Free Bird

A woman and a man dressed for outdoor activity in Costa Rica, standing in front of lush green trees, smiling at the camera.
Woman relaxing in a hot tub outdoors, with a stone wall behind her, labeled as 'Tulum Ice Club'.
A person in a red swimsuit doing a handstand on a paddleboard on clear blue water with a cloudy sky and distant shoreline in Tulum.
Four women smiling and sitting together indoors, with a swimming pool in the background. The photo has a Polaroid style border with the caption "puerto vallarta".
A man and woman wearing helmets smiling and posing together, with a person in sunglasses in the background, in Costa Rica.
Group of five women standing outdoors in front of palm trees and a marina, with the caption 'los cabos'.
Group of people standing in front of a carnival game booth at night, some smiling and wearing casual summer clothing, and a chicken mascot costume. The photo is titled 'los cabos'.
Group of three smiling people standing in front of a historic building with large wooden doors in Mexico City, with a woman in the background.

Hi, I’m Laura

And here’s my story. Here’s my journey. Back in 2003, fresh out of college with a business marketing degree and fluent in Spanish, I embarked on an exciting career with a travel wholesale company. As the in-house product marketing manager for The Americas, I led groups of travel agents on immersive journeys to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica. It was more than marketing; it was about curating unforgettable experiences, exploring everything from hotel inspections and local excursions to diving deep into culture and cuisine. Our goal was to identify the best spots and create compelling travel packages.

Over the past 20 years, my marketing career has evolved, but my passion for wellness has remained constant. Yoga entered my life in 2008 during my time in San Francisco and quickly became my anchor, helping me manage anxiety and providing essential tools for mental health. This personal journey led me to become a RYT-200 yoga teacher and delve deeper into wellness techniques to support emotional regulation and resilience of raising children and learning about autism.

I didn’t stop at yoga. I explored various wellness practices, from DBT therapy to experiencing the transformative benefits of ice baths. This hands-on approach fueled my desire to understand the science behind wellness, leading me to earn my Certified Wellness Coach certificate from NASM. While I don’t practice as a wellness coach professionally, this knowledge deeply informs the itineraries I craft for Free Bird Retreats, infusing each experience with meaningful, real-world applications.

During a career hiatus to focus on family and personal growth, I launched Free Bird Retreats as a passion project. It was a natural extension of my background in travel marketing and my belief in the transformative power of wellness-focused travel. What sets Free Bird Retreats apart is our unique itineraries that blend yoga, adventure, cultural exploration, and relaxation. Each retreat is carefully curated to offer not just a vacation, but a profound journey that offers real-world benefits long after the retreat.

Today, Free Bird Retreats boasts over 15 global partnerships and continues to grow. I’ve created spaces where people become a more vibrant version of themselves. It’s more than a retreat company; it’s a heartfelt invitation to join me on a journey of adventure, empowerment, and personal growth.