meet the hosts

FERNANDA + LIZ

FERNANDA —

I was born in Brazil and raised around the world, moving more than twenty times and living in five countries. From an early age, I developed a passion for travel, connection, and exploring the beauty of different cultures. My path led me to study International Business and Hotel Management, and later to work in Human Resources and the hotel industry—always drawn to people and meaningful experiences.

When I became a mother, I dedicated myself to raising my children while traveling internationally with my husband. Along the way, I immersed myself in holistic and alternative therapies, energy work, plant medicine, and sacred traditions, learning from teachers and cultures across the globe. These experiences shaped my vision of wellbeing as something deeply spiritual, cultural, and personal.

I later co-founded a holistic therapy center in Brazil, and eventually created the Conscious Wellbeing Method, a transformational mentorship designed to help others rediscover and realign their lives. Today, I work as a Holistic Coach, Akashic Records Practitioner, Sound & Vibration Facilitator, and Energy Healing Practitioner—weaving together practices that restore balance and bring people back to their essence.  

It was through this path that I met my dear friend Liz, and together we created YouExperienceZihua (YEZ)—a retreat space in Mexico where women can rest, renew, and return to themselves.

LIZ —

After dedicating 29 years to a fulfilling career in corporate drug 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, and uncertain about my next steps, I understood that a break was essential, and I made the decision to take time off to restore and think about what I wanted to do next.

I am no longer bound by corporate pressures, and in the past months have observed significant positive changes in my sleep and overall health. I would be honored - to support other women who find themselves in comparable situations. I believe I can empathize deeply with their struggles and understand the barriers, including that never ending guilt, that prevents them from taking necessary breaks.

I’m learning about “cognitive labor”, the often invisible and relentless work required to maintain a household/family/work that falls mostly on women, and its negative consequences. This has informed our vision for a retreat designed for women to specifically put a stop to the unforgiving cycle of exhaustion.

Additionally, I am deeply passionate about the country where I grew up, and I aspire to create experiences for women to immerse themselves fully in its culture, Native American healing ceremonies, traditions, cuisine, and breathtaking nature of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

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.”