Creativity Heals. Joy Rises.
· Quit what’s breaking you ~Turn your pain into beauty ~ Remember you are sacred
Finding Fantastic Joy: Oaxaca —
The Art of Creative Rebirth
November 7-14, 2026*
*Early Bird Registration now available
Have you ever felt that quiet ache inside — the whisper that says, “There has to be more than this.”
More color.
More truth.
More of you are waiting to rise.
You’ve spent years being strong, showing up, doing what you “should.” But deep down, your soul is ready for something more — ready to breathe, to create, to reconnect with the sacred spark within you.
It’s time to step away from the noise and step into the sacred.
Join Leah Johnson
Author of Finding Fantastic Joy and TEDx speaker on The Courage to Quit, Leah left a 25-year career in politics after a profound spiritual awakening, having spent much time in many parts of Mexico. Today, she guides others on journeys and retreats to reconnect with their creativity, joy, and Divine partnership through art, ritual, and intentional living.
This November, Leah invites you to journey with her to Oaxaca, Mexico, during the vibrant aftermath of Día de los Muertos — when the veil between worlds is thin, the air hums with ancestral energy, and creativity overflows from every market, mural, and handmade textile.
This Retreat Is for You If You’re Ready To:
Turn pain into purpose through intentional creativity and sacred art (no experience needed—just a willing heart)
Awaken the Divine Feminine within, guided by ritual, reflection, and ancestral wisdom
Release old patterns of perfection, performance, and people-pleasing—and rise into your authentic power
Be witnessed in the community, knowing you don’t have to heal alone
Return home to yourself—clearer, braver, and more whole than you’ve felt in years
Your Fantastic Journey to Joy Begins Here
Retreat Overview
Day 1 – Arrival + Welcome Dinner
Arrive in Oaxaca and settle into your home for the week. Gather in circle for our welcome dinner — a celebration of arrival, intention, and the journey ahead.
Day 2 – Earth Pigments & Creative Awakening
Visit Teotitlán del Valle and learn the ancient art of making pigments from the earth itself. Create your own paints and take them with you as we weave creativity through the week. Includes a traditional Zapotec lunch with local artisans.
Day 3 – Roots & Origins
Explore Mitla — the birthplace of Día de los Muertos, and the sacred Tree of Tule. Feel the presence of spirit and ancestry alive in every petal, color, and story.
Day 4 – Sunrise at Monte Albán & Street Food Tour
Watch the sun rise over the ancient ruins of Monte Albán and awaken your own inner rebirth through movement and meditation. In the evening, savor the vibrant flavors of Oaxaca on a guided street-food adventure.
Day 5 – Temazcal + Healing Massage
Participate in a traditional temazcal ceremony — a sacred sweat-lodge purification led by local healers — followed by a restorative massage. Honor your growth and creative transformation.
Day 6 – Black Pottery & Sunset Ceremony
Travel to the nearby village famous for its barro negro (black pottery) and learn from master artisans. In the evening, return to Monte Albán for a private sunset ceremony — closing the circle of creation, death, and rebirth.
Day 7 – Alebrijes Painting & Marketplace Magic
Paint your own alebrije (spirit animal) with renowned artisan Armando Jiménez. Spend the afternoon exploring the markets, gathering treasures and memories before our farewell circle.
Day 8 – Departure
Breakfast and goodbyes as you carry home the color, joy, and creative fire that Oaxaca awakened within you.
Testimonials
“This retreat was something out of my dreams that I didn’t even know was possible. I felt a deep tugging in my spirit that I needed to find a way to go. After breast cancer and the traumas of treatment, I was desperate for healing — to reconnect with myself, to step outside my comfort zone, and to rediscover the magic of life.
From the very beginning, Leah’s calm presence and guidance gave me the courage to take the leap. She answered every question, quieted every fear, and helped me make the impossible feel possible. Because of her leadership, I found myself on the most epic, healing, empowering, and magical journey of my life.
Every single day, I thought it couldn’t get better than the one before — and every day, I was blown away again. The meditations grounded us in presence, the artmaking helped me process and heal on a soul-deep level, and the adventures with like-minded women filled me with hope, courage, and inspiration. There were surprises around every corner, and I grew in ways I never imagined.
By the end of the retreat, I felt reconnected to my spirit, to life, and to possibility. I finally felt like me again. The powerful healing energy of Teotihuacan is beyond words — it touched my heart and spirit and reminded me of what it truly means to be alive.
I would go on every single one of these retreats with Leah again in a heartbeat. I have zero regrets — only endless gratitude and a longing for more. This was truly the trip of a lifetime, and I will never forget the magic it brought back into my life.”
— Tanielle
Rocks steaming
Drum beating
Aloe prepares the skin
Birth sitting
Skin sweating
Chats unearth what’s within
Bodies feeling
Mind reeling
Rocks burn and bring
Sweat
Truth
Strength
Pain
Sweet Women
Wise Women
Brave Women
Devine Women
Ometeo
-Joy
Limited spots are available; reserve today
Personal Investment of $3250 per person
*** A monthly payment plan is an option
***Early Bird Registration ($500 off) now available through February 15, 2026
What’s Included
7 nights lodging
Two nourishing meals per day
All group activities, workshops, and ceremonies
Local guides, healers, and creative experiences
Ground transportation throughout Oaxaca
*Airfare to Oaxaca City is not included, but airport transportation is provided within the arrival window. Private room upgrades are available for an additional fee, and as available after total group registration is complete
**Some activities may change due to availability, weather, or other limiting factors
Your Guide
Leah Johnson is the author of Finding Fantastic Joy: How Building a Self-Advocacy Campaign Led Me Out of Darkness and the forthcoming Girl! Baptize Yourself. A former politician turned painter, speaker, and spiritual guide, Leah has been traveling to Teotihuacan for over a decade, returning again and again to the sacred energy of the land that first ignited her own healing.
Over the years, Leah has built a deep, reverent relationship with the Divine Feminine and the ancestral wisdom of this ancient place. Her journey from burnout and disconnection to joy and wholeness informs everything she shares—from her writing to her retreats. With love, honesty, and a touch of magic, she now empowers other women to reconnect with their inner strength, creativity, and sacred purpose.
Through long-standing relationships with local wisdom keepers, Leah will guide you through a transformative experience that blends ceremony, intentional creativity, and the unique soul-medicine that only Teotihuacan can offer. This is more than a retreat—it’s a homecoming to your most joyful, powerful self.