Meet our team.

Smiling woman holding a colander filled with yellow and white flowers indoors.

Jan Holden

I am Emily’s mother and co-founder of ‘I eat what I need’ (IEWIN), having worked in health for over 45 years.

It is my joy and privilege to serve you when you attend a bodysacred retreat.

My passion for care has led me into different areas of mainstream nursing, midwifery and palliative care, balanced with the complementary therapies of kinesiology, Reiki and EFT.

I am a birth and death doula, having attended literally hundreds of births and deaths, holding space for people at their most vulnerable times. I have never advertised these services, I have always simply responded when called.

As your retreat chef, I have a passion for creating and feeding people delicious plant based food!

I am also on hand to offer support and guidance from my many years of experience working in holistic health.

Smiling elderly woman standing on a beach with ocean waves and buildings in the background.

Jane Gooding

I have been with bodysacred retreats and I eat what I need since the very beginning, teaching courses and running groups alongside Jan and Emily, as well as cooking up a plant-based storm in the retreat kitchen. I am an experienced guide and facilitator, having worked in the health sector for over three decades. Like Jan, I started my career as a nurse and now work with individuals, groups and businesses to improve health and wellbeing. During our retreats I will be there to support you emotionally, physically and spiritually. I will walk alongside you whilst you do the powerful and transformative work.

Smiling man with colorful shirt posing against a rocky background.

Cristian Mena

I am Emily’s husband and a qualified massage therapist and Wim Hof Method instructor. I offer full body massage to those attending our retreats in Spain. I completed my training at Brighton City College (now known as Brighton MET) in 2015. I enjoy bringing relaxation and inner stillness to my clients through therapeutic touch.

Woman pouring milk into a cup of tea in a cafe setting, with plants and a British flag outside the window.

Amy Howells

I have known Emily, Jan and Jane since 2017 when I sought their help with my food and body-related issues. Since then we’ve become true friends and I have turned to all of them for their help and guidance over the years. Now, Emily and I design and run the bodysacred retreats website together. I enjoy baking, gardening, painting, singing and most of all being a mum to my beautiful little boy. You will find me at the UK retreats; ready to share my homemade water-kefir and organic sourdough.