With an adventurous spirit and a nurturing heart, I invite you to join me in walking gently back to yourself.
Meet your guide, Marilyn
For nearly three decades, my work was all about giving. Whether I was addressing issues like literacy, human rights, gender equity, or parole and incarceration, I was focused on uplifting others and contributing to a better world. I’ve worked in NGOs, civil service, and as a consultant, but after years of serving my community in so many ways, I hit a wall.
I was completely burnt out.
In late 2023, I decided to take a leap. I quit my job, laced up my walking shoes, and set out on a long solo walk, the final 115km of the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
What started as a needed reset, turned into a walking meditation that helped me rediscover something I’d lost along the way: stillness, peace, and clarity.
Walking back to myself
The Camino was just the beginning. That journey unlocked something within me, and I began to connect more with the restorative power of nature. The following year, I walked across Costa Rica, and then solo walked across England. Step after step, I realised how transformative these experiences could be, not just for me, but for others too.
There was something deeply meditative about being in nature, away from constant demands and expectations. I began to wonder, how many other women are out there just like me? Holding everything together for their families, their workplaces, or their communities, until eventually, they find themselves completely depleted.
With this in mind, I started creating guided wellness experiences in nature to give others the chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves.
Roam & Restore was born from my own journey back to balance.
I believe that life is full of transitions, whether it’s navigating burnout, rediscovering purpose, or simply finding time to breathe after years of taking care of others.
Women, especially, often carry so much for those around them, leaving little space for themselves.
A Life of Curiosity and Growth
I’ve always had an adventurous spirit. I have visited 53 countries and hiked in Nepal, Bhutan, Jamaica, Bali, Indonesia, Panama, Costa Rica, England and Spain. I find joy in the simple act of walking, exploring, and being present. Over the past two years, I’ve followed this curiosity inward as well, diving deep into wellness practices and personal growth.
I became a UK trained Reiki Master. I am a student of practical philosophy and meditation and regularly attend silent meditation retreats. I rediscovered my love of dance and even performed Bollywood dance in front of 1,000 people for a Diwali celebration! These experiences have taught me so much about the importance of movement, mindfulness, and creating space for reflection.
I’m also navigating a major life transition: menopause. Like many women in mid-life, I’ve been reflecting on how I want to spend the rest of my life. With three incredible children who are now young adults from late teens to mid-twenties and the support of my amazing life partner, I’m learning to embrace the ups and downs of this period with curiosity and grace.
Every step I’ve taken, from the Camino de Santiago to the Camino de Costa Rica, and my solo journey across England, has reminded me of the power of walking intentionally. It’s not just about the path beneath your feet; it’s about the internal journey as well.
I would be honoured to guide you on one of these restorative journeys. Together, we’ll slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the peace waiting for you on the other side of stillness.
Come join me. Let’s walk back to ourselves.
My Approach
At Roam & Restore, our retreats are more than just getaways, they are immersive experiences, intentionally crafted with care, purpose, and connection. Grounded in a unique philosophy that prioritises rest, reflection, and reconnection, every element of these retreats focuses on your well-being while honouring the communities and landscapes we touch.
We combine intentional design with gentle, nurturing guidance to create a space that feels safe and restorative for every participant. You are offered the freedom to embrace the moment and reconnect with your most authentic self while nature leads the way, all without needing to worry about what’s next.
-
1. Unhurried Pace
Imagine days that flow like nature itself, unrushed, spacious, and intentional. Our retreats are free from the hustle of packed schedules; instead, offering room to breathe, rest, and follow your own rhythm.
2. Gentle, Elegant Care
Every detail is thoughtfully designed to promote ease, clarity, and comfort, so you can let go of stress and simply be. From nourishing meals to serene moments of stillness, care is woven into every experience.
3. Purposeful Design
Whether it’s a mindful walk, reflective journaling, or meaningful rituals, everything has a distinct purpose: helping you reconnect with yourself. Even time to daydream and rest serves your renewal and growth.
4. Nature-Led Immersion
The world’s most extraordinary landscapes, from Central America’s cloud forests to Europe’s ancient walking routes, become co-guides in your journey. The restorative power of mountains, rivers, and forests surrounds and supports you, offering healing and inspiration.
5. Sustainable Wellness Travel
Sustainability is at the heart of every retreat. We work in harmony with the land and honour the people who belong to it by engaging with local guides, families, and businesses, as well as practising ethical, eco-conscious travel. Together, we protect the landscapes we explore and give back to the communities that welcome us.
-
You deserve a space where you feel truly safe and supported, a space to rest, reflect, and reconnect without judgment or pressure. Here’s how we ensure that every Roam & Restore experience is anchored in deep connection and care:
Clear Structure, Total Freedom
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be guided through a clear and intentional flow. Thoughtful planning removes decision fatigue so you can focus on your journey, not logistics. Everything is optional, this is your time.
Respect for Your Boundaries
Personal space is sacred. Whether it’s quiet moments to yourself, gentle encouragement, or just time to pause, your retreat is your own.
Grounding and Restorative Pacing
All our retreat elements are intentional and designed to support your restoration. Physical activities may challenge or be the gentle backdrop to your transformation. Grounding rituals help you feel present and clear communication ensures you feel informed.
Culturally Respectful Practices
Each retreat cultivates respect, not only for participants but also for the land, local partners, and the communities we engage with.
We believe that your rest and restoration does not have to come at the cost of local service providers. Everyone that supports your retreat is treated fairly and respectfully.
True safety comes from a combination of structure, heartfelt guidance, and the healing embrace of nature. Your rest is fully grounded in ethical care at all levels of your experience.
-
Here’s what I bring to Roam & Restore:
As a retreat leader, I bring a blend of professional qualifications, personal experiences, and deep empathy for those who often give more than they receive. My understanding of restoration comes from being a “Giver” and I am continually learning the art of replenishing and reclaiming.
Nature Therapy & Mindfulness Experience
My own experiences in mindfulness meditation and nature-based reflection guide the design of restorative, grounding experiences. This is underpinned by the stoic philosophy concept of the common good and the duty of care for one another and the world around us.
Ethical Retreat Designer
Every moment of a Roam & Restore retreat is curated with intention, from the practical logistics to the emotional flow of the experience. Your peace will never come at the pain of local providers. Everyone is treated fairly and all aspects of the retreat planning is based on integrity, social responsibility, and ethical practices.
30+ Years in Social Development & Leadership
My background in building communities and supporting personal transitions allows me to craft retreats that both hold and elevate participants.
UK-Certified Reiki Master Practitioner
I offer tradition-based energy work to help clients feel deeply relaxed, recalibrated, and renewed.
Safety & Care
Trained in CPR and supported by professional local guides, I ensure that you can safely engage with nature, even in its wildest forms.
What sets me apart is not just my expertise but also my ability to care deeply for each participant. Warmth, presence, and intuition guide my approach, ensuring you feel supported as you reclaim your time and spirit.
A Space Where You Can Simply Be
You give so much of yourself to everyone else, this Roam & Restore space is just for you. It’s your time to pause, turn inward, and reconnect with your true self, free from external expectations.
Here, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ participants will find a safe environment to rest and simply exist in peace, without the pressure to perform or conform. Every retreat and wellness offering honours the diversity of its participants while offering space for individuality and ease.
I won’t promise easy answers, but I will promise this:
These experiences are designed to meet you wherever you are. Whether you need solo time for restful contemplation, an adventure into breathtaking landscapes, or just a quiet space to breathe deeply, you’ll find it here.