We arrived as strangers and left as friends. This was a sentiment that echoed around the circle as the inaugural Heart & Lava retreat came to a conclusion. Throughout the three-day adventure, we’d walked and talked, connected and climbed (most of us for the first time), cheered, shared and surrendered completely to the experience, which was everything we didn’t know we needed. Congregating at the foothills of the majestic Mount Barney, the first Heart & Lava retreat brought together a motley crew – each with different backgrounds, interests and experiences – all drawn to the idea of disconnecting from technology and the pressures of day-to-day life, and reconnecting with mind, body and Country. While that in itself is reason enough to book your very own retreat, one of the more unexpected and perhaps most impactful outcomes of the retreat occurred in the in-between moments – sitting around the campfire, waiting for the coffee to brew, sharing that post-climb stoke with new mates. There’s an intangible kind of magic that occurs when a group of strangers come together and hold space for each other – it’s transcendent and beautiful. In that respect, Heart & Lava is so much more than just a weekend away.
Heart & Lava was imagined as a way for its creators – Sarah Callaham (The Body Method), Bec Barnett and Tristan Schultz (Relative Creative) – to adventure more and bring people along for the ride. “If Covid taught us one thing, it’s the value of travel and experiences over material possessions. Heart & Lava is designed to facilitate these kinds of meaningful moments and connections that linger in your memory long after the weekend draws to a close.” says Bec. The beauty of Heart & Lava is that it caters to adventurers of all levels with its tightly curated range of experiences that expertly guide and support participants every step of the way. Among the initial dates for 2023 is a women-focussed multi-day experience, a single-day no-frills trail run and corporate weekends. The multi-day retreats offer a dynamic blend of heart-pumping adventure activities – including rock climbing, abseiling, stand-up paddle boarding, trail running and hiking – interspersed with moments of tranquillity and slower-paced pursuits, such as yoga, Pilates, illustration sessions, book clubs and engaging fire chats. Meticulously curated, every detail is taken care of, from the gear required to the food and even bedding in bell tents.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and venture into the unknown, take a peek at Heart & Lava here.
Image Credit, Marc Llewellyn, emvielle
