We’re thrilled to have recently introduced our Advanced Retreats — and after the success of our first program in Samoa, we’re excited to continue offering these alongside our standard Ohakune retreats. Designed for those who have already completed a standard retreat, the advanced sessions provide a more intimate and focused experience, where you’ll work closely with Lorraine in a small group to explore deeper layers of personal growth. You’ll apply your strengths and values to address challenges head-on, develop actionable strategies, and build the confidence to navigate life beyond bariatric surgery with greater ease. Combined with a few joint sessions alongside the standard retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to refresh key tools while uncovering new insights and perspectives.

We have limited spaces available for our Advanced Retreat Program so if you’re interested in reserving a spot, please email - amanda@tailorclinics.co.nz and we’ll be in touch with more details.

Here’s what some of our recent participants had to say about their Advanced Retreat experience:

**Charlotte**

*“After this experience, I feel more empowered, more in control, calmer, and more confident in my ability to navigate challenges.”*

The Advanced Retreat in Samoa was truly an incredible experience—four days of deep reflection, growth, and connection. Building on the standard retreat, where we were introduced to the tools for long-term success, this retreat was about putting them into practice. We worked closely with Lorraine in a small focus groups, where we could dive deep into our personal challenges and apply our strengths and values to develop real, actionable strategies.

While the entire retreat was amazing, the small advanced group sessions were the most powerful part of my experience. They created a safe, trusting space where we could be completely honest about our struggles and receive tailored support. There was nowhere to hide; we were challenged to look within, confront barriers, and push through them with guidance and support.

Having the joint standard and advanced retreat sessions provided added opportunities to refresh ourselves with the tools, reevaluate our purpose, strengths, values and goals, and reflect together on how we apply these in our daily lives once home.

For anyone who has attended the standard retreat and is wondering whether the advanced retreat is worth it—100% hell yes! Do it! The first retreat gives you the tools, but the advanced retreat is where you dive deeper and continue using them in a way that sticks. For me, it is another step toward long-term healthy outcomes after bariatric surgery, reinforcing the mindset shifts that make sustainable success possible.

I would absolutely attend another advanced retreat - I can’t wait! Every time, I uncover new layers of self-awareness and gain even more clarity on my journey. After this experience, I feel more empowered, more in control, calmer, and more confident in my ability to navigate challenges. The retreat helped me shift from knowing what i should do to actually doing it—without fear, without hesitation.

Thank you Andrea, David, Lorraine, Sheryl and my fellow retreat participants for creating such a transformative experience. If you're serious about long-term success, this retreat is a must.

**Rebecca**

*“I had carried a burden for close to 40 years and in a few short minutes using techniques and tools from her coaching practice, Lorraine helped me understand and find compassion for myself”*

I’m just back from the advanced foundations of healthy living retreat hosted at the beautiful return to paradise resort in Samoa. I’m 3 1/2 years post RNY and I’ve had the most amazing journey. I attended the beginner retreat in Ohakune about nine months post surgery and it changed my life. The advance retreat was a chance to lean deeper into the tools and practices that I was taught at the original retreat, as well as benefit from small group coaching with Lorraine. I achieved a meaningful and lasting shift. I had continued to struggle with self sabotaging behaviours that I didn’t understand. I’ve made significant gains that I am really happy about but there was still some stubborn behaviours that I didn’t understand and that I couldn’t get rid of. The small groups felt really safe, each of us had one on one coaching with the others present which sounded like it would be scary but was actually so enriching. I learned from the struggles of each member in the group and took something away from their work, as well as achieving a breakthrough for myself. We all had a shift we wanted to make in our lives whether it was overburdening ourselves with the needs of family and work, self sabotage, struggling with our inner critic and being too hard on ourselves, or not believing in ourselves. Lorraine’s methods treated us with compassion, allowed us to understand our issues more deeply and crucially, to find our own solutions. All this without having to relive some of the traumatic experiences that may have led to these beliefs. I had carried a burden for close to 40 years and in a few short minutes using techniques and tools from her coaching practice, Lorraine helped me understand and find compassion for myself in those areas. This has led to lasting change and the shift of wanting to do the things that are in my interest, not through force of will, but from preference.

Attending the retreat in Samoa also offered the opportunity for exploration and new experiences. In addition to the workshops and coaching, we had the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles and giant clams and to visit amazing natural wonders and enjoy the warm waters of a tropical paradise. the resort is locally owned and that community feel flows through every experience, including the cultural show on the Saturday which was an absolute hoot.

The retreat facilitators worked hard and with good humour to look after our minds, bodies and souls, through the retreat content, ensuring we had nutritious, fresh meals, regular and accessible exercise, and support to take risks on the outings. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity. I can recommend it without reservation, if you’re on the fence, go! I’m also so grateful to my other retreat participants who all leaned in, were vulnerable and authentic, and worked hard to grow and improve themselves through this experience. It was just what I was looking for for are fresh, a tuneup, and the depth of my personal shift exceeded my expectations.