Nathalie Magnusson was one of the participants at the spiritual surf retreat that we organized in collaboration with the Surf Academy in magical Santa Teresa, Costa Rica February 2022. We asked Nathalie if she wanted to share a little about her experience!

Nathalie Magnusson
Age: 28 years
Lives: Stockholm
Works as: UX designer
Interests: Dance, yoga, spirituality and design
Discovered Holy Crap: 2020

Why did you want to go to Holy Craps and Surf Academy's retreat in Costa Rica?

I've looked at the Surf Academy's trips but didn't feel like it really fit the time, but in the fall of 2021 I had just broken up with my boyfriend and felt that I had to do something for myself. When I saw that the Surf Academy was organizing a retreat together with Holy Crap the same week we broke up, I took it as a sign that I was going! 

You traveled to Costa Rica yourself, did it feel difficult?

I was a little nervous, but mostly about traveling in Covid times. Even though I traveled alone, I felt that I was in a safe context, we had a group on Instagram with all the participants several months in advance, which meant that I could meet some at Arlanda and travel together. I felt that everything was so nicely arranged and like I was going with a bunch of friends, even though we had never met before. 

Spa day in the shallow pools in Santa Teresa

What was the best thing from the week? 

To meet all the participants and to be in a context with others who are on the same journey. Despite being around people all the time during the week, it never felt stressful or draining, maybe because everyone was a bit on the same frequency and understood each other? It was so nice to experience, for example, reiki or breathwork classes with others who also have the deep interest and such an open mind. It creates a completely different environment to socialize, even outside the activities. From the first moment everything was completely natural and relaxed.

What did you bring home?

For me, it opened up thoughts about how I could live my life. For a long time I have had a lot of thoughts that I would like to live in a different way than I do now, and during the trip I realized that my dreams are possible. Met another girl who also works with UX design and was very inspired by the fact that she works as a freelancer and would spend the whole winter abroad. Also took with me the feeling of a community, I feel much more supported now and dare to stand up for my spirituality even here at home.

Julia, Sara, Nathalie and Sara at sunset in Santa Teresa

Do you still have contact with the participants from the retreat?

Absolutely! Talk to several people on Instagram almost daily and we have met at dinners and classes here in Stockholm.

Where are you right now in your spiritual journey?

I am very much in an exploration which has accelerated since Costa Rica, probably a lot because of KAP which I tested there for the first time. Right now I'm exploring a lot of breathwork that I was also inspired by in Costa Rica. With every new thing I try, it feels like I'm getting deeper into myself. For me, who has a 9-5 job, it's super important to find myself back, to the core, and I think it's happening faster and faster now. Breathwork has helped me find moments during the day to connect, it's a super important practical tool that I can use in my everyday life. 

Thank you Nathalie for wanting to share your experience! If you are curious about also going to one of our retreats or events, you can read more on our events page .