Dana (fake name and not the person in this photo) actually asked for a refund.
When Dana first said ‘yes’ to the Ayahuasca retreat, something deep inside her felt the pull. But as the date got closer, fear completely took over.
She found herself questioning everything—was it safe? Was it worth it? Could she handle whatever would come up? At one point, she was so overwhelmed that she asked to cancel the trip and for a refund.
“My body was in so much fear,” she admitted. “I just didn’t want to go anymore.”
I got on a call with her and helped her calm her fear.
Something inside her summoned her to meet what was coming and the sexual abuse she suffered.
On the call with me, she was able to ground again.
I showed her how this was part of her healing journey. And that it was normal to feel that much fear of the unknown. Our mind fills the gap when we don’t know what to expect and what is coming.
STEPPING INTO THE UNKNOWN
Dana had always been intrigued by Ayahuasca but never felt truly ready. The idea of it was both fascinating and terrifying.
“I knew it was going to be big, transformative, but also very scary,” she said.
She deliberately avoided reading horror stories about bad trips on the internet but still couldn’t shake the anxiety.
This Aya retreat, however, offered something unique…
—a safe space, deep support, and expert guidance before, during, and after the ceremonies with me. And Dana already knew me from being a coaching client.
It was this reassurance that finally convinced her to take the leap.
I was her anchor!
THE AYAHUASCA EXPERIENCE: DARKNESS & LIGHT
The ceremonies were intense. There were moments of overwhelming fear and pain. But there were also moments of profound healing and clarity.
“I came back stronger,” Dana shared. “More in my body, more present. I’m not so scared anymore of my power or the darkness inside of me.”
It wasn’t easy. The second ceremony was so intense that she didn’t want to participate in the third. But then, I reminded her why she was there and that if she shrank now and projected the past into the future she would lose her power.
I encouraged her to walk with her fear forward and let that smoke screen fade away to discover her real power. And I promised her I’d keep being her anchor through it so she has something to hold on to.
“In real life, when I feel fear, I shrink. And I didn’t want to do that anymore. So I did the third ceremony. And it was beautiful.”
THE SHIFT: FROM FEAR TO ACTION
The retreat wasn’t just about what happened in the ceremonies—it was about what happened afterward.
The insights Dana received didn’t just stay in the jungle; she carried them into her daily life.
“I took action on everything I realized there. My life completely changed.”
One of the biggest shifts was how she showed up in her relationship. Before the retreat, fear and her sexual trauma had created distance and impacted intimacy. But afterward, intimacy became something new, something safe.
“It was like having sex for the first time again,” she said.
She also found herself standing firmly in her truth, setting boundaries, and finally speaking up about what happened to her to everyone close to her, including the abuser.
A NEW PATH FORWARD
Before Ayahuasca, Dana felt small, insecure, and stuck in a pattern of self-doubt. Now, she still has moments of insecurity, but she doesn’t let them hold her back.
“I keep showing up. I’m not hiding back anymore. That’s the biggest change.”
Her story is one of courage, transformation, and stepping into the unknown despite her paralyzing fear.
If you feel the pull toward Ayahuasca but fear is holding you back,
Dana’s journey is proof that on the other side of fear, there is freedom.
You can check out Dana's full story under the CASE STUDIES.
I’m taking 10 people with me on the upcoming exclusive, transformative Ayahuasca Somatic Healing retreat to the healing center in Peru.
If you’re feeling curious, please send me a message, or book a Complimentary exploratory call with me, and let’s explore this powerful journey together. 💗
This could change your life!
With love,
Chen