Our Team
Founder
Joelene
Joelene is an organisational extraordinaire, a certified Group Fitness Instructor, Nutritional Consultant, and the Founder of Resolution Retreats. Her personal health journey led her to shed nearly 20kg and completely transform her lifestyle. Motivated by her own challenges, Joelene created Resolution Retreats back in 2012 to provide women with practical solutions she once sought.
Cooking, Yoga, and studying the impact of habits on daily life are Joelene's main interests.
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At her home in Pukehina Beach, she enjoys creating delicious food, following the 80/20 rule of eating clean most of the time. Joelene embraces progress, not perfection - something that has resonated with the 1000’s of women she has helped.
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Accompanying Joelene on most retreats are her two 'sidekicks', Sansa (a.k.a. ‘Big Dog’) and Arya (a.k.a. ‘Small Dog’). These therapy dogs bring joy and cuddles to guests, enhancing everyone's experience.
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General Manager
Lauri
Lauri, our General Manager, is the heart and soul of our property, overseeing and orchestrating its seamless operations with finesse. Beyond her managerial duties, she embodies inspiration during retreats, serving as a living testament to the power of conscious choices in shaping our health and wellbeing.
Her journey stands as a beacon, demonstrating that our genetic predispositions need not dictate our vitality; rather, it is the daily decisions we make that hold sway.
Yoga, an enduring companion throughout Lauri's life, has played a pivotal role in her journey toward holistic health. It's not just a practice for her; it's a way of life, meticulously cultivated and refined over the years.
Keep an eye out for Lauri as she crafts delectable and nourishing meals and snacks, infusing them with her passion for wholesome living. Additionally, anticipate insightful workshops where Lauri shares her wisdom and experiences, guiding others toward their own paths of wellness and fulfilment.
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Wellness Manager
Casey
Having triumphed over her own health obstacles, Casey understands the transformative power of perseverance and self-care. "I realized that movement played a vital part in improving not only my physical health, but also my mental health," she reflects. Driven by her belief in the profound connection between physical activity and holistic well-being, Casey pursued certification as a Personal Trainer, channeling her passion into a profession aimed at uplifting others.
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As an enthusiastic and empathetic facilitator, Casey radiates positivity and motivation, inspiring those around her to embrace their own potential for growth and transformation. In her role, Casey finds fulfilment in guiding women through transformative retreat experiences, witnessing firsthand the emergence of clarity and happiness within each participant.
"I'm truly fortunate to be able to support the ladies who come on retreat," she shares, "and to witness the profound positive changes that unfold in their lives." With unwavering dedication and a compassionate heart, Casey continues to illuminate the path to wellness, one empowered woman at a time.
Spa Manager
Elena
With two decades of expertise as a spa therapist, Elena brings unparalleled experience to her role as spa manager. Her journey in the wellness industry began with her hands-on approach to healing and rejuvenation, honing her skills and intuition over the years to become a trusted leader in the field.
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Elena's warm and positive demeanour serves as the cornerstone of our spa's atmosphere, infusing it with a sense of tranquillity and hospitality that makes guests right at home at our on-site spa. Her genuine care for each guest shines through in every interaction, as she takes the time to listen attentively and understand their unique needs and preferences.
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Elena not only manages the spa operations with precision and grace but also takes charge of our reception area; ensuring that every arrival is met with a warm welcome and efficient service.
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Beyond her managerial responsibilities, Elena remains deeply connected to her roots as a therapist, often stepping in to provide treatments and share her wealth of knowledge with her team. Her dedication to upholding the highest standards of quality and care sets the tone for the entire spa.
Head of Guest Engagement
Charlotte
Charlotte started her career in Sydney at an award-winning design agency after completing a Bachelor of Communications over 14 years ago. She has worked in both full service creative agencies and in-house for brands in New Zealand and abroad, helping to bring brands alive through creative strategies, PR and advertising.
Resonating with a holistic and wholesome approach to health and wellness, it was Charlotte's own health journey that inspired her to dive deeper and start studying again. Charlotte joined Resolution Retreats in succession of commencing a Bachelor of Natural Medicine degree.
Charlotte heads our marketing, famil engagements, health and wellness columns and brand collaborations to help share our story and passion for health and wellness with more of you.
We have and continue to work alongside many amazing brands and publications. For future brand partnerships and editorial opportunities, please reach out to media@resolutionretreats.co.nz
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Wellness Manager
Šárka
Šárka is a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, and Women’s Wellness Practitioner, dedicated to helping women live healthier, more empowered lives. With over 17 years of experience, Šárka understands the challenges women face in maintaining their health and fitness, especially after major life changes like childbirth.
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Šárka knows firsthand the importance of staying active and healthy. Her holistic approach to personal training and nutrition coaching considers not just physical fitness but also overall well-being, including stress levels, injuries, and hormonal balance. Šárka believes that exercise should make you feel stronger, both physically and mentally, helping you thrive in all aspects of life.
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Šárka facilitates a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Her goal is for every retreat guest to leave feeling energized and empowered, ready to take on life's challenges with confidence and vitality.
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Presenter, Hormone Specialist
Vinka
Vinka possesses a unique ability to assist you in unravelling your health mysteries. She is deeply devoted to women's health in its entirety.
As a functional nutritionist and hormone specialist, Vinka is committed to enhancing health and wellness. Her distinctive approach involves collaborating closely with you not only to address your symptoms but also to identify their underlying causes.
Vinka presents on all our retreats of seven days or longer. Vinka ensures that our guests leave feeling empowered and in charge of their health.
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Executive Assistant
Jo
Jo is a seasoned professional with a decade of dedication to Resolution Retreats. With qualifications as a personal trainer and nutrition consultant, she embarked on her role as a Wellness manager, guiding retreat guests on transformative journeys toward healthier lifestyles.
Jo immersed herself in the retreat experience, nurturing and supporting guests through their wellness endeavors until mid-2018.
Her commitment to fostering positive change in others' lives has been unwavering. Transitioning seamlessly into a new role, Jo now serves as the Executive Assistant for Resolution Retreats, leveraging her organizational prowess and administrative expertise to support the team remotely.
Her attention to detail, combined with her passion for wellness, ensures that the operational gears of the retreat center continue to turn smoothly.
With a wealth of experience and a heart dedicated to promoting well-being, Jo remains an integral part of Resolution Retreats.
Kitchen Manager
Jem
Jem is the culinary maestro behind the meals that nourish our guests while on retreat. With a lifelong passion for cooking and a dedication to nourishing others, Jem brings creativity, colour and flavour to every dish.
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You'll find Jem in our commercial kitchen creating nutritionist-designed meals using many recipes from our acclaimed recipe book 'Retreat Yourself'. Beyond the kitchen, Jem enjoys exploring local markets, experimenting with new recipes, and embracing moments of quiet reflection.
Jem's culinary creations are more than just food; they are a celebration of health, community, seasonal produce and mindful living. We hope to inspire our guests to feel inspired and more confident to recreate and continue to nourish themselves with new recipes once they've returned home.
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