Meet Marina Dabcevic and Vili Hickey of Vivify Retreats in Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marina Dabcevic and Vili Hickey.

Vivify Retreats is founded by two wellness experts – Awaken Now founder Dr. Marina Dabcevic and celebrity fitness trainer Vili Hickey. We met 38,000 feet above ground while our kids ran up and down the aisles of the plane. Little did we know, two months later, we would run into each other again in Marina del Rey, CA and the rest is history…

Motherhood and a passion to help others reach their highest potential for a healthy life brought us together to create Vivify Retreats.

Our wellness retreats are specifically curated to help people disconnect from the unnecessary and connect their mind, body, and soul on a deeper level.

Our intention is to give every person the tools so they can replenish, reconnect, and revive through travel, wellness, and healing.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We each have our own businesses so Vivify Retreats is a second business for us. Trying to build a second business, on top of expanding our first businesses, AND taking care of our kids is not easy, but we are having as much fun as we can along the way!

Convincing people to come to your first ever luxury wellness retreat and have your guests put their trust in you, to organize everything (while meeting the high standards we’ve set for ourselves) can be difficult at times. We want to show the luxurious side of health and wellness. Not just in our treatments, but in the places we host these retreats around the world, the guest speakers we feature, and of course the private chef dining experiences that our guests will enjoy on our retreats.

It is a lot of time, sweat, and tears but we both like a challenge.

Please tell us about Vivify Retreats.
Vivify Retreats are curated wellness retreats specifically designed for you to disconnect from your busy mind, the burdens of technology, the daily grind, and connect you to a deeper level of your body + soul.

Join us for memorable retreats around the world – where nature meets luxury so you can – Disconnect to Connect. The next retreat will be October 17-20 2019 in Palm Springs, California.

With our luxury retreats, we aim to exceed the high standards and professional atmosphere we envision. We really focus on each person and work individually with each client to maximize their wellness experience. Our guests will experience growth, not just mentally but also physically, through daily workouts, movement, and meditation. Deep healing comes courtesy of our acupuncture sessions and delicious, healthy meals will be provided by celebrity chef and founder of Create Hospitality, Lauren Koeppe.

We are not a simple yoga retreat. We want to wake you up, get you out of your comfort zone, shake up old habits, and create a new, better version of yourself.

Vili- I grew up in Austria with three older and one younger sibling. Every summer we would spend with my Grandma at the most beautiful lake “Attersee.” Long summer nights riding our bikes in pure nature. I will never forget how safe and loved I felt by my Grandma.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Marina – Living in Croatia and spending time with my Grandpa. After having two sons and two grandsons, I was the only girl on that side of the family and he did EVERYTHING for me! He played with me, bought me so many treats, taught me to swim, took me to plays. It really was the best time!

Vili- I grew up in Austria with three older and one younger siblings. Every summer we would spend with my Grandma at the most beautiful lake “Attersee.” Long summer nights riding our bikes next to pure nature and feeling so safe and protected with her.

Pricing:

  • Shared Accommodation – 2 twin beds $1500

  • Single – King Suite – $1800

  • Shared – King Suite – $1500 each

Contact Info:

Marina DabcevicComment