Wellness retreats with a mission

A remarkable Moreton Bay woman, who has twice outlived terminal cancer diagnosis, is now running wellness retreats to help others.

Liz Pickworth was 31 when diagnosed with a rare stage four cancer in 2018. A rare cancer also claimed the life of her father.

Now 38, Liz has had “multiple lines” of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, lost her hair “many times” and been through 20-hour surgeries.

Last year, when given just six months to live, she chose to fight rather than give-up and opted for a treatment with “no evidence of working”.

“By a miracle, I am still here,” says Liz, a wife, mother-of-one, business owner, Rare Cancer Patient Advocate and certified Resilience Coach.

“I have outlived my terminal diagnosis because I kept on going, I look after myself within all the six domains of resilience.

“I believe in the life changing power of resilience. I know that in life, we don’t always have it easy but we can learn the strategies to keep on going despite adversity.”

The retreats, in Caboolture for women and men, are “grounded in evidence-based practices and science”, Liz says.

“If you ever feel like you don’t know how you’re going to pull through, I coach a program called ‘Facing It’ and it can help you face any challenges that come your way.”

The What Women Want and What Men Want retreats, each over two days on separate weekends, are being held at Caboolture in July.

Both are “evidence-based wellness, self-development and entrepreneurship retreats” at the Rose Gardens Shangri-la in Male Rd.

What Women Want

What Women Want is from 9am July 11- to 4pm July 12, with speakers including Larni Mailer, owner of Fernwood North Lakes and Morayfield.

Larni is a “fierce advocate for women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and sisterhood” and will leave you “feeling and supported”.

There will also be yoga, meditation, self-defence, GP and psychologist talks.

What Men Want

What Men Want is from 9am July 25 to 4pm July 26 with Ryan Elson, founder of the Redcliffe-based Tribe Social Belonging, among the speakers.

“How I hit rock bottom and got back up” will reveal Ryan’s journey building an organisation “from scratch from personal lessons in grief, resilience and the need for human connection”.

There will also be yoga, meditation, archery tag, tai chi, relationship expert and mental health talks.

Both retreats include “glamping under the stars”, a night-time band and bonfire. All meals and drinks are included.

Visit Sidelines Consulting & Advisory for more information, phone 0424 794139 or email [email protected]