Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Felicia Mendes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Felicia, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from my personal journey of growth through discomfort and learning to trust my intuition. Growing up in a state of constant fight-or-flight, I developed an awareness of how life can push us into survival mode, but also how it’s possible to emerge stronger from that. Early on, I learned the importance of resilience, yet it took time for me to realize that I hold the power to shape my life—I can break free from reactionary patterns and actively create the life I want.
The more I leaned into discomfort, the more I recognized that growth happens when we stretch beyond what feels easy. That discomfort is where the transformation begins. Every time I’ve trusted my intuition, even when the path seemed unclear or difficult, life has reinforced for me that things have a way of working out, often in ways I couldn’t have imagined. This faith in the process, alongside the understanding that I can control my actions and responses, has shaped my optimistic outlook.
I’ve learned that it’s not about avoiding challenges but about moving through them, trusting the lessons life brings, and knowing that every experience—good or bad—eventually brings clarity and strength. In embracing both my internal power and the unpredictability of life, I’ve found optimism grounded in the certainty that, in the end, everything truly does work out. Growth is not linear. Its a constant expansion and contraction of learning!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the founder of Radiant Resurgence. We offer psilocybin retreats, day ceremonies and community events. What excites me most about the work I do at Radiant Resurgence Retreat is how we are continuously expanding the ways people can connect, heal, and transform. The retreat provides a deeply supportive environment where we offer a mix of holistic experiences, such as sound baths, yoga, and coaching, alongside optional mushroom journeys that comply with Colorado’s Prop 122. What makes this work truly special is how it empowers people to build community, heal past wounds, and find renewed purpose through shared, intentional experiences.
We’re also developing new offerings to take our work even further, such as microdosing paired with sound healing and ecstatic dance. These upcoming experiences will give participants the opportunity to explore gentle psychedelic journeys in a controlled, supportive environment, where sound and movement will further enhance personal transformation. Watching people grow through these practices—whether it’s through our four-week online pre-work, community connections, or more immersive healing modalities—makes this work incredibly fulfilling.
Here’s a summary of the key offerings at Radiant Resurgence:
• Women’s Retreats: Tailored specifically for women navigating new life chapters, such as divorce or other major transitions, offering support and community.
• Private Group Retreats: Customized retreats designed for private groups, offering a personalized experience for chosen friends or family.
• Mushroom Day Ceremonies: Single-day ceremonies incorporating the compliant sharing of medicinal mushrooms, designed to foster introspection and personal transformation.
• Sound Healing & Microdosing: Gentle, guided psychedelic journeys paired with sound healing to deepen the healing process and promote inner peace.
• Ecstatic Dance & Microdosing: A unique offering that combines microdosing with movement, using ecstatic dance to encourage emotional release and personal exploration.
Our guides provide a unique experience offering support each step of the way, from pre-retreat preparation to post-retreat integration, we focus on nurturing self-love, empowerment, and deep personal growth. Our guides, like Bodhi Calagna, an international DJ and psychedelic guide, and Ashton August, a motivational author and yoga instructor, bring their unique talents to create transformative experiences. Witnessing how our participants leave feeling more connected to themselves and others is what keeps me passionate and excited about this work.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I can pinpoint three key qualities or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey:
1. Having a Clear Vision and Mission: From the very beginning, it was essential for me to have a crystal-clear sense of purpose and vision for what I wanted to create. For me, it was about building a community where women could find healing and empowerment. This clarity helped guide every decision I made. My advice to those early in their journey is to define your “why”—know the purpose behind what you do and make sure everything aligns with that mission. When you have a strong foundation of purpose, it’s easier to navigate challenges and make decisions that stay true to your vision.
2. Flexibility and Adaptability: While staying true to your mission is crucial, it’s equally important to remain flexible. The needs of your community and market will evolve, and so should your business. When I launched Radiant Resurgence, I had a vision of what it would look like, but over time, we expanded offerings like microdosing with sound healing and ecstatic dance based on emerging needs. My advice? Have a roadmap, but be prepared to adapt—your company will evolve continuously, sometimes even from month to month. Stay open to new ideas that align with your mission and will expand your impact.
3. Openness to Fresh Ideas: The willingness to embrace new, fresh ideas is crucial for growth. Some of our most successful offerings have come from staying open-minded and incorporating practices that align with our mission while offering something new to the community. Whether it’s introducing optional mushroom journeys or other holistic services, innovation has played a key role in keeping the retreat relevant and impactful. For those starting out, I recommend staying curious—don’t be afraid to step outside the box and explore ideas that resonate with your mission. It’s through this openness that you’ll find room for growth and expansion.
In summary, staying anchored in a clear vision, being flexible enough to adapt, and keeping an open mind for innovation have been vital in my journey. For anyone starting out, building on these principles will help you grow and navigate the ever-changing landscape of your work.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, we are actively looking to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations in the wellness space. We’re particularly interested in working with people who are passionate about building community and empowering others on their personal journeys. We’d love to collaborate with those who support raising awareness around psilocybin therapy, whether through podcasts, events, or other platforms.
In addition, we’re looking for partners to co-host local community events, such as ecstatic dance or similar experiences that align with our mission of fostering connection, personal growth, and holistic healing.
If you’re interested in collaborating, feel free to reach out to me directly at felicia@radiantresurgenceretreat.com. We’re excited to explore new ways to work together and create meaningful, transformative experiences. I invite you to join our newsletter for upcoming events!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://radiantresurgenceretreat.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiant_resurgence_retreat
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556326374855&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Sway Photography
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