Julieann Elliott Found Transformation on the Riviera Maya
I traveled to the Riviera Maya with my daughter for a Dr. Joe Dispenza event, and I had no idea how much it would shift everything for me. We stayed at Barcelo Maya Resort, where the beaches were spectacular and the food was amazing. But this trip wasn't just about relaxation. It was about going within, finding stillness, and discovering what happens when 2,100 people meditate together for seven straight days.
Walking into a room filled with that many people, all there for the same purpose, I felt something I didn't expect. Normally, I need space to meditate. Quiet. Solitude. But something remarkable happened in that collective energy. Instead of feeling crowded or distracted, I found myself going deeper than I ever had before. The group amplified something I couldn't access alone. We were all feeding off each other's energy, lifting each other as we sat together in silence.
Where Inner Work Meets Resort Luxury
The beauty of this experience was how it wove together profound inner work with all the joy of a great resort vacation. Between meditations, we explored the different restaurants, swam in the pools and swim up bars, and experienced the spas. Getting to know the people around us turned strangers into kindred spirits. My daughter and I shared something we'll carry forever.
The last two days stand out most vividly in my memory. We spent time connecting with people who were there facing health challenges, people who needed healing. Together in meditation, we focused our intention on them. It was deep and profoundly moving to be part of something so much larger than myself. Seven days of shedding what I carry, releasing all the stress and everything I'd been holding onto. That kind of release is hard to put into words.
A New Lens for Travel
This experience fundamentally changed who I am as a travel advisor. Now when I work with clients, I look for deeper experiences. I seek out destinations and retreats that offer breathwork, sound baths, meditations, and opportunities for genuine transformation. I'm not just booking trips anymore. I'm curating experiences that help people connect with themselves while truly experiencing another place.
This kind of travel isn't for everyone, and I've learned to recognize who it serves best. It's perfect for someone who is awakened, in tune with themselves, someone focused on improvement and personal leadership. It's ideal for anyone at a turning point, ready to make a change and do the inner work in a beautiful setting. Travel becomes part of their growth path rather than just an escape from it.
Who This Journey Serves
I'll be honest about who wouldn't love this kind of trip: someone who isn't open to looking within, who doesn't welcome change, who just wants to sit on a beach without exploring anything deeper. That's not a criticism. It's simply a different kind of travel. My magic shows up for the traveler who wants more. The one who wants to come home genuinely changed in some way.
Having stood in that room with 2,100 people, having felt what happens when collective intention meets individual transformation, I can now guide clients toward experiences I understand from the inside out. Whether it's a Dr. Joe Dispenza event or a wellness retreat that offers similar depth, I know what it takes to create space for real change. And there's nothing quite like helping someone find that for themselves.