365 Days Sober: What Sobriety Taught Me About Transformational Travel and Designing Retreats That Change You

LOVING LIFE THROUGH TRANSFORMATIONAL TRAVEL

A glass of wine here, a drink at dinner, a beer after a surf, all felt like harmless, mindless reflexes. What I didn’t know, or rather wasn’t aware of, was the effect that consistent alcohol consumption had on my health and my relationships with others. But perhaps the most costly damage was its harm to my relationship with myself and my life. One year ago, I made a decision that quietly transformed everything: my mind, my heart, my relationships, and the way I move through the world. What started as a personal experiment became the most powerful act of self-love I have ever committed to. I completely walked away from alcohol and any substance resembling it.

Today, after 365 days of full sobriety, I finally feel ready to share my story openly. Not because I owe anyone an explanation, but because I want to let you in on the why behind this decision, and because those who love me deserve to hear the why. And because many times, people ask about my choices, my path, and my personal evolution.

This isn’t a story about giving something up.

This is a story about choosing myself—fully, consciously, and lovingly becoming the best version of myself.

Why Did I Stop Drinking So Drastically?

Spiritual & Emotional Growth

I stopped drinking for many reasons, yet the most important one was love—love for myself and for the people closest to me. By giving myself the care I truly deserved, it opened up space in my heart and mind to care for those around me with authenticity, courage, and deep devotion. I let it all go completely:

Because I chose to care for myself above all else.
Because I wanted healthier relationships and communication with my husband, my parents, and my kids.
Because I wanted to break a family pattern so my kids never feel the need to use alcohol to have fun, numb emotions, or follow what’s considered “normal.”
Because, maybe, they won’t need it at all.
Because I want them to grow up knowing alcohol never has to define their lives.
To live life with intention, and face things I was perhaps attempting silence with the crutch that alcohol had become in my life.

Physical Health

Furthermore, choosing sobriety allowed me to reconnect with my body in a way I didn’t expect. I was no longer running away from discomfort, but able to push myself in ways that made me feel capable and strong.

To wake up feeling clear, happy, energized, and hangover-free.
To sleep better—I’ve been sleeping nine hours every night.
To look and feel beautiful, less wrinkled, and proud of my body at 47.
To enter menopause with grace instead of fear.
To enjoy incredible meals without needing a drink beside them.
To break habits that no longer served me.
To become more aware of my surroundings, and listen to my body without outside noise.

Mental Well-being

Mentally, sobriety opened a door I didn’t know was locked, and reconnected me with parts of myself and passions that I almost forgot were there. Sobriety has given me the ability:

To have mental clarity.
To make better decisions.
To fully experience life—raw, real, joyful, challenging—without “special additives” for stress or emotions.
To prove to myself how strong and determined I truly am.
To learn how to attend a party and genuinely enjoy it without drinking.
To face childhood wounds without hiding behind alcohol.
To reflect on who I surround myself with, and ensure they are pushing me to be better.

How Sobriety Brought Del Mar Adventures Back to Life

What surprised me most was how sobriety didn’t just transform my inner world—it revived my purpose entirely. Once my mind and heart cleared, my vision did too. Suddenly, I began to see Del Mar Adventures with new eyes, new intentions, and a deeper mission.

By holding space for myself, allowing myself grace, and confronting emotions I had buried and memories I thought I lacked the courage to face, sobriety became a compass guiding me back to what I’ve always loved: holding space for other people through Costa Rican wellness retreats.

This is why Del Mar Adventures is designed the way it is. Today, my work is no longer just about creating retreats or experiences. Instead, it’s about offering places where people can:

feel supported
feel safe
feel seen
reconnect with themselves
breathe again

My personal journey—every challenge, every insight- has prepared me to guide others with more compassion, presence, and authenticity than ever before. By facing these struggles firsthand, I am here to aid you in the difficult but rewarding process that is reconnecting with yourself. By strengthening your relationship with yourself and facing old wounds, you open up space for more love and joy to enter your life than ever before. Our retreats are alcohol-free, with an emphasis on true health and a lack of distractions.

I am profoundly happy with this new stage of my life. I feel strong, free, and proud of a decision that, for many people, may seem almost impossible. I didn’t make this choice from a place of suffering, but from awareness and love. And that fills me with light. Through our wellness retreats and transformational travel, I hope I can empower you to find a life that brings you joy, satisfaction, and most importantly, one in which you can take pride in your decisions, your relationships, and how you present yourself.

Thank you for walking with me.

Thank you for understanding me.

And thank you for helping this new version of myself feel embraced and celebrated.

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