Mason: “Tell me what drew you to the ‘SoulRise’ retreat?”
Victim: “They promised life-changing transformation—an escape from my stressful, nine-to-five job. They marketed it as the perfect way to break free, realign, and heal. Plus, it was all about personal growth. The social media posts were filled with testimonials from people claiming their lives had been totally transformed.”
Mason: “And the cost of this transformation?”
Victim: “It was $4,800. This was for lodging, meals, and all the workshops they offered. It seemed like a great deal when you compared it to other retreats.”
Mason: “What happened when you got there?”
Victim: “Honestly, from day one, everything felt off. The retreat was supposed to be held in a luxurious, peaceful space, but the location was nothing like what they showed in the promotional videos. We were staying in a cold, old barn with broken heating. The facilities were bare minimum, and the bathroom was shared with 15 other people. It didn’t even have hot water for showers. It was so uncomfortable.”
Mason: “That’s quite a contrast. What did the workshops entail?”
Victim: “They were a mix of vague, new-age concepts—chakra realignment, journaling, breathwork exercises. Every session felt like a repeat of the previous one. It was the same ‘mindset’ fluff, but nothing tangible or useful was ever offered. I expected to learn something practical, to help with my anxiety, but it was just hours of empty ‘motivation’ talk.”
Mason: “Did any of this feel helpful?”
Victim: “No. Instead, the breathwork exercises triggered my anxiety. I started feeling worse, but I thought it was just part of the process. I didn’t feel supported or guided through anything. There was no real therapist or professional intervention. Just one coach who kept telling us that ‘resistance is normal.’ It didn’t feel healing at all.”
Mason: “How did the coach behave?”
Victim: “He showed up in expensive athleisure clothes, always talking about his own success and how much money he was making. It felt more like a sales pitch than actual coaching. He had these flashy videos about his $10 million business and promised us the same if we followed his teachings. The more he talked, the more I realized it was all about him—never about us.”
Mason: “That’s disturbing. Did you or others try to speak up?”
Victim: “A few of us did. We asked for refunds or at least a better environment to help with the workshops, but every time we raised concerns, we were told we were just resisting our healing. One woman even tried to contact the organizer for a refund after she realized she couldn’t afford it anymore. She was told that the process of healing ‘requires commitment,’ and if she couldn’t commit, she wasn’t ready for the journey.”
Mason: “So they refused to give any refunds?”
Victim: “Exactly. There were these terms and conditions hidden deep in the fine print that essentially waived our right to a refund. The ‘no refund’ policy was pushed on us at the very last minute, after we had already paid. The more we pushed for answers, the more they deflected. It was frustrating.”
Mason: “What happened after the retreat ended?”
Victim: “The coach disappeared. We were told that we would have access to a support group or follow-up calls, but those never happened. He disappeared into the ether, posting photos of his new luxury home on Instagram while we were left feeling stranded. No one was there to help with the supposed ‘aftercare’ that we had been promised.”
Mason: “Have you taken any legal action or tried to seek support?”
Victim: “We were all so emotionally drained by the experience, we didn’t know where to turn. Legal action seemed impossible because they’d covered themselves with those fine-print clauses. We were so busy healing (or trying to heal) that we never even thought about suing. But it was a huge financial loss for us, and I know other people felt the same way. Some of us are still in shock.”
Mason: “Your final thoughts on SoulRise?”
Victim: “It was a scam. They sold us a fantasy that left us emotionally drained and broke. SoulRise sold this idea that we were ‘too broken’ to get better unless we did their retreat, but the only thing I ended up with was a broken bank account. If you want real healing, don’t look for a ‘transformation retreat.’ Look for a licensed therapist or a legitimate coach. The wellness industry is full of scams like this—don’t fall for them.”