Founders of Nica Retreats, Mike and Megan

Mike spent most of his youth and early adulthood in search of waves. Growing up in Central Florida, he fell in love with surfing while spending most of his childhood summers in New Smyrna Beach. It wasn’t long before he felt the pull to find waves in more exotic locales. After graduating from high school Mike traveled extensively, spending much of his time in California, Mexico, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. His love for Central America began in Costa, but it wasn’t until he made his first surf trip to Nicaragua that he had his existential moment… “this doesn’t have to be just a trip, it can be a life.” While it was the waves that drew Mike to Nicaragua, it was his connection to the people and to the land that kept him there. Mike believes that working together with the locals and their businesses is the best way to create harmony as we assimilate into their culture.

While Mike was catching waves on the east coast of Florida, Megan was growing into the perpetual seeker she would soon become. Born and raised in northern New York, her adventurous spirit and desperate need for sun led her to the east coast of Florida shortly after high school.  While enjoying the change of culture and climate, Megan studied psychology as an undergraduate and completed her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Stetson University in 2004.  It was during this process that Megan began taking yoga classes as a means to find balance while managing graduate work and an emotional career.  After cultivating a personal yoga practice, it wasn’t long before Megan recognized the therapeutic value of yoga, and began incorporating it into her therapy.  She has completed a 200 hr. yoga teacher training and has also received clinical training in yoga therapy.  She believes that by increasing awareness of one’s existence, which can be enhanced through nature, adventure, yoga , and breath work, one can begin to lead a more conscious, and optimal life.  After years of traveling to Nicaragua, and experiencing the, ‘energia spiritual’ of the land, it became clear that this was a place of healing and transformation.  What began as her personal journey, evolved into a calling to use the land to facilitate healing for others.

Together, Mike and Megan bring an enlightening, playful, and adventurous spirit to the concept of retreat. Her background in counseling and holistic healing combined with his love of all things nature, make for a well balanced and integrated Nica experience.

Megan is a licensed psychotherapist in the state of Florida and has worked extensively with individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, body image distortions and emotional imbalances. Furthermore, she is trained in relationship counseling and offers couples retreat packages for those looking to partake on an emotional and intimate journey with their partner.