The fact that it is 6 months after Body Image Bootcamp Gone Wild first launched, tells you that I wouldn’t know where to start in regards to what this week was. While all of the babes that attended would have their own experience and take aways, as the facilitator and creator of this experience, it was awe-inspiring to say the least.
When I first arrived to Puerto Vallarta, I made it through the “shark tank” (where all the Taxi drivers try to get ya!) and perched myself at the nearest maragarita stand to wait for ms. Beth Olson who would join me for the first full day to get settled and ready for our guests to arrive the next day! I could not have executed this amazing experience if not for Beth. She was the perfect mastermind to find this amazing location, to securing the transportation, AND SHE SPEAKS FLUENT SPANISH. Every big workshop/retreat I plan, Beth will be at the helm doing the amazingness that she does best!
Once Beth arrived, we got into a cab and were transported through the streets of Puerto Vallarta. Now, when we arrived it was at the height of the hurricane warnings, so it was raining cats & dogs. Well, as our van neared our residence, the roads got rockier and the hills got steeper. Suddenly, we saw the hill that led to the gates of our “sky bucket” (which will be described in a minute!). It was almost a 90 degree angle and we told the cab driver we would walk it, but he said “NO NO” and gunned it. Not gonna lie, I had my eyes closed. As we neared the top of the hill, the tires began to spin so he jammed on the Ebrake. I quickly jumped out of the car, grabbed what bags I could and hoofed it the last 3 feet up the hill to where our house attendent Maria was waiting for us.
Now, what the hell is a “sky bucket”? Well, it’s the nickname we gave our Funicular (a little train elevator that runs on cables up incredibly steep hills). So, we get onto this little wooden platform and make our way up to the second “Stop” where we get to see our weekly home for the first time. WE. ARE. #DEAD.
The gorgeous archway surrounded with ivy transported us through to our house staff who were waiting with large margaritas for us. I don’t think the smile left my face. Was this my real life? Was my dream coming true? Well, we set down our margaritas and took off to check out the house and the rooms. Every room was decorated exsquisitely (you know us boudoir photographers like a good detail) and in it’s own unique way. Our favorite part (and probably the place we spent most of our time) was the infinity pool that overlooked the city and the ocean and gave us a nice reprieve from the sun (that would come later in the week!) In fact, I pretty much put on my bathing suit within the first hour of arrival and hopped into the pool.
The next day our guests were set to arrive and with the hurricane looming in the distance we hoped the flights wouldn’t be affected too much. Slowly but surely our gang arrived in little bits, giving us time to spend with each group before the next arrived. Similar to the greeting that Beth and I had, the girls were shuffled into the home and provided a margarita the size of their heads. I think one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip was watching everyone’s eyes light up at this magical home we had found - “The Point of Heaven” as it was called. Like any workshop/retreat, it’s always a wee bit nerve wracking to see how everyone will interact with each other because there are so many personalities, but because I talk a lot about Clifton Strengthsfinders, I was able to “figure out” each babe’s personality a little bit and ensure I provided them what they needed: maybe the quieter rooms for the introverts, the rooms closer to the common areas for those who just love to chat and be part of it all, etc. While we were there to learn and get into some deep topics, I also wanted to create an environment where each person could be 100% themselves and teach everyone how to appreciate the strengtths that everyone brings to the table.
The first day was really everyone’s day to get settled, relax, get the nerves out, and enjoy meeting each other. Then we gathered around the table for the amazing dinner prepared by our talented staff and talked about the expectations, objectives, and desires for the weekend. I loved hearing what everyone wanted out of their experience and loved seeing the excitement and nerves in their eyes and voice.
While the intention of Body Image Bootcamp Gone Wild was to be for anyone who wanted to become a certified facilitator, all of the babes that came were boudoir photographers. Therefore, it should be no surprise that by Day 2, most of us were comfortable skinny dipping in the pool (if you have never felt the satisfaction of letting your titties and chub float effortlessly in water, you haven’t lived!). We all busted out our cameras and would take photographs when we weren’t getting down to Body Image Bootcamp business. I think, looking back now, that we all took to photographing after a day of learning to actually process our thoughts and feelings.
The Body Image Bootcamp aspect of it: PHEW. So, I have executed Body Image Bootcamp a plethora of times before this retreat, but this was going to be waaaaaay different. I not only had to squeeze a 6 week program into 2 days, but I also had to do it in a way that the babes wouldn’t be tempted to ignore me and go for a swim instead. THANKFULLY, the hurricane was a blessing. For 2 days it rained steadily (nothing too crazy) which allowed us to really get in touch with our feelings and feel nostalgic to do the work that was necessary. I had tables full of crafty bits, glitter, magazines, stickers, glue sticks, scissors, etc. so that people could use their provided art journals to process the information that was coming out from the course.
When I first created Body Image Bootcamp, back in 2015, it was because I noticed there was a huge need for a few things: 1) a supportive place for women to talk about their body image + bodies even if they did or didn’t have an eating disorder 2) bringing women together, because when groups of women get together there is healing and 3) education on WHY we feel the way we do and how we can turn that around. So, I delved head first into studying (what I now know) positive psychology and the psychology behind body image and ran the first workshop out of my studio. So, when I looked around in our beautiful residence in Puerto Vallarta and saw 9 women getting completely vulnerable, sharing their histories, experiences, and life challenges openly, honestly and with nothing but love for each other, I was overwhelmed with emotion. And even when we’d be done the curriculum parts of the day, the conversations continued late into the night. The bonds we created with each other over the course of just SIX days were deep, personal connections.
These women, all with their amazing talents, challenges, and experiences trusted me to take them on adventure and journey through their body image, but we ended up with a lot more….just like I say “body image is actually never about the body”, we ended up with so much more. With 2 days of travel, 3 days of education, and 1 day of rest (and massages!) we all walked away changed forever.
Now, fast forward 6 months since Body Image Bootcamp Gone Wild, and the babes are putting their certification to action: With the Duluth boudoir girls, Jes & Emily empowering their clients through discussion and book clubs, I have seen their confidence in their purpose as boudoir photographers become more certain! Their message is 10000% more authentic than ever before. Elizabeth of Torrid Boudoir, executed her first Body Image Bootcamp with her clients and the feedback has been outsanding, but more importantly, I have seen a shift in Elizabeth’s OWN self image journey and bringing her back to the joy of art journaling. Heather of Columbus Boudoir, while she hasn’t yet launched her Body Image Bootcamp for her clients, the strides she has made in her own self love and body image journey are fucking incredible. She is talking about opening a second studio in Florida and “living her best life” for once! Libby is making gains in her self love game, working hard to empower others, and get her empowerment photography business off the ground! But more importantly, she is setting boundaries, exploring new ways of thinking, and challenging her own belief systems at every turn! Sarah took on her first studio and using her knowledge from Body Image Bootcamp to educate her clients on their body image issues when they come to her for photography or yoga practice. She sees the value in having the knowledge to let people feel the feels, but provide them with tools to work through them! In addition, I have seen an amazing outpouring of empowering content on her social media accounts to spread good vibes! Hillary has started to share her love for empowerment photography with her friends and family and even though was nervous about the feedback that might happen, she still did. In addition to that, I have been privileged to watch her become an immense pillar of support for the other women in this gang. She has provided a loving ear, a hand to hold, a travel companion, a business strategist, and all around good friend for all of us. Emily has not only launched her first body image bootcamp, but also created the RAW (Real. Authentic. Women.) Project for her and other photographers to participate in. After seeing a photo of herself during the body image bootcamp, she was taken aback by the way she looked sans hair and makeup in just her natural beauty and quickly realized that it wasn’t bad, it was just uncomfortable. So she wanted to created that experience for her clients to help them own their truth! And Beth, oh beautiful, wonderful smart Beth. She confessed to me that coming to Body Image Bootcamp she was sure she already had her shit together, but after going through the course along with the other babes (while grabbing video footage for me) she realized that this journey maybe is more in depth than she realized. This babe has been doing some amazing shit, but one of her highlights is partaking in the pool party scene of Hulu’s recent Shrill starring Aidy Bryant. In addition to that, she has been working on a lot of commercial projects to help build inclusivity and diversity in the fashion industry and that is fucking cool. Of course, she will also be joining me for this year’s adventure as well!
It takes a lot for people to sign up for something that they know literally nothing about, but each of these babes trusted my vision and could see the potential of what could be. They took a chance on themselves and on me, and for that I am forever greatful. Seeing as this was the first time Body Image Bootcamp had gone “international” (aka beyond the US), I was slightly nervous, but by allowing people to be the best versions of themselves, trusting my instincts, and knowing that this program is what we need - in the photography industry and outside of it - I was able to make all of those things I wanted in Body Image Bootcamp: supportive space, healing with other women, and the in depth education of why we feel the way we do - come true. So, while those babes were all affected by BIBC in their own way, here’s what happened to me: Launched BIBC Gone Wild 2019, BIBC Down Under 2019, 2 online BIBC courses (sold out!!!), got certified in Applied Positive Psychology, and hopefully will finish my book by the end of the year!
Body Image Bootcamp is, as Elizabeth says in her video below, magic.
We still have some spots available for Body Image Bootcamp Gone Wild 2019 AND Body Image Bootcamp Down Under 2019! If you are interested in more details for either, send us a message!
