This is not your typical retreat
Set on breathtaking Texas Hill Country at LoneHollow Ranch — just 90 minutes from San Antonio airport — this is where wellness, connection, adventure, and abundance all come together. We book the entire ranch, so for five days the whole property is ours — no other guests, no crowds. Whether you're fully raw, whole-food plant-based, or just curious, you'll feel right at home.
One of the largest plant-based retreats in the world — guests from all over the world.
Oil-free, WFPB cuisine with raw & cooked options — plus the famous Smoothie + Banana Nice Cream Bar.
Kayaking, canoeing, a zip line into the lake, an inflatable water course, swimming, and scenic trails.
On the property
LoneHollow Ranch · 3,000 private acres of Texas Hill Country — the whole ranch, just us, for five days.
Included at both retreats
What you're stepping into
From sunrise yoga to evening socials, world-class speakers to food demos — do as much or as little as you want.
The 2027 Texas itinerary
We've built the full day-by-day plan for LoneHollow Ranch — every keynote, workout, meal, and late-night. Two or three things run at once, so you pick your own pace and nothing is mandatory.
A taste of the five days — the full plan has it hour by hour.
The filmmaker behind Cowspiracy, What the Health & Seaspiracy — three documentaries that moved millions toward plant-based living — live on the Texas main stage.
Texas 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, and pulled countless viewers toward plant-based living.
At the Texas retreat he’ll deliver a live keynote and a live audience Q&A — plus exclusive screenings of What the Health and Seaspiracy, introducing each film himself, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, and leading a discussion with the room afterward. It’s a rare chance to experience these films alongside the person who made them.
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.
The Weight Loss Champion — Food Addiction & Radical Transformation
Chuck Carroll is one of the most recognizable voices in plant-based health — and living proof of everything this retreat stands for. At 5'6" he once weighed 420 pounds, trapped in a 10,000-calorie-a-day fast-food addiction and convinced he wouldn't see 30. Then he went whole-food plant-based and lost 265 pounds — keeping it off for more than 15 years. An NFL player he was interviewing dubbed him "The Weight Loss Champion," and the name stuck.
Today Chuck is the host of The Exam Room™, the flagship podcast of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine — a 2026 VegNews Veggie Award nominee that ranks in the top 0.1% of all podcasts worldwide, reaching hundreds of thousands of health-seekers alongside Dr. Neal Barnard and the world's leading plant-based physicians. A former sports and news broadcaster for CBS and NBC News Radio, he tells the story of transformation like no one else can.
And he's not just speaking — Chuck will record a live episode of The Exam Room right here at the Texas retreat, putting you in the room where it happens. If you've ever doubted that real, lasting change is possible, this is the session that will convince you.
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-Based Nutrition Science
Drs. Rick and Karin Dina are internationally respected educators, authors, and clinicians dedicated to helping people understand the powerful connection between nutrition, lifestyle, and optimal health. With decades of experience studying and teaching plant-based nutrition, they have inspired thousands of people around the world to embrace a more compassionate, health-focused way of living.
Dr. Rick Dina, D.C. and Dr. Karin Dina, D.C. have devoted their careers to exploring the science behind whole food, plant-centered nutrition and sharing practical strategies that empower people to improve their health and vitality. Through their educational programs, lectures, and clinical experience, they combine scientific research with real-world application to make complex nutrition concepts accessible and actionable.
As leading voices in the plant-based health community, Drs. Rick and Karin Dina have helped educate countless individuals on the benefits of nutrient-rich plant foods, mindful lifestyle choices, and creating sustainable habits that support long-term wellness.
At Vegan Wellness Retreat, Drs. Rick and Karin Dina will share their expertise and passion for plant-powered health, helping attendees deepen their understanding of nutrition, optimize their well-being, and discover the incredible potential of a compassionate 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.
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.
Plant-Based Training & Performance
Plant-based fitness expert bringing real-world training science to the stage — and the panel floor. Joey's sessions are practical, science-backed, and packed with takeaways you can use immediately.
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 Vegan Wellness Retreat, 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.
Authentic Ceremonial Cacao
Neil Ryan Dumra is the founder of Third Eye Cacao and the creator of the Cacao Flavonoid Index (CFI) — a longtime educator devoted to restoring integrity, transparency, and reverence to one of humanity's oldest plant medicines. His work bridges ancient tradition with modern analytical testing, setting new standards for cacao quality through flavonoid profiling, heavy-metal testing, genetics, and regenerative sourcing.
For more than two decades, Neil has explored the meeting point of nutrition, meditation, ecology, and human connection. He believes true wellness begins by rebuilding our relationship with nature — not by consuming more, but by understanding where our food comes from and honoring the ecosystems and people who cultivate it.
Based in Austin, Neil crafts some of the most authentic, pure ceremonial cacao in Texas — and he's bringing it straight to LoneHollow Ranch. In his workshop he'll explore the de-industrialization of cacao: why genetics, biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, fermentation, and post-harvest craftsmanship shape everything you taste and feel. Expect a live cacao experience, an introduction to the Cacao Flavonoid Index, and an invitation to balance, intimacy with nature, and heart-centered connection — a reminder that every choice we make can nourish not only our bodies, but our communities, the land, and the generations to come.
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.
Live Food Demonstrations
Daniel McKinnon brings live food to life at the Texas retreat. In hands-on demonstrations, he builds vibrant, plant-based dishes from whole, fresh ingredients right in front of you — breaking down each technique so you can recreate it long after you head home.
From everyday staples to showstopping centerpieces like the towering three-tier cake he crafted this year, Daniel’s food proves that plant-based can be every bit as beautiful as it is nourishing. Come hungry, leave inspired.
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 spot now →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 LoneHollow Ranch, plus a dedicated indoor Kids Club space — rain or shine, Hill Country weather covered.
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 Texas 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 3,000 acres of Hill Country are yours to play in.
Kayak, canoe, or take the zip line straight into the lake — then cool off on the inflatable water course.
Miles of scenic Hill Country to hike and explore, with the whole private ranch to yourselves.
Campfires, lawn games, and evening socials under the wide-open Texas Hill Country stars.
The Vegan Olympics are coming back to Texas 2027 at LoneHollow Ranch — 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 Texas and Michigan 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 LoneHollow Ranch — 3,000 private acres in Utopia, Texas, with no other guests. Cabins, a lakeside lodge, sport courts and wide-open Hill Country, all yours for the retreat. Explore the grounds below: on desktop, hover to magnify; on any device, tap the map to open it full-screen and pinch to zoom.
LoneHollow Ranch · Utopia, TX · March 18–22, 2027
Stay your way
General Admission gets you the full retreat. Then choose your on-site lodging below — from shared dorms to private king suites. Lodging is first-come, first-served and often sells out before GA.
Rooms are disappearing from this list every week — and once a category sells out, it's gone for 2027. We never add capacity.
Bunk-style with fellow guests — the social, budget-friendly pick.
Your own space to recharge after full days — books up fast.
Room for the whole crew — kids welcome, childcare available daily.
Boutique-style stays for the ultimate in comfort and privacy.
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, cooking demos, community events, outdoor adventures, and LoneHollow Ranch 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 LoneHollow Ranch, 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 Dec 18, 2026 for a full refund, less a $50 nonrefundable cancellation fee.
Split into manageable monthly payments — no credit check, no interest. One of the most popular ways guests reserve.
Get an immediate confirmation email with your official 2027 Texas VWR tickets the moment you register.
Join the crew
We're bringing on a limited crew of volunteers for VWR Texas 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 Texas · March 18–22, 2027
VWR 2026 sold out more than a month before it began. 150+ guests have already secured their spot at each of our two 2027 retreats, and Texas rooms are going the same way. Once tickets are sold, we never expand capacity.
Questions? Call or text (231) 409-0002 · info@veganwellnessretreats.com
