By nature, I am risk averse. Extreme sports, suspenseful films, and heart-racing thrill rides are not my idea of fun. However, I have come to realize that stepping out of my comfort zone is essential for growth and transformation. Embracing challenges, even when they seem daunting, allows us to discover strengths we never knew we had. Life's uncertainties can be intimidating, but they also offer opportunities to learn, adapt, and thrive.
It was with this spirit that just last month, I embarked on an extraordinary adventure that had me—a non-swimmer—jumping into the Caribbean Sea. So, how did I end up there? The journey itself was an adventure.
In June 2024, I received an unexpected invitation to “GnA Fusion.” This wellness, fitness, and fundraising event was the brainchild of Gizelle Bryant and Ashley Darby, co-stars of the reality show Real Housewives of Potomac. They were celebrating the launch of their fitness apparel line, GnA.
The wellness component featured demonstrations and samples from vendors promoting well-being, while the star of the fitness segment was the “Alchemy Signature Workout.” This workout began with an exhilarating High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) routine led by fitness industry leader Timbo Williams and concluded with a breathwork and recentering yoga practice led by Sara Hoenes, an experienced and compassionate yoga instructor. Together, they crafted a signature workout that blends HIIT, breathwork, and yoga, guiding participants on a physical, mental, and spiritual journey.
What drew me to the GnA event was not the reality stars or fitness celebrities but rather its fundraising aspect. Proceeds from GnA Fusion were being directed to the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS), an organization I had passionately supported for over a decade and on whose Board of Directors I serve. As a survivor of an aggressive malignant brain tumor known as glioblastoma (GBM), I eagerly seize opportunities to raise awareness and funds for NBTS's mission to “conquer and cure brain tumors once and for all.”
I attended the GnA Fusion event with the intention of supporting NBTS, and doing a bit of yoga and minimal HIIT, and I stayed true to my self-imposed limitations. I explored the various vendors, watched Timbo’s exhilarating workout, and even attempted a few yoga poses, mastering only one—Savasana, also known as the corpse pose. When invited to share my experience as a brain cancer survivor, I happily accepted. After the event, I connected with several individuals affected by GBM who found hope in my words, and their courage inspired me even more.
Amidst the post-event revelry, I saw an advertisement for Alchemy’s upcoming adventure retreats in Tulum, Mexico, Playa Maderas, Nicaragua, and Chamonix, France. A quick search of the Alchemy website took me to the details of the Tulum retreat, which was set to take place six months after GnA Fusion at a private eco-lodge surrounded by the breathtaking landscape of Mexico’s Riviera Maya. It emphasized that the retreat aimed to cultivate balance, strength, and inner peace through daily activities, including yoga, meditation, invigorating fitness sessions, nutritious meals, and holistic spa treatments.
Let’s just say, they had me at “spa,” but the idea of a Mexican adventure also piqued my interest, even though I doubted my ability to participate in the invigorating fitness sessions if they were anything like what I witnessed at GnA Fusion. But, ever mindful of Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do,” I eventually decided I would go anyway and convinced my cousin to join me.
On December 3, 2024, we embarked on a journey to the Mayan Jungle for five days of daily workouts and yoga practice with complete strangers. Our diverse group of 20 came from varied backgrounds, cultures, and fitness levels. Guided by Sara and Timbo, with a major assist from Sam, our photographer, ultra-marathoner, and van driver, who adeptly navigated the rugged terrain of Tulum’s jungle roads with patience and skill, we set out along the vibrant Riviera Maya, united in our quest for “self-discovery, connection and renewal, where each breath becomes a step towards balance, strength, and inner harmony,” as promised in the Alchemy ad.
This adventure was filled with countless highlights. Our daily meals, yoga practices, and fitness workouts offered unique opportunities to bond. Through shared discovery, laughter, and even pain (I’m told Timbo’s workouts were no joke!), we grew closer and developed a deeper appreciation for each other and the natural environment around us. We shared in the excitement of having bacon for breakfast one day, a break from our standard chef-prepared healthy menu. We found joy in naming the special lizards and butterflies that visited us daily. We sang and danced as if nobody was watching and celebrated finding the perfect taco.
Among the retreat's standout experiences for me was delving into the rich tapestry of Mayan culture. Adventurous souls plunged into the depths of cenotes, while others, including me, experienced the mystical waterways from above ground. We explored ancient Mayan ruins, notably the 13th-century walled Mayan archaeological site at Tulum National Park, majestically overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Participating in sacred Mayan rituals such as the fire ceremony and cacao ceremony was a profound and spiritual experience that left an indelible mark on all of us, enriching our spirits in unforgettable ways.
But about that jump… During an amazing afternoon of sailing on the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, our boat dropped anchor to allow anyone interested a chance to swim or snorkel. Almost everyone was in the water. Because I cannot swim, I had intended to remain on the boat relaxing in the sun. But I was offered a life vest that was guaranteed to keep me afloat so I could join the rest of the group.
The idea of jumping into the water, even with a life vest, still seemed daunting. The vastness of the water and its unknown depths were truly frightening. Then I remembered why I was on the trip in the first place – for adventure. I had already done more yoga on that trip than I had in my entire life and survived Timbo’s workout in the famed Tulum Jungle Gym. With the whisper of Eleanor Roosevelt in my ear, coupled with the encouragement from everyone in the group, who I trusted not to let me perish, I donned my life vest and took a terrifying leap of faith into the sea.
Did I enjoy it? Absolutely not. Am I glad I did it? Without a doubt, mainly because now I can say I did it and never have to do it again. But even more so because it was symbolic of the transformation I sought when I decided to take the trip. I now know I possess ability and strength deeper than I thought that allows me to do seemingly impossible stuff. That gives me hope that perhaps on my next trip, I will have mastered at least one more yoga pose and survived Timbo’s warm-up.
Alchemy adventures are curated to be rejuvenating and transformational. I can attest to my personal transformation having had this experience and to the transformation of our group of 20 travelers into the “Tulum Besties.”
To learn more, visit the links below:
https://nbtsevents.braintumor.org/event/2024-gna-fusion-event/e583778
https://www.gnaapparel.com/
https://www.thealchemydc.com/
https://braintumor.org/
Awesome and inspiring!!
This piece is so so beautiful! I’m so glad we could do this experience together and I’m so proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone 🫶🏾🫶🏾✨✨