Why I trust the integrity of this trip

Before I head off in just 5 days(!) I wanted to share why I chose this trip in particular, with this group of people. I think when we commit to anything outside our comfort zone, it's important that we are safe in our vulnerability, and this was vital for me on this adventure into the unknown.

"Spirituality" whatever it means to you, is quite fashionable right now. Lots of people in the public eye talking about "the universe" and manifesting, which I think is a positive thing, even if sometimes the way it's delivered is a little throw-away. For me, spirituality means honouring a connection to something larger than myself, honouring the land, nature and trying to serve my fellow humans as best I can. Being a humanist at heart.

Because spiritual trips are quite fashionable, I'm very aware there are groups that may not hold the integrity of the very sacred places and experiences we are being invited into. So when I knew Peggy Dylan was hosting this trip, I had to say "yes" and here's why:

A little Introduction to Peggy Dylan

Peggy is known as the "mother" of modern day firewalking. In 1977 she walked on coals for the first time, and alongside her then husband Tolly Burkan, before they refined the practice to make it the safe and empowering experience for people across the world it is today. Through this alone, Peggy has changed thousands of lives, and millions through those she trained (Tony Robbins famously trained under her husband Tolly). 

Peggy has worked in the spiritual realm ever since her teens when the loss of a sibling altered the course of her life. She has travelled the world, learning under spiritual teachers and sharing their teachings far and wide. Like me, Peggy is obsessed with exploring human potential and using tools like breathwork and firewalking to transform people's lives. 

Having encountered Peggy from afar as part of the firewalking movement, in 2023 I was lucky enough to spend a week with her at Lendrick Lodge where she taught me to become a holotrophic breathwork instructor. She has such incredible presence, and so much wisdom and experience which she offers freely. It's hard to describe how beautifully she holds space and how inspiring she is, because in this country we don't really have spiritual leaders outside of the church. Peggy is non-religious and her openness has allowed her to be initiated and integrated into some very closed communities such as indigenous south American tribes. 

And so to Peru... a place where Peggy has been travelling for more than 40 years and these are the Andean Priests and Shaman that she has known for decades. The relationships that have been built over multiple trips and many years, means the ceremonies and experiences that await us, will be the most authentic we could hope to find.

That authenticity matters so much to me and it gives me the sense of trust and security I need to be vulnerable and open when I'm out there. I won't share our itinerary here, but there are many individual ceremonies with Shaman, tribespeople, Andean Priests and sound healings that I am sure to share with you over the coming weeks.

Knowing these are genuine relationships, rather than something arranged for a 'spiritual holiday,' will make my own experience so much richer. That makes me excited and scared in equal measure!

Photo: Peggy and I at Lendrick Lodge in 2023