You deserve to drop your guard, feel true joy, and show up exactly as you are…
Welcome to summer camp for grown ass women who want to love the sh*t out of their lives, do deep soul work, and find REAL community.
When was the last time you really played? When someone wasn’t demanding something from you at all times? Pulling you in a dozen directions at once? Can you a remember what it felt like to be truly connected to yourself? Do you even like who you are right now in your life? Is there a version of you that you know you are but, for some reason, can’t touch her?
You deserve to love yourself exactly as you are. And, even if your life is slammed busy, you still deserve time for you to feel joy. Time that is just for YOU. Not your kids. Not your boss. For… you. Where you aren’t preoccupied with your weight or anything you feel like you’ve screwed up at. You want to change something in your life? Fucking do it. You’re more powerful than you realize. Need a reminder? I got your back. It’s time to stop pretending things don’t hurt when they do. NOW is the moment you decide enough is enough. It’s time to show up for you because you’re a badass so many ways. It starts, the moment you sign up for Camp LIFELOVE. Let’s do this.
Tentative date of June 11 through 18th, 2025.
“Camp for midlife women? Who have stretch marks and grey hair? What are you talking about, Sarah? Don’t be ridiculous?”
Being an adult sucks. OK, maybe that’s harsh but, you know what I mean. As a “grown up” your life is full of stressors and obligations and responsibilities. I bet your life has some really great stuff in it, right? But I also bet that you need, or want, more. You need something for you. Something.. awesomely ridiculous.
Welcome to Camp LIFELOVE. A week-long experience for women who want to cast aside shame and learn to deeply love themselves, all the while creating change to live a greater life. This is for women who want REAL community. Not the surface-level kind, but the good stuff that takes vulnerability to create but really impacts your life. And we’re doing it 90’s style. Back to a time when our biggest stress-out was which poster from Teen Beat to hang on our wall…
My first experiences at camp in the 80’s where awesome. Climbing up the bus steps in the morning, spending the day swimming and doing activities. Sticky fingers from the ices they gave us for snacks as we sat on the bus home, exhausted and sunkissed. As I got older, camp turned into eight-week sleep-away adventures, full of s’mores and Color War and movie nights and sports I sucked at. It was the 90’s, and Meatloaf was doing ANYTHING for love but THAT, Donna Martin was in danger of graduating on 90210, and we screamed at the velociraptors in Jurassic Park on the big screen.Then I went to “fat camp” and even though those were some pretty diet-culture-fucked summers, I STILL had a great time because I was able to play and laugh and make friends.
In my 40’s now, I really miss that sense of connection and easy fun… so I’m bringing it back to life. For the first time ever, I’m bringing my signature vatreat experience stateside to the US. It’s time for Camp LIFELOVE, Sedona 2025!
At Camp LIFELOVE we’re combining the unbridled joy and irreverent fun of an old school sleepaway camp with the soul connection of a personal growth retreat. You will laugh. You will (probably) cry. You will do ridiculous, fun things, and you will dive deep into self-reflection with workshops, discussions, and guided sessions that will help you connect to self and create a roadmap for practical change.
Ready with a big hell yes?
Make sure to review our FAQs and Lowdown for all the important info
and cancellation policy.
Apply for Camp LIFELOVE
to secure your space ASAP!
Hi! My name is Sarah. I teach self-love to plus size women old enough to remember life before the internet.
Since 2017, I’ve run live events and retreats that have helped hundreds of women straddle the sticky place between radical self-acceptance and what it takes to create real change to live greater, more authentic, and more liberated lives.
LIFELOVE is my signature work, designed to guide you towards real, unshakable self-love. During our week together at Camp LIFELOVE you can expect a beautiful balance of heartfelt depth and exuberant play. The best part? You will do with a community of women you have shared values with in a totally size-friendly environment.
On this website you’ll find all the information you need to decide if Camp LIFELOVE is right for you. I’ll share the details and, if you feel called to apply, you can click the link to do so! Space for Camp LIFELOVE is VERY limited ( on purpose) and we have to move quickly to secure our date. So… Read away and let me know if you have any questions.
See you at camp! XX Sarah (Aka Head Counselor)
Connect to yourself.
Find (real) community.
Refocus. Release. Let love…
Get ready for self-love with a side of s’mores.
When was the last time you felt completely free?
Experience the power of deep soul work combined with unbridled joy and authentic community at totally private location just for us. A group of women of EVERY size at a serene Sedona location. One week of heart centered workshops. One week of a hundred reasons to smile from the inside out. Show up as your vulnerable self, exactly as you are. Leave aligned and connected, with takeaways to drive your self-loving life
If you are…
Feeling “off” in your life and know you want something different but can't figure out how the f*ck to make it happen.
Tired, burnt out and SO READY TO FEEL BETTER.
Craving DEEP connection to like-minded women.
Used to feeling alienated or unwelcome in your plus size body.
Hungry to be part of an actual COMMUNITY.
Longing to feel FREE and JOYFUL, exactly as you are.
…then join us for this soul-connected, jubilant, and life-changing experience.
Camp LIFELOVE is for you if…
Feel really far away from yourself and want to come home to who you know you really are.
Long to find “your people” who accept you exactly as you are.
Want to build friendships that will last you for years to come - really.
Don’t radiate with “super out there” self-help and like stuff that is both vulnerable and practical.
You are DONE feeling lost in life and you’re READY to find clarity and confidence.
You want an ACTIONABLE plan you can implement starting the day you come home to create change.
Camp is NOT for you if…
You are looking to “party” and get wasted. Our focus is on fun and heart and not “all you can drink” vibes.
You’re unwilling to (at least try) to be vulnerable. It can be scary to open up to new people but everyone is in the same boat - vulnerability is how we create something great!
You are intolerant of others' differences and differences of opinions. We are ALL different but we prioritize our shared values of Self-Accountability, Bravery, and Heart.
You have mental health concerns that are unmanaged. This experience is not a replacement for mental health therapy. Everyone is expected to be able to reasonably deal with feelings or emotions that may come up
Q) What’s the deal with the whole “camp” theme?
A) I believe for a transformative experience to be effective, it can’t take itself too seriously. While some folks may be into dancing naked under the full moon and chanting 24/7 while mainlining green juice into a vein, I don’t vibe with that. I need some humor. Irreverence. A good joke about Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Whatever. If you like my energy on social media, you’re probably down with this as well. Awesome!
Camp LIFELOVE will take the best pieces of summer camp and combine it with the best parts of an impactful retreat. We’ll also have deep discussions and collaborative workshops. We will explore deep stuff, and get really vulnerable. There will be sunrise meditations, and more! But we’ll also do activities, hang by the pool, and enjoy the sun. Have a movie night. We’ll gather around a campfire and have hot dogs on sticks. Maybe even do some arts and crafts! At the heart of it all, we’re going to let go. For one week, your only job is to be as present and fully you as possible. And that is a very cool thing!
You. Me. A bunch of cool, totally normal women, hanging out and showing the f*ck up. With a stunning Sedona background, at a totally private retreat center.
Camp LIFELOVE will be held at a private retreat center in Sedona with accommodations, kitchen, and outdoor area on site. From sun-up to sun-down, everything we need is one place. Plus a pool, a hot tube, and a great backyard! Check out some pics! (FYI, I’ve already run a retreat here and know the space!)
Your time will be a combination of deep soul work and unfettered joy. In addition to all of this, you will have plenty of time to relax by the pool, hang with other attendees and enjoy "downtime" to recharge, connect to self, or see the sights in Sedona. And we will laugh. Duh. And do fun stuff. I love fun stuff. Fun stuff is AWESOME!
A day in the life at Camp LIFELOVE
Sunrise Meditation: Your day begins with meditation where we’ll connect to ourselves as the sun rises. (We don’t do this every day, but a few times!)
Group Breakfast: Gather around a big, communal table in the Main Room where we’ll settle in for a delicious homemade breakfast while talking to your fellow Lovers.
Morning Session: Grab your notebook, a cup of tea, and head back to the Main Room. Each day will include workshops in either the morning or afternoon. These explorative-style workshops will include group and small group discussions, activities, journaling, and deep conversations.
Lunch: Yummy, casual eats while hanging with your new friends, feeling the sunshine and breeze.
Afternoon: On alternating days you will be free in either the morning or the afternoon. This allows for lots of time to relax, make memories, sand pend time at the our private pool.
Group Dinner: Fresh made meals, sunset, and laughter as you reflect on the day and make memories.
Evening Activity: From special activities, like a "swim up movie” to karaoke, campfire, and more.
Here are things you can expect during our time together:
Self-love workshops and discussion groups - lots of them.
Sunrise and sunset meditations.
Epic (body liberating) pool party moments!
Games and activities that are accessible for larger bodies or those with more limited mobility.
Outdoor 90’s movie night, talent show, and trivia!
Lots of yummy, casual food and snacks - you’ll never be hungry.
A “free day” you can spend however you like, at the house or exploring Sedona!
TL/DR: The Low down
WHAT: Camp LIFELOVE combines the deep soul work you find in an intimate, personal growth retreat with the relaxation and fun you’d find in a kickass vacation. All taking place at a cozy retreat center in Sedona, Arizona.
LIFELOVE is about two things - connecting to yourself and connecting to a community of like-minded women. We strike the perfect balance of “workshop” and “play” allowing you to stretch your self-love muscles, relax, and laugh your face off all at the same time.
When: Right now our target date is June 11 through 18th. Until we reach our minimum number of attendees, these dates are not secured. If you give us a deposit and the dates change and you cannot make them, your deposit will be refunded.
Where: A private retreat house in Sedona, Arizona, around two-hours from Phoenix and close to Flagstaff.
Who comes to LIFELOVE? You me, and a group of women just like us - ready for more, ready to feel excited, and ready to LOVE their life. The women in attendance are, on average, midlife women of every size and shape - the majority of women are some degree of plus size. Many will have been on some kind of body journey in their life, and all of whom have struggled to find self-love in past. You can feel totally safe to come by yourself! Really. Truly. You will feel welcome, and make friends fast!
Why should I come to LIFELOVE? Come to LIFELOVE because you’re tired of feeling stuck and alone. You need to be seen and you deserve to feel whole exactly as you are. You also know there’s something in you that needs to change and, like Lizzo says, “It’s about damn time.” You need guidance. Structure. You need “your people.” And you need REAL self-love. You also really want to have a great fucking time! We got you.
LIFELOVE is the ONLY workshop-oriented self-love retreat created for plus size women in the market! You will never feel alienated in your body here. We all get the struggle for both deep self-acceptance and self-accountability at the same time! This experience is a chance to recallibrate, refocus, relax, and connect to yourself in a deeply authentic and fun way. The last few years has brought a wave of influencer-led travel offering body-positive vacations. These “influencers” are not trained and skilled facilitators, experienced mentors, and public speakers, and authors. Their focus is “fat fun” and, while we DO have LOTS of fun, this experience is about SOUL WORK. Sarah has extensive, hands-on experience as an event organizer and leader; since 2017 she has guided hundreds of women through practices that deepen self-awareness. This trip is not performance for social media. It’s connection and real community. Because of this, the women that gravitate to Sarah’s events are intelligent, articulate, and sensitive folks who are pretty kickass.
What’s Included: Your investment includes everything with the exception of airfare and transfer to and from the retreat location. We will do our best to facilitate carpooling for you!
Six full days and seven nights at our location.
(Accommodations are available in twin sized beds in double or triple occupancy rooms. You will be matched up with another awesome retreat attendee! Most folks come to LIFELOVE alone. It’s OK to be nervous! You will meet your roommate in advance and have time to get to know them before arrival.)Three meals daily and an snacks.
Non-alcoholic beverages. (Though there will be some wine and light alcohol available at designated times.)
Daily personal Growth Workshops with Sarah
Meditation and body-inclusive Kundalini Yoga
Pool and hot tub time.
Lots of Activities!
Workbook, Journal, and Materials for you to use on-site and take home
Swag Bag
*We kindly request that this be a “dry” Vatreat for alcohol and narcotics. If an attendee shows up to a designated activity visibly intoxicate or under the influence of a mind-altering substance, we reserve the right to ask them to leave the activity. This is for EVERYONE’S mental and physical wellness and safety! Doing this stuff is deep work and we advise against consuming alcohol or drugs that can alter ones perceptions or emotions during this vulnerable time.
How much does it cost? The cost of the retreat depends on two things. First, how many people we have and, second, the kind of room you are in. This will range from $3,000 to $3,400 PP for a shared room, to $3,700 for a private room. There are only two private rooms available so, you can plan on having a roomie! Once our registration period closes, we will know if we have met our minimum and the final cost will be shared.
A Note about Registration: Please Read
If you intend to join us at Camp LIFELOVE, you should submit an application to attend! Please only apply if you are able to financially commit to this experience, as your application acceptance may take space from another attendee if you do not complete registration. Once your application is approved, you will secure your space with a $300 deposit. If, for any reason, our dates must change and you are unavailable for these, your deposit will be returned. Your next step will be to select a payment plan that works for you. Three and six, and nine month plans are offered at a courtesy with no interest. You may also pay in full.
Please note that once you are registered, you are subject to our cancellation policy. linked below.
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Ready with a big hell yes?
I have finally given myself permission to believe in myself and maybe even like myself more than ever before in my life.
Kat, Los Angeles
6 Ways I Make Sure Your
Body Feels WELCOME
In 2016 I registered for a personal growth event run by a celeb-teacher. I was so freaking excited! One month before the event, I received an email asking me what size tee shirt I wanted for my swag. Did I want a women’s Small, Medium, Large, or a men’s XL? My heart sank; I knew at that moment that my body was subconsciously unwelcome.
I spent the months leading up to the experience wracked with fear, worried my larger body wouldn’t be welcome or, logistically accommodated. I “armored up” knowing I’d be the “only fat chick” in the room. I stressed about the seats we’d be sitting in — would I even FIT? I know what it’s like to go to an event and feel unwelcome. I know what it’s like to be the only plus-size person in the room. This is why I run event experiences. Bodies of EVERY size deserve to participate in the process of growth and self-improvement! Those who come to my event know I have done the work in advance to make sure that the experience is as size accommodating as possible. Here are just a few of the ways I am working hard to keep you safe at the Vatreat.
✔️ The focus of our work is will not be about the body, but about the mind-body connection. This is not a retreat that puts the focus on our outsides, but the stuff that shapes us and makes us who we are. I know the answer to happiness is not being thin but we acknowledge and understand some people want to weigh less. In short, we don’t give a fuck about what you want to do with YOUR body. (We kindly ask that you be accountable for yourself for those inevitable moments where weight loss topics tangentially come up.)
✔️ Planned Activities are ALWAYS body-friendly; this includes all optional movement classes. If we have an itinerary on our schedule, you can be confident that it is safe for bodies of all sizes. We’ll take in account any weight limits and make sure the staff is able to keep us safe.
✔️ We make it easy to select the room you need based on your mobility needs.
✔️ Dining seats for all meals are 100% “hip-friendly!” All our meals will offer hip-friendly seating without arms. For reals. At all other locations around the resort, we will do our best to make sure that all seating is as accessible as possible.
✔️ You won’t be rushed. Have you ever had to walk a really long way in (what felt like) a really short amount of time? At LIFELOVE you can go as slow as you need to and nobody will judge you. #Truth
✔️ You won’t be alone. There is something truly comforting about being surrounded by others on a journey like you. You will NEVER be judged for your body at LIFELOVE! This is a place you can feel comfortable to let your bare arms see the sun, put that cute bathing suit on and just EXIST and BE exactly as you are.
FAQ’s
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Space at the Camp LIFELOVE is SUPER limited. Because of this, if you decide to cancel your attendance, the cost is is not fully refundable under any circumstance. The exact amount of your refund will determined by the room you select at time of registration. The full breakdown of refund amount may be found in our T&C. If you cancel with less than 30 days, we will retain the entire amount. You can find the full retreat terms and conditions here. By attending the retreat you agree to the terms and conditions presented. The full refund policy is linked here. We would love to have a more generous policy - unfortunately this is not possible given the financial commitments involved in a hotel takeover.
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FUCK YES! You WILL make new friends and you WILL connect to yourself. You will be totally safe and welcome if you are flying solo. We recommend it.
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Airport transfer is not included however we will do our best to facilitate carpooling between attendees.
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Yes. This is a women’s retreat.
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As a recovering codependent, this is a tough one. Retreats are expensive to run in general. Included in the rate is also compensation for the staff and myself, and all the materials and extra things included. I know this is a big investment. Comparatively, it is less expensive than other spiritual based retreats I have seen yet for the time and deliverables. Remember, this is not a party vacation. You will experience workshops in addition to all the fun!
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Probably not. There are only two solo rooms available. Don’t worry - everyone is nervous about sharing a room. You will be matched with a roomie far in advance and have plenty of time to connect and get to know each other!
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No. This is YOUR experience and you can make decisions for you. We suggest trying everything and keeping an open mind but, ultimately, it's all you!
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No! But, if it normally makes you insecure, we invite you to step out of your comfort zone and remember that this group is TOTALLY size-friendly… and it’s JUST US at the resort!
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You must be at least 21 years of age to attend.
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We respectfully request that you do not. Vatreat attendees will be limited to those who are participating only.
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No. And anyone who says they can is full of it. Remember that
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Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate you at the retreat venue earlier or later.
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The LIFELOVE Vatreat is not intended to be eating disorder treatment or designed to treat any other mental health conditions. If you attend, you are expected to be in a “safe” place with your body so that you can enjoy the experience fully.
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Remember that time when you were younger and you got wasted and super sad and ended up crying and barfing at the same time? And your friend had to hold your hair back while you barf-cried about your really crappy ex-boyfriend? We’re trying to avoid that. (Grin.) The stuff that is going to come up during our time together is intense. If you do want to drink, we request you do so on the first night and last night. If an attendee shows up to a designated activity visibly intoxicated, we reserve the right to ask them to leave the activity. This is for EVERYONE’S mental and physical wellness and safety! Doing this stuff is deep work and we advise against consuming alcohol or drugs that can alter ones perceptions or emotions during this vulnerable time.
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Three and six month payment plans are available using Stripe. As a courtesy there is no charge for this. Nine month plans are only available through March by special request.
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Due to the intimate nature of retreats, we require an application to make sure that our values, expectations, and attitudes are aligned. The retreat application helps Sarah get to know you and what you’re looking to gain from a self-love retreat. A retreat is not for mental health treatment of any sort, though some parts will inevitably be emotionally-charged. We want to make sure that everyone can hold a safe space for each other and effectively deal with any feelings that might come up. If we don’t think our retreats would be a good fit for you, we want to be 100% honest about that from the beginning.
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No. The Vatreat is not a substitute for, nor intended to be a replacement for, mental heath services.