meet the hosts

FERNANDA + LIZ

FERNANDA —

I was born in Brazil and raised around the world in five countries developing a love for travel and different cultures.  I studied International Business and Hotel Management, later working in Human Resources, leading retreats and in the hotel industry.

When I became a mother, I focused on raising my children while traveling with my husband, diving into holistic therapies, energy work, plant medicine, and sacred traditions. These experiences shaped my view of wellbeing as spiritual, cultural, and personal.

I co-founded Centro Terra Viva, a holistic therapy center in Brazil and created the Conscious Wellbeing Method—a mentorship program to help others realign their lives. Today, I work as a Holistic Coach, Akashic Records Practitioner, Sound & Vibration Facilitator, and Energy Healing Practitioner.


 

LIZ —

I am a physician by training and after dedicating 29 years to a fulfilling career in corporate pharmaceutical research, I decided in February 2025 to leave my position and the corporate world. While I was passionate about my work, the cumulative stress had begun to negatively impact my wellbeing. Recognizing the need for self-care, I understood that a break was essential and made the decision to take time off to restore and think about what I wanted to do next.

My interest in “cognitive labor”—the unseen work that often falls to women—has shaped our idea for a retreat where women can break free from exhaustion. I’m also passionate about sharing the culture, Native American healing traditions, cuisine, and stunning nature of Zihuatanejo, Mexico through immersive experiences for women.

The Story of YEZ —

YEZ was born from our shared desire to create a sanctuary where women can step away from the weight of daily life.  We believe that taking this necessary pause is one of the most effective ways to break from the cycle of exhaustion. Both of us reached turning points—seeking renewal, meaning, and balance — and found this in Zihuatanejo, the land of women — the perfect place to heal and reconnect. Here, we invite you to pause, breathe, and experience the joy of remembering who you are, a true act of self-care. YEZ was born from a shared longing — two women at different crossroads in life, both feeling the weight of responsibilities, the pull of new possibilities, and the need for deeper renewal.

“A sanctuary by the sea where women can release the weight they carry and return to the rhythm of their own souls.”