America’s Largest Vegan Wellness Retreat
The retreat that started it all
The original VWR experience returns to Michigan in 2027, bigger than ever. We book the entire camp, so for five days all 900 acres are ours — no other guests, no crowds. Join 500+ like-minded people for five unforgettable days of wellness, adventure, education, and connection — with incredible WFPB meals and a one-of-a-kind plant-based community.
See Timber Wolf Lake
Private waterfront access, swimming, inflatables, beach activities, open green space for yoga and games, and comfortable lodging just steps from the water.
On the property
Timber Wolf Lake · 900 acres on the water in northern Michigan — a private buyout of the whole property.
Included at both retreats
A day in the life
Check-in begins in the afternoon. Get settled, explore the grounds, and meet your people.
Five days of food, community, movement, and transformation come to a close. Morning checkout.
The filmmaker behind Cowspiracy, What the Health & Seaspiracy comes to Michigan — and brings something no audience has ever seen.
Michigan 2027 · Speaker Spotlight
Every session at VWR is grounded in peer-reviewed research — no fads, no guesswork. Just evidence-based information that actually moves the needle on your health.
Cowspiracy · What the Health · Seaspiracy
Kip Andersen is the filmmaker behind Cowspiracy, What the Health, and Seaspiracy — three documentaries that reshaped how millions of people think about food, health, and the planet.
In Michigan, Kip brings something no audience has ever seen: the world premiere of his brand-new documentary, screened publicly for the very first time — anywhere — right here at Vegan Wellness Retreat. He’ll also deliver a live keynote and a live audience Q&A, plus a bonus screening of another of his acclaimed films with live commentary. This is a first-in-the-world moment you’ll only find at the Michigan retreat.
Water-Only Fasting & Whole-Food Healing
Dr. Alan Goldhamer is one of the world's preeminent authorities on water-only fasting — and the founder of TrueNorth Health Center, the largest facility on earth dedicated to medically supervised fasting. Over four decades he has personally supervised the fasts of more than 25,000 patients and trained a generation of physicians to do the same.
His landmark research on fasting and hypertension, published in peer-reviewed medical journals, helped move water-only fasting from the fringes into evidence-based medicine. He is co-author of the modern classic The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the Hidden Force That Undermines Health & Happiness, co-author of Can Fasting Save Your Life?, and author of The Health Promoting Cookbook.
Articulate, provocative, and impossible to forget, Dr. Goldhamer travels the country helping people break free of the habits that undermine their health. In 2027 he'll be right there with you — on the main stage and the doctors' panel — at both the Texas and Michigan retreats.
Reversing Alzheimer's, Fasting & Brain Health
Dr. Joshua Helman is a Harvard-trained physician who has devoted his career to healing the brain and extending healthy life. He holds two biochemistry degrees — graduating magna cum laude from Harvard and earning a master's from Cambridge — and his MD from Harvard Medical School and MIT. He is a triple board-certified physician.
He serves as Medical Director of the Hippocrates Health Institute and as Chief Medical Officer of two centers dedicated to reversing Alzheimer's disease, where he has spent six years helping patients restore memory and brain function through fasting, whole-food nutrition, and evidence-based lifestyle medicine. His years at TrueNorth Health Center deepened his expertise in water-only fasting as a tool for healing, and he hosts the podcast Alzheimer's Breakthrough.
A returning favorite from our 2025 retreat, Dr. Helman is back on the Michigan main stage and doctors' panel in 2027 — with practical, hopeful science on protecting your brain, reversing cognitive decline, and living longer and better.
Plant-based living & community
Nate and Lissa Maris are passionate advocates for compassionate living, plant-based nutrition, and creating a healthier, more connected world. Through their work, they inspire people to embrace a lifestyle centered around kindness, wellness, and the incredible potential of a plant-powered approach.
Known for their positive energy, authenticity, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Nate and Lissa share practical insights and inspiration that make healthy living feel approachable, joyful, and sustainable. Their message goes beyond food — it's about building a life filled with vitality, purpose, community, and compassion.
As members of the vegan movement, Nate and Lissa have dedicated themselves to educating, encouraging, and empowering others to make choices that benefit their health, animals, and the planet. Their enthusiasm and genuine passion have made them beloved members of the plant-based community.
Join Nate and Lissa at Vegan Wellness Retreat for an inspiring experience filled with connection, learning, and the celebration of a compassionate, plant-powered lifestyle.
Eat, Move, Rest: The Plant-Based Family Blueprint
Erin and Dusty Stanczyk are the husband-and-wife team behind Eat Move Rest — the beloved wellness brand and online community they founded in 2015 to help people get back to the basics of a vibrant life: the three things we all do every day — eat, move, and rest.
After years of battling anxiety, panic attacks, and acid reflux, the couple overhauled their health with a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle — inspired by the work of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. — and never looked back. Combining Dusty's background in biology with Erin's training in interpersonal communication, they turned their own transformation into a mission to empower others.
Today they're raising three plant-strong kids and are the authors of The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook, a colorful guide to nourishing your whole family and having fun along the way. Through their coaching, cooking classes, workshops, and thriving social community, Erin and Dusty have inspired hundreds of thousands to live more joyful, colorful, plant-powered lives.
At Vegan Wellness Retreats, Erin and Dusty bring their warmth, practicality, and infectious energy to both the Texas and Michigan retreats — showing families exactly how to make plant-based living simple, sustainable, and genuinely fun.
Reversing Insulin Resistance & Mastering Diabetes
Co-author of the New York Times bestseller Mastering Diabetes and co-founder of Mastering Diabetes and Amla Green. Living with type 1 diabetes since 2002, Cyrus has helped more than 10,000 people improve their metabolic health through low-fat, plant-based, whole-food nutrition. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford and a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from UC Berkeley.
Plant-Powered Nutrition & the Future of Food
Doug Evans is a visionary entrepreneur, author, and pioneer in the plant-based wellness movement. With a passion for helping people harness the power of plants, Doug has spent decades creating innovative ways to make healthy, sustainable, and compassionate living more accessible.
Doug is the co-founder of The Sprouting Company, dedicated to educating people about the incredible benefits of growing and consuming sprouts. Through his work, he has helped thousands of people discover how simple, nutrient-dense plant foods can become a powerful part of a healthy lifestyle.
He is also the author of The Sprout Book and has been a leading voice in the natural foods movement, sharing his knowledge of nutrition, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and conscious living. Doug's unique ability to combine science, innovation, and practical tools has inspired people around the world to reconnect with their food and make healthier choices.
At Vegan Wellness Retreat, Doug Evans will share his passion for plant-powered nutrition, the future of food, and how simple changes can help transform health, communities, and the planet.
Building Muscle on a Plant-Based Diet
Scott Burnhard is a passionate advocate for plant-powered living, fitness, and personal transformation. Through his journey of building strength, optimizing health, and embracing a compassionate lifestyle, Scott inspires others to challenge their limits and discover what is possible on a plant-based diet.
Known for his impressive physique, positive mindset, and dedication to helping others become the strongest version of themselves, Scott combines fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle principles to show that a compassionate approach can also be a powerful one.
Scott's mission is to break outdated misconceptions about plant-based athletes and demonstrate that plants can fuel incredible performance, strength, and vitality. His message encourages people to pursue health, confidence, and personal growth while making choices that align with compassion for animals and the planet.
Join Scott at Vegan Wellness Retreat for an inspiring experience focused on fitness, plant-powered performance, and the limitless potential of a healthy, compassionate lifestyle.
Vegan Living, Advocacy & Movement
VWR's Social Media Manager and the creator behind @ThatVeganAngel. Angel leads workshops spanning setting boundaries with non-vegan friends and family, finding your authentic voice as an advocate, and all-levels yoga and somatic movement designed to release stored tension and reconnect with your body.
Sound Bath & Meditative Sound Journey
Matt Bennett is a Holistic Health Educator who guides people to detoxify the body, quiet the mind, and reconnect with their intuition. After a plant-based lifestyle helped him overcome a lifetime of asthma, eczema, anxiety, and depression, Matt devoted himself to helping others rebuild the connection between body, mind, and spirit.
At Michigan 2027, Matt leads the sound bath — an immersive, meditative journey of resonant tones designed to settle the nervous system, release stored tension, and leave you deeply restored. It's the perfect counterbalance to a week of movement, learning, and connection.
A holistic wellness educator, Matt blends practical health guidance with a grounded, soulful approach to living well.
Yoga, Breathwork & Mindful Movement
Stacey Lynn is VWR's lead yoga instructor — and a genuine crowd favorite. Since first leading our morning practice in 2025, Stacey has become one of the most beloved faces on the retreat, with a warm, all-levels approach that meets every guest exactly where they are — whether it's their very first sun salutation or their thousandth.
An E-RYT 500 Yoga Alliance–certified instructor with more than 15 years guiding others toward wellness, Stacey is the founder of StaceyYoga and the creator of an accessible chair-yoga teacher training that has helped make the practice available to every body. Her teaching pairs mindful movement and breathwork with the same evidence-based, whole-food philosophy that runs through everything at VWR — she's also a licensed Food for Life instructor, a certified Holistic Nutritionist, and holds a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell.
When she's not on the mat, Stacey lives plant-based on an Indiana farm with her husband Kyle, where she runs The Herban Farmacy. At both the Texas and Michigan 2027 retreats, she'll lead daily yoga, breathwork, and mindful movement designed to leave you grounded, open, and reconnected with your body.
Silent Disco, Icebreakers & Speed Dating
Erin McIntosh has been the heartbeat of the fun at Vegan Wellness Retreats since 2025 — running the silent disco, Speed Dating, and the opening icebreaker games that make sure nobody stays a stranger. She's the founder of WOOP Life, and her whole world is sober, plant-based, high-on-life connection: grab a pair of headphones, pick your channel, and dance like nobody's listening. Warm, playful, and impossible not to dance with, Erin is back for both the Texas and Michigan 2027 retreats to help you let loose, open up, and connect.
Your Retreat Host
CF GAinz — aka Najib — is back for 2027 as the Master of Ceremonies at both Vegan Wellness Retreats. If you've been with us before, you already know the deal: when Najib picks up the mic, the whole room lifts. He's the voice that opens each day, hypes the crowd between sessions, keeps the schedule moving, and makes sure nobody's still a stranger by day two.
Equal parts host, hype man, and heart of the room, CF GAinz brings the fun, high-energy vibe that ties the entire week together — introducing speakers, running the socials, and keeping the Vegan Olympics loud. He turns a lineup of events into one unforgettable community.
Back by popular demand at both the Texas and Michigan 2027 retreats. Come ready to move, laugh, and be part of it.
We're bringing in some of the biggest names in plant-based medicine and nutrition science. The kind of speakers you'd pay to see on their own. Full lineup dropping soon — you don't want to miss this.
Secure your Michigan spot →Evidence-based, always. Every VWR speaker is vetted for scientific rigor. Our education programming draws exclusively on peer-reviewed research — not trends, not opinions, not anecdote. That's the VWR standard.
Bring the whole family
Come as a family and actually get your reset. While you're in a workshop or out on the water, your kids are making friends with other plant-based families' kids. More than 30 children joined the Kids Club in both 2025 and 2026 — and 2027 is shaping up to be even bigger. Every Kids Club volunteer is background-checked, so you can drop your kids off and truly switch off.
A full 15 hours a day. Drop off and pick up whenever suits you — from early-morning movement to the late-night silent disco, your kids are covered.
No add-on, no daily fee, no extra cost to parents. Like everything at VWR, the Kids Club is part of the all-inclusive experience.
An on-site playground right here at Timber Wolf Lake, plus a dedicated indoor Kids Club space — rain or shine, whatever the Michigan weather brings.
Single & plant-based? · A VWR tradition since 2024
Every Vegan Wellness Retreat since 2024 has featured our plant-based Speed Dating night — and it's quietly become one of the most-loved evenings on the whole calendar. More than 50 singles took part in both 2025 and 2026, and with 2027 shaping up to be our biggest turnout yet, this could be the year you meet someone who already shares your values. Why wait to find a health-minded partner who eats the way you do, moves the way you do, and lives the way you do?
Speed Dating has been part of every single VWR — three years running. It's not a gimmick; it's genuinely how our community connects.
More than 50 people joined in both 2025 and 2026. With 2027 on track to be our largest retreat yet, expect the biggest room we've ever had.
Speed Dating is pre-registration only — you must sign up here on the site in advance to take part. Spots are limited and fill fast, so don't wait.
Heads up: pre-registration is required to join Speed Dating — you can only take part if you sign up in advance here on the site.
Pre-register for Speed Dating →
We've partnered with Casa de Luz East — one of Austin's most beloved organic, whole-food, plant-based, oil-free kitchens, an institution people drive across Texas for. This isn't catering. We're bringing their kitchen, their chefs, and their standards to the retreat — cooking for every guest, at every meal.
Our head chef, Mario Fabbri, leads the kitchen — with Gabby Martinez, owner of Casa de Luz East, as his sous chef — together cooking five unforgettable days of food for every guest.
Every meal, every day — included with your ticket. Organic, oil-free, 100% whole-food plant-based. Come hungry.
Owner of Casa de Luz East, joining our kitchens at both 2027 retreats as sous chef to head chef Mario Fabbri — cooking for every guest, every day.
And leading the kitchen is our head chef — meet Mario Fabbri ↓
Who's in the kitchen
"I cook vegan food for non-vegans."
Leading the Michigan kitchen is Mario Fabbri — Los Angeles vegan private chef, TEDx speaker, and host of Trying Vegan with Mario, one of the first all-vegan cooking shows to air on cable and Roku.
The son of a Chicago Italian-sausage maker, Mario went fully plant-based after watching a friend transform their health — and never looked back. With 750K+ followers across platforms, he's known for turning everyday vegetables into theatrical, umami-rich dishes that win over even the skeptics. Expect live food demos, big flavors, and meals that feel like an event.
Meet Sal, the Fruit Hunter — the South Florida farmer behind Fruit Hunters and its fruit-obsessed community of 500K+, who spends his life tracking down the rarest tropical fruit on earth. He's the official tropical fruit provider for all 2027 Vegan Wellness Retreats, hand-delivering thousands of pounds of just-picked exotic fruit to each retreat — Texas and Michigan.
Dragon fruit, sapote, jaboticaba, sugar-apple, rare mango varieties — the kind of fruit most people have only ever seen online, picked ripe and shared together at the table. It's the kind of thing almost no other retreat can offer.
Included with every 2027 ticket — no extra charge. Every guest, both retreats. It's already part of your experience.
Between the sessions
This is wellness that gets you outside. When you're not in a talk or at the table, all 900 acres of private lakefront are yours to play in.
Private-lakefront swimming, inflatables, and beach activities all day long.
A lakeside zip line, a full ropes course, and archery across 900 private acres.
Campfires, lawn games, and evening socials right by the water.
The Vegan Olympics are coming back to Michigan 2027 at Timber Wolf Lake — our most legendary tradition, returning in full force. Over 40 competitors went head-to-head at the 2026 Vegan Olympics, and with the retreat running in both Michigan and Texas next year, we’re expecting our biggest turnout yet.
Pull-ups, feats of strength, and all-out friendly competition — the Vegan Olympics is the moment the whole retreat gathers to cheer each other on. Whether you're chasing the podium or just here for the roar of the crowd, everyone's welcome to throw down.
Pre-registration is required to compete — and it's open to registered 2027 retreat guests only. Book your ticket first, then lock your division spot; spots are limited.
Open bracket for the guys ready to test their plant-powered strength.
🏆 $50 Visa® eGiftThe ladies' bracket — grit, power, and a whole lot of cheering.
🏆 $50 Visa® eGiftProof that plant-strong has no age limit — a division all its own.
🏆 $50 Visa® eGiftDeadlift & bench press are scored by weight-to-bodyweight ratio — so every body competes on a level playing field.
The male and female winner in each division — Men's, Women's, and 55 & Over — takes home a $50 Visa® eGift card. Bragging rights included.
The Venue
We take over all of Timber Wolf Lake — 900 acres of northern woods on a private lake in Lake City, Michigan, with no other guests. This is where the original VWR began. Cabins, a lakefront, a dining hall, and adventure everywhere: a lakeside zip line, ropes course, archery, and swimming. Explore the grounds below: on desktop, hover to magnify; on any device, tap the map to open it full-screen and pinch to zoom.
Timber Wolf Lake · Lake City, MI · September 7–11, 2027
Stay your way
General Admission gets you the full retreat. Then choose your on-site lodging below — from shared dorms to premium suites. Lodging is first-come, first-served and often sells out before GA.
Budget-friendly shared lodging — the easy, social choice.
Your own retreat-within-a-retreat — reserves quickly.
Space for the whole family — kids and grandparents included.
The most comfortable, private accommodations on the property.
Lodging is confirmed at registration based on live availability. Payment plans are available on both General Admission and accommodations.
General Admission
Full access to all 5 days of speakers, workshops, fitness classes, cooking demos, community events, waterfront activities, and Timber Wolf Lake amenities.
🌿 Flexible cancellation — full refund (less a $50 fee) up to 90 days before your retreat
Optional travel add-on
Roundtrip shuttle between the airport and Timber Wolf Lake, booked separately from your ticket. Seats are limited and the bus closes automatically once it's full.
Book your retreat ticket first, then reserve your bus seat here. Your exact departure details arrive in your booking confirmation.
Real guests · real transformation
"This was one of the most welcoming communities I've ever been a part of. Every meal exceeded my expectations, the speakers were incredibly inspiring, and I left with lifelong friends. I already booked for 2027!"
"I came to the retreat hoping to improve my health, but I left with so much more. The speakers were world-class, the food was absolutely incredible, and the sense of community was unlike anything I've ever experienced. I already can't wait for next year!"
"I've attended wellness events before, but nothing compares to this. Every detail was thoughtfully planned—from the movement classes and workshops to the delicious meals and family-friendly atmosphere. It truly felt like a vacation with purpose."
"What stood out most to me was the people. Everyone was welcoming, encouraging, and genuinely excited to be there. I made friendships that I know will last for years, and it reminded me how powerful a community can be."
"Between the inspiring presentations, fun activities, beautiful setting, and incredible food, this retreat exceeded every expectation I had. I came home feeling healthier, more motivated, and excited to continue my plant-based journey. I booked my spot for 2027 before I even left!"
"I've never been surrounded by so many positive, health-minded people in one place. From sunrise workouts to evening conversations, every moment left me feeling inspired. This retreat has become something I'll look forward to every year."
"The speakers were phenomenal. I walked away with practical information that I could immediately apply to my health and my family's lifestyle. Every presentation was engaging, evidence-based, and incredibly motivating."
"I was amazed at how much was included. Delicious meals, fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, outdoor activities, incredible lectures, and plenty of time to relax and connect with others. It was worth every penny."
Moments from the retreat
Food, friendship, movement, and the kind of days you don't forget. Tap any photo to explore.
Book with confidence
Cancel on or before June 9, 2027 for a full refund, less a $50 nonrefundable cancellation fee.
Split into manageable monthly payments — no credit check, no interest. Reserve your spot the easy way.
Get an immediate confirmation email with your official 2027 Michigan VWR tickets the moment you register.
Join the crew
We're bringing on a limited crew of volunteers for VWR Michigan 2027. Work one 4–5 hour shift a day — kitchen, childcare, or smoothie bar — and receive 50% off General Admission plus a volunteer dorm. It's the best way to live the retreat while giving back to the community.
Limited spots · applications reviewed on a rolling basis
VWR Michigan · September 7–11, 2027
VWR 2026 Michigan sold out more than a month before it began. 150+ guests have already secured their spot at each of our two 2027 retreats, and rooms here are going the same way — don't wait.
Questions? Call or text (231) 409-0002 · info@veganwellnessretreats.com
