forces us to reevaluate what we truly want. And when women finally prioritize themselves, not only do they thrive—they become even more powerful caregivers, leaders, and community builders.' With its focus on small, lasting changes and a genuine commitment to transformation, Mountain Trek doesn't just focus on a week-long break from life—but rather a reset for a better one.
Business Insider
03-06-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
I spent almost $7,000 on a 1-week retreat in the woods. It was worth every penny.
A $6,900 wellness retreat for a week in the mountains of British Columbia sounded indulgent, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something had to give. I was burned out, foggy-headed, overweight, and feeling a little unmoored. I'd recently had surgery, and while my doctor had given me the green light to return to all activities, including exercise, I was completely unmotivated to work out. My sleep was also off, and my eating habits needed an overhaul. I generally eat healthily, but I'd slumped into a bad habit of overeating. Adding to that, I'm a mom to two high-energy teen boys and had reached a point where I felt maxed out in the parenting department. I didn't hide it, though. I was honest with my family and told them I needed a reset, that I wasn't feeling my best physically or mentally, and that this retreat was something I was doing for my health. They were supportive. It's been over two months since the retreat, and I'm completely transformed. I don't have immediate plans to return, but the benefits were so amazing that I would consider going back. It was worth every penny. Why this retreat was worth it for me While the $6,900 price tag for Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat is considerable, it covered everything: guided hikes, yoga, spa treatments, educational talks, and meals. I learned about the retreat from a friend. It's caffeine- and alcohol-free, with limited sugar/carbs, and focuses on lots of activity, including hiking several hours each day. I looked at other places, but what really sold me on Mountain Trek was the combination of physical activity, healthy eating, and expert-led classes on topics like sleep. As a middle-aged mom, this sounded like exactly what I needed. The retreat taught me how to improve my mental health back home I have to say, there was something nice about not having to take care of my family and instead having someone take care of me. I didn't have to plan meals or schedules each day, so the decision fatigue I was feeling at home was gone, and my mind could be more present. Of course, when I returned home, decision-making turned back on, but I found a way to better manage it. I now meal-plan on Sundays, which has significantly improved my mental health, and my mind is calmer during the week. I also learned the phrase micro-dosing happiness. It's about creating happy moments throughout the day. I never thought of happiness as a practice, but the more I sought out and focused on those small microdosing moments, the better it made me feel. The biggest surprise of the whole retreat The hiking is what attracted me to the program, initially, and turned out to be the biggest surprise of the whole retreat. Hiking is my happy place: I've hiked the Inca Trail in Peru and trekked through Patagonia in Chile. So, when we were told they divided hiking groups into four categories (1-4, fastest to slowest), I figured I'd fall into group 2, given my recent surgery and weight gain. It was a huge wake-up call (and a hit to my ego) to find out I had to fall behind to group 4, the slowest. Turns out, group 4 was fabulous. Because we hiked slower, I was able to take in the beautiful flowers, frogs, deer, and other wildlife while the women and I bonded over our various life struggles. I grew to accept — and appreciate — the slower pace. And the connections I made with those women, as well as the rest of the people at the retreat (there were 13 of us, three men and ten women; Mountain Trek limits it to 16 total), were one of the best parts of that week. My week in the mountains was the perfect reset I needed Back home, I'm still seeing the benefits. I've rediscovered my motivation to move and am committed to the gym five days a week, walking with a friend three to four times a week, and sitting less overall. I break up my day with movement breaks, even if it's just going up and down the stairs for five minutes. I also finally curbed my overeating habit. The retreat offered six small meals a day without second servings. I was hungry the first couple of days, but my body adapted after that, and I've kept my portion sizes smaller at home, too. The new routine makes me feel more energized and less stressed. It's largely thanks to the retreat and admitting to myself that I needed a break, and being brave enough to take it. I met several people on the retreat who were regulars, and I could see myself going back. I missed my husband and kids, but to spend a full week really working on myself — emotionally, physically, mentally — was a gift.
