Root to Rise CNY Featured on Cultivate CNY Podcast with Alex Canavan

We’re thrilled to share that Root to Rise CNY was recently featured on the Cultivate CNY podcast, hosted by the wonderful Alex Canavan. In this episode, my co-founders, Jaime Weisberg and Tracy Dando, and I had the opportunity to share the journey of creating Root to Rise, our unique roles within the team, and the transformative power of our retreats.

From our humble beginnings with a sold-out one-day retreat last October to the upcoming multi-day Ascend and Elevate Retreat at Vanderkamp this January, this interview dives into the heart of what Root to Rise is all about: fostering connection, healing, and personal growth.

From an Intuitive Vision to a Thriving Retreat Experience

Root to Rise was born out of an intuitive vision during my time as a guest teacher at a retreat. I felt a deep call to create a more accessible and community-focused alternative to the traditional, higher-priced retreat model. Acting on that vision, I reached out to Jaime and Tracy—two incredibly talented women with their own unique gifts and experiences.

While they initially had reservations, given their busy schedules and personal commitments, the three of us eventually came together with a shared vision. Little did we know that our collaboration would evolve into something truly transformative—not just for those who attend our retreats but for us as individuals, too.

Meet the Root to Rise Team

Each of us brings something unique to Root to Rise:

• Tracy Dando: With a background in special education and as the founder of Safe Space, Tracy leads with passion and vulnerability, creating a safe environment for healing and connection.
• Jaime Weisberg: Jaime, also known as “Science Spice” (we have a fun nickname for each of us!), integrates her expertise in positive psychology and resilience training to bring practical tools and strategies to our retreats.
• Meghan Thomas (That’s me!): As a retreat leader and yoga instructor, I focus on grounding participants and helping them move through emotions and trauma using tools like yoga, meditation, and breathwork.

Together, our dynamic blend of skills—spirit, story, and science—creates an unparalleled experience for our attendees.

What Makes Our Retreats Unique

During the podcast, we discussed the evolution of Root to Rise, from our initial one-day retreat to the upcoming Ascend and Elevate multi-day experience. Here’s what sets our retreats apart:

• Connection and Community: Our retreats are designed to help participants feel deeply connected—to themselves and others. Through intentional activities and shared moments, attendees often leave with lasting friendships and a renewed sense of belonging.
• Holistic Healing: We combine mindfulness practices, positive psychology, storytelling, and somatic experiences to support participants on their personal journeys.
• Accessible Transformation: We strive to make transformative experiences accessible to a wide range of people, offering flexible pricing, payment plans, and inclusive spaces.

A Sneak Peek at Ascend and Elevate

Taking place from January 17–19 at Vanderkamp, the Ascend and Elevate Retreat is our first multi-day experience, offering participants an even deeper opportunity for transformation. Highlights include:

• Immersive workshops and practices, from yoga and meditation to positive psychology sessions.
• A serene and magical environment, complete with cabins, a spa, and 850 acres of stunning natural beauty.
• Space for personal reflection and community connection, creating a safe container for growth and self-discovery.

If you’re ready to invest in yourself and start 2025 feeling aligned and empowered, we’d love for you to join us. Use the code CULTIVATECNY for $200 off your registration!

Reflecting on the Journey

This podcast interview was a powerful reminder of the magic that happens when women come together with a shared purpose. As Alex noted during the conversation, Root to Rise is about more than just personal growth—it’s about creating ripples of change that extend beyond the retreat space.

We couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity to share our story and to continue building a community that values connection, healing, and authenticity.

Watch the full episode

We hope this inspires you to join us on this journey of growth and connection. Whether you’re attending one of our retreats or simply following along, we’re so grateful to have you as part of the Root to Rise community.