TESTIMONIALS

"My fondest holiday memories growing up were all about outdoor activities and adventure. I might be older now (36) but haven’t grown out of wanting those same things! No longer will I have to struggle with the boredom of a conventional holiday and have already booked onto my second Mad to Live retreat. The company, activities, environment and food exceeded expectations on every level, I have made some great friends and wonderful memories. Thank you Sophie!."
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Costa Rica Retreat
Victoria Pendleton (CBE), UK

“What an adventure is has been with the most amazing group of international women. I started my journey wit the intent for just a good time in the sun and I left Morocco with a new sense of power, love, confidence, strength and excitement for life. Thank you so much everyone for the support, love and encouragement to continue to be the fierce woman, wife and momma. I leave not sad that it is over, but empowered to push myself to be a better person inside and out…”.

Morocco Retreat, Sara Mae, USA

“Having never travelled like that on my own....it was truly such a pleasant surprise & bonus to meet …such a wonderful group of ladies. From nowhere, a real sense of support for each other flourished. I guess this is no surprise for you but what a joy for me. For the first time in my life I found myself on the receiving end of the banter/humour...& out of my comfort zone in many ways....& yet connected to these characters in such a way that nothing matters but belly laughing & enjoying the moment…” - Portugal Retreat Katherine, UK

"Mad To Live has changed my life in so many ways and I can’t even express what an amazing time I’ve had... on all my retreats."

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Portugal Retreat
Jess, USA - 3 Retreats in one year!

"I rocked up not knowing how much my body would be able to take…and left knowing there’s no limits to what’s possible...confidence sky high and buzzing! Mad to live has accelerated getting adventure back in my life like crazy – cannot imagine a better way to have managed this. Add in non-stop laughter, new friends for life, phenomenal views, amazing food – perfection right there babes!"
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Portugal Retreat
Nikki, UK, 4 Retreats in 1 Year!

“My highlight was the surfing for sure, I thought the way the sessions were organised were just the right amount of time, when I look back I can’t believe how far I had come in 5 days! I wanted to get to a point where I wasn’t a total beginner at surfing so I had a solid base, and I definitely think I did, especially looking at the pictures from the final day – never thought I would be surfing on those waves by the end of the week!”

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Morocco Retreat
Lauren, UK

“This is to all the girls that support each other at every step of the way. I genuinely wouldn’t have been able to overcome my fears if it wasn’t for them. Huge 💗 and shout out"…”

Costa Rica Retreat, Akiko, UK

"I had the best time EVER! (I am missing those post surf doughnuts!) When can I book the next one??!!"
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Morocco Retreat
Captain Elissa Davies, UK

"For me, in all honesty, the people we met, the new experiences we faced together, the honesty, the new friendships, and the opportunity the retreat gave each and everyone os us to be completely vulnerable with a group of strangers, all like minded and genuine, was absolutely life changing. It reminded me how resilient I am as a woman, more importantly though that I want to live my entire life Mad To Live".
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Portugal Retreat
Kat, UK

"Having the opportunity to meet new incredible women from all over the world. Making huge progress and gaining confidence in my surfing skills."

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Portugal Retreat
Courtney, New York

"I totally fell in love with surfing. It’s given me goals for my fitness and strength, but also opened up a new areas of interest."

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Portugal Retreat
Nicola, UK

"We rode, ran, swam, surfed, hiked, biked, bended, stretched, jumped, and it all made us feel PUMPED! I think the best thing about it all - as well as being able to do it all in nature, was the fantastic, unbeatable feeling of physical capability".
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Portugal Retreat
Poppy, UK

"The food was INCREDIBLE & I loved that I was able to maintain all of my healthy eating habits throughout my entire vacation, without feeling like I was missing out on substance. I had the most amazing time on this retreat & would absolutely do it again in a heartbeat!"
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Portugal Retreat
Lissette, New York

"It was my best week ever... I came in with “nothing” and I went out full of good memories and endless friendship!"
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Portugal Retreat
Sara, Spain

"I stood up on way more waves than I could have ever imagined! Soph is the raddest chick possible to be around when adventuring and exploring new and exciting activities. Aside from being a bad ass all around athlete herself, she empowers all around her, espeically women, to strive for more and achieve all their goals, physically and mentally. She should add “Life Coach” to her resume." }
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Portugal Retreat
Lucy, Rhode Island

"Highlights? Oh my god. E.v.ery.Thing! The wonderful women I met, the surfing, the rock climbing...the food, the atmosphere. The support from you and the other girls...everything!"

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Costa Rica Retreat
Stephanie, UK

“One of the best holidays I have ever had. See you in Costa Rica!!”
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Portugal Retreat
Jenny, UK

“The highlights? Surfing, the general atmosphere and kindness and friendliness of the organizers & other participants, and of course, Rachel's wonderful meals!”
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Portugal Retreat
Daliana, Switzerland

"Sophie my love, you inspire women to be powerful and united...This experience shaped me in ways I never thought possible. In a way, I came to Portugal fearful and left fearless. I can’t thank you enough for daring to create such an amazing thing. "
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Portugal Retreat
Nastazia, Cyprus

“We all have expectations however much we may try not to in fear of disappointment. I had an expectation of what I thought Mad to Live would be like but it over delivered ten fold. Slick and yet laid back, friendly, organised, well paced but the real shining stars were the team you have, who with yourself deliver something exceptional. It’s true life amazing what you have created… A bunch of strangers thrown together bringing along with them baggage, a selection of varying expectations and values but mostly the need to connect and have a good time. Although I go home with a peeling nose and several more bruises than I came with I also go home with some new amazing friends, an unexpected tattoo and memories I will cherish forever….”

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Portugal Retreat, Remy, UK

"Meeting all those well-traveled women inspired me to be less fearful of solo-travel. Which in turn has allowed me to become more comfortable with spending time by myself... more than comfortable, I embrace my alone time now which is something I was never ok with before. I also had a huge fear of big waves before, that fear has diminished and has been replaced with a new found love of waves and surfing them!!! This retreat was the beginning of me learning so much about myself that I had never realized before!!"
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Morocco Retreat
Ashley, USA

"I didn’t have any goals or expectations, I was truly coming for the adventure. I’ve taken away so much more from this retreat than I could have ever imaged, and I am so grateful for this opportunity! "
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Morocco Retreat
Ali, USA

“A perfect week of surfing, yoga, climbing, horse riding and inspirational girl time. We’ve supported and pushed eachother to conquer our fears and achieved so much more as a group than the sum of our parts…”

Costa Rica Retreat, Feng, UK

"For me this was an excersise in pushing myself out of my comfort zone and being more open to new challenges with new people. Box massively ticked...You have such a lovely team of people who clearly go above and beyond to accommodate everyone. I would recommend to any of my friends to go on one of your retreats. I had such a fun time. "
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Portugal Retreat
Charlotte, UK

"Each activity was unreal, and I like to think I threw myself at it with everything I had. Things that I might accomplish in the space of a year, never mind a week. Bucket list halved in such a short space of time!"
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Portugal Retreat
Bec, UK

"Highlights? Meeting all the rad babes! The house was lovely and cannot forgot the food cooked by Rachel which really made the trip. Of course learning to surf! The instructors where really helpful and fun!"

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Portugal Retreat
Holly, UK

"One of my favourite things about the retreat was the people who took part, all very different and very similar at the same time. All with amazing, different stories to tell each other. We had a lot to learn from each other and all supported each other massively. Another highlight of the retreat was being able to try new fitness techniques. Whether it was different ways to train parts of your body or trying something completely different, for me boxing. Which I have now taken up - SHOUTOUT TO YOU SOPHIE FOR THE AWESOME EYE OPENER!!"

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Portugal Retreat
Lily, Portugal

"Being in the water with Sophie E was just so good - constantly being fed little corrections and bits of advice was so beneficial. The retreat also kick started my health and fitness regime and has motivated me to keep up that level of fitness activities and reminded me of the joy of keeping fit and doing awesome outdoors activities!"
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Portugal Retreat
Carly, SurfGirl Magazine, Cornwall

"Thank you so much, you chicks are amazing and gave me so much more than a ‘holiday’"
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Portugal Retreat
Fiona, Ireland

“You looked after us all beautifully, and from the moment I arrived I felt so relaxed…You made the week the perfect mix of wonderful madness and relaxation, and no matter whether anyone was on a wave or being barrelled by one, here were always smiles all round!”

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Portugal Retreat
Mills, UK

"The retreat was a really amazing experience."
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Portugal Retreat
Claire, Ireland

"I loved the house vibes, felt like we all just lived together!!"
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Portugal Retreat
Emma, New Zealand

"There are moment's in life that really shape you, this was truly one of them...Highlights? Meeting 4 incredible women I now want to see every year!".
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Costa Rica Retreat
Carly, UK