Creative Renewal: Kendall's Transformative Retreat Experience in Costa Rica
Apr 29, 2025"It's been a long time since I have spent that much time really not focused on work." — Kendall Hagensen
In this heartfelt episode of the Wellness Center Creators Podcast, hosts Kendall Hagensen and Anna Rudel reconnect after Kendall's transformative two-week retreat at Blue Spirit Costa Rica. The conversation offers listeners a fascinating glimpse into how intentional breaks from business can foster both personal renewal and professional insight.
Kendall shares her experience at the "Relax and Write" retreat facilitated by Maya Danziger, an actress-turned-creative writing coach. With refreshing candor, she describes how the structured yet spacious format—combining specific meditation techniques with writing sessions and group sharing—created an ideal environment for creative exploration.
"I didn't come in with an agenda of what I was going to write," Kendall explains, revealing how she allowed her writing to unfold organically rather than forcing a predetermined outcome. This process-oriented mindset led to an unexpected breakthrough: the beginnings of a book to support people newly diagnosed with chronic illnesses, particularly MS, drawing from her own 20-year journey through the healthcare system.
The episode beautifully illustrates the vulnerability inherent in creative expression. Kendall candidly discusses her initial nervousness about sharing her writing with strangers, especially upon discovering that half the participants were professional writers and screenwriters. "All of those kind of core fears start to come out of, like, well, am I smart enough to be here? Am I a good enough writer to be here?" she admits, a sentiment many listeners will find relatable.
"One of the biggest insights when I got back was reassurance, things are running without me. They have been that way for a while. But the piece that's missing, the gap that happens when I'm not in continuous communication... it's like the optimization gap is there." — Kendall Hagensen
Beyond personal growth, the conversation offers valuable insights for wellness center leaders about the importance of occasional separation from their businesses. Kendall notes how her absence revealed both strengths and opportunities: "The biggest insight when I got back was reassurance—things are running without me. They have been that way for a while. But the piece that's missing, the gap that happens when I'm not in continuous communication...it's like the optimization gap is there."
This observation leads to a thoughtful discussion about creating systems that maintain excellence even without the owner's constant presence—a crucial evolution for any growing wellness practice. "That's the whole aim of the game, isn't it?" Anna reflects. "Get it to a place where you don't need to be there and that you can do what you need to do for your body and your mind now that you've worked so hard for so long."
The episode also offers fascinating glimpses into Blue Spirit itself, located in one of the world's "blue zones" in Nosara, Costa Rica. Kendall shares her observations about the retreat center's business model, including its integrated "Longevity Center" offering medical services alongside typical wellness offerings—providing inspiration for wellness practitioners considering expansion.
With characteristic warmth and humor, Kendall paints vivid pictures of her surroundings—from howler monkeys bringing their babies around to her first-ever sloth sighting—while emphasizing how the experience reinforced her appreciation for her "rockstar team" back home.
The conversation concludes with a powerful message about the importance of committing to self-care despite life's inevitable complications. Kendall reveals that she booked the retreat six months in advance, using profits from the Wellness Center Creators Retreat, and that having already paid for everything made it harder to back out when circumstances changed.
"It would have been really easy for me to say, 'Oh, it's probably not the best time for me to go.' But it was already paid for. Had to do it. Oh, glad I did," she reflects, offering listeners both inspiration and a practical strategy for prioritizing their own wellness journeys.
This episode beautifully demonstrates how personal wellbeing and professional excellence are inextricably linked for wellness practitioners, making it essential listening for anyone building a patient-centered practice while navigating their own health needs.
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About Anna Rudel
Anna Rudel, L. Ac is the owner and founder of Lokahi Acupuncture Clinic in San Jose California, founded in 2003. Anna is a master organizer and clinician, and as a Coach she specializes in working with Clinic Owners in the state of California, and Acupuncturists and Acupuncture Clinic Owners, or groups wanting to add Acupuncture worldwide, as well as teams that need support with employee retention and satisfaction. Born in the UK, Anna has traveled extensively in Asia and now has a thriving multi-practitioner clinic in the US!
Anna's Website and Links
- Website: https://lokahiacupuncture.com/
- Learn Group Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/group-coaching
- For info about Individual Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/individual-coaching
About Kendall Hagensen
Kendall is a Somatic Mental Health Therapist, Multidisciplinary Clinic Owner and Business Coach. She specializes in, and is passionate about, working with healthcare professionals to create the businesses of their dreams. Big goals always have a psychological component beneath the surface, so Kendall uses her background in Somatic Psychotherapy and EMDR Therapy mixed with Business Coaching tools to help clients develop a healthy relationship with their business and their strength as a leader.
As someone who lives with a chronic illness herself, Kendall feels that health happens best within community, which is why she takes a holistic, integrative, and collaborative wellness approach to her personal and professional life.
Kendall’s Web/Social Links