ShareOne ReviewsWhat do real people say about wellness retreat?
15 people recorded interviews about wellness retreat across 2 organisations. 7 of them mentioned improved mood, anxiety or stress in their own words. The most common timeframe people described was over a year. Every figure below is a count of what people said in their recorded interview — not a clinical trial or a survey.
First-hand accounts from people who talked about wellness retreat in their recorded interview.
What people said changed
Counts of interviews where the person described this in their own words.
- Mood & stress7 of 15 mentioned it
“And I felt a calm and a sense of more of a direction, I think.”Laura Bierwagen
- Mental clarity3 of 15 mentioned it
“Like, just helped me focus on me a little bit and on my choices and where, you know, what I wanna do and where I wanna go.”Laura Bierwagen
- More energy2 of 15 mentioned it
“I just didn't feel as good as I felt I should, and I really couldn't put my finger on it, and having exhausted doctors testing and stuff, I just felt like there was more.”Cinde Woodcock
- Confidence1 of 15 mentioned it
“I'm excited about coming back at one more and having just come through the program I feel a sense of calm, confidence, optimism, curiosity and possibility.”Hope Maltz
- Mobility1 of 15 mentioned it
“Moving forward, I'm most excited about navigating life in this more aware way so that I can catch myself when I fall into old habits but really grounding and allowing these new neutral pathways to expand and grow and…”Marie Elizabeth Molle
- Family & relationships1 of 15 mentioned it
“I feel like with some of this stuff kind of cleared from me or lifted from me, I'm going to be a better father and husband and friend.”Colin Dentan
- Felt supported1 of 15 mentioned it
“I'm very hopeful that they will see some shifts in me that make me more available and kind of a safer, emotional place for them to go to.”Colin Dentan
- Less pain1 of 15 mentioned it
“And my pain has decreased, but also it's very dependent.”Becca Johnson
How long it took
- Over a year · 8
Stories in this topic
Showing 12 of 15 interviews.
WatchPediatrician Overcomes Chronic Pain and Autoimmune Arthritis Through Qigong and MindfulnessLaura Bierwagen credits Urban Monk Productions with helping her overcome ten years of chronic pain and autoimmune arthritis. After attending the retreat and committing to a 100-day Qigong 'gong,' she transitioned from using crutches to performing physical rou…Laura Bierwagen · Urban Monk Productions- 40 Years of ZenWatchOvercoming Social Anxiety and Building Lasting Confidence in Just Five DaysPetra Fuerst reports that 40 Years of Zen provided the most effective and fastest way to create lasting change for her social anxiety. After a five-day program, she transitioned from experiencing social anxieties to having absolute confidence, a result that h…Petra Fuerst · 40 Years of Zen
WatchImproved Sleep and Emotional Ease Through Gut Protocol and QiGong PracticeJennifer Gill achieved significant lifestyle improvements through Urban Monk Productions. After participating in the Gut Protocol and a live retreat, she reported better sleep, improved relationships, and a new ability to navigate daily obstacles with ease. S…Jennifer Gill · Urban Monk Productions- 40 Years of ZenWatchBen Calvert Achieved a Positive Outlook and Mental Reset at 40 Years of ZenBen Calvert reported a significant mental transformation after attending 40 Years of Zen. He achieved a more positive and hopeful outlook on life, specifically noting an increased ability to be present and spontaneous while worrying less. Calvert recommends t…Ben · 40 Years of Zen
Watch71-Year-Old Reclaims Health and Vitality Through Qigong and Gut Health ProgramsCinde Woodcock achieved a significant health turnaround with Urban Monk Productions after feeling she was losing her health at age 70. By completing the GUT program and attending a qigong retreat, she gained a sense of empowerment and peace, successfully init…Cinde Woodcock · Urban Monk Productions- 40 Years of ZenWatchFrom Exhausted and Underwater to a Deep Sense of Inner PeaceDelia Tarlea describes her experience with 40 Years of Zen as a life-changing retreat that shifted her from feeling "underwater" and exhausted to possessing a "river of calm." She reports achieving a deeper level of focus and a permanent integration of medita…Delia Tarlea · 40 Years of Zen
WatchReduced Chronic Stomach Burning and Shoulder Pain Through Microbiome Testing and QigongKathy Hough reviewed Urban Monk Productions after experiencing significant relief from chronic stomach burning and shoulder pain. By utilizing microbiome testing to identify food sensitivities and attending a Qigong retreat with Dr. Pedram Shojai, Kathy repor…Kathy Hough · Urban Monk Productions- 40 Years of ZenWatchOvercoming Anxiety and Pessimism Through Neurofeedback to Achieve Calm and ConfidenceHope Maltz describes her experience at 40 Years of Zen as a profound shift from a state of worry and anxiety to one of calm and optimism. After one week of neurofeedback and professional support, she reported a foundational change in how she feels in her body…Hope Maltz · 40 Years of Zen
- 40 Years of ZenWatchJessica Stevens Found Life Clarity and a Love-Centered Outlook After TrainingJessica Stevens experienced a profound transformation at 40 Years of Zen, moving from uncertainty about her future to having a clear, defined path. She reports a shift in her emotional response, now prioritizing breathing and responding with love, while gaini…Jessica Stevens · 40 Years of Zen
- 40 Years of ZenWatchOvercoming Past Roadblocks to Gain Peace, Energy, and Future MotivationKhanie Ha achieved a total life transformation at 40 Years of Zen, moving from a state of being 'miserable' and stuck in the past to feeling lighter and more energetic. She reported significant breakthroughs in her health and relationships, gaining the intern…Khanie Ha · 40 Years of Zen
- 40 Years of ZenWatchMassive Internal Shift and Mental Freedom Achieved in Only Five DaysMarie Elizabeth Molle describes 40 Years of Zen as a comprehensive brain training program that delivers a massive internal shift in just five days. By combining direct brain training, pod sessions, and debriefing, she transitioned from being 'stuck in her hea…Marie Elizabeth Molle · 40 Years of Zen
- 40 Years of ZenWatchEliminating Stress and Negative Reactions Through a Week-Long Mindset ShiftAles Graf achieved a total mindset shift at 40 Years of Zen, reporting that his stress is completely gone after the one-week program. Previously unable to meditate or relax, Graf experienced a change in his inner setup that allows him to respond calmly to the…Ales Graf · 40 Years of Zen
What people were sceptical about first
- “Kathy Hough found the microbiome testing to be offered at a very reasonable price. After receiving her results, she identified three specific foods she was sensitive to, and removing them from her diet led her to feel better immediately.”Kathy Hough
- “Hope Maltz acknowledged that the cost was a consideration, but she chose to view it as a manifestation of her commitment to herself and an investment in her future and everything she loves.”Hope Maltz
- “I had looked through the website and I kind of see myself as very practical, down to earth kind of guy. And I thought, boy, is this kind of some voodoo stuff going clear out my chakras and some stuff that I wasn't real familiar with. And then I also was a lit…”Colin Dentan
Frequently asked
- Is the Urban Monk retreat worth the financial investment?
- Laura Bierwagen initially needed to justify the cost, which she did by focusing on the opportunity to discuss the 'Upstream' microbiome program directly with Pedram Shojai. Ultimately, she concluded the experience is a 'gift to yourself' that provides value in ways you cannot anticipate. — Laura Bierwagen
- How did you feel before engaging with the program?
- I did feel an emotional shift. I had been struggling personally with where am I gonna go? I was on crutches for 10 years, and I had horrible autoimmune arthritis and chronic pain and just it was ... It hurt to move at all. — Laura Bierwagen
- What was your motivation for joining the Urban Monk Academy and attending the retreat?
- I wanted to be in the room with Pedram. I have been a member of the Urban Monk Academy for a long time. I know that he is science-based. If he says something, he's got evidence and he knows it. I also wanted to talk to him about Upstream, a program talking about the microbiome. — Laura Bierwagen
- Can 40 Years of Zen help with long-term depression?
- Petra Fuerst recommended the program to a friend with severe depression of over 15 years. She believes the experience can help change old brain pathways and mental blocks that prevent people from getting better or being happy. — Petra Fuerst
- How long do the results from 40 Years of Zen last?
- According to Petra Fuerst, the changes are durable. She notes that she gained absolute confidence during her five-day session and has maintained that state for two and a half years. — Petra Fuerst
- Is 40 Years of Zen effective for social anxiety?
- Yes, Petra Fuerst describes it as a fascinating experience where she arrived with social anxieties and left five days later with total confidence, recommending it as the fastest way to create lasting change. — Petra Fuerst