Retreat Summary
You didn’t quit drinking to sit in the back row of your own life. You quit to show up, be present, be curious, and finally start paying attention.
Cover Story is a four-day retreat for The Sober Curator community: the sober, the sober curious, and everyone in between who’s ready to feel like the main character again. Part creative escape (part girls’ and guys’ trip), part total reset—this is where you slow down, get dressed up, get your photo taken, and remember what it feels like to be fully present in your own life.
No preaching. No deprivation. Just proof that sober living looks and feels better than you think.
Slow Down, Then Show Up
Between the sound healing and the sunrise walks, you’ll have real space to rest, reflect, and reconnect with yourself and with a room full of people who get it. This retreat blends genuine downtime with a few playful, confidence-building moments: a costume outing, a professional photo shoot, a podcast conversation you’ll actually remember.
You’ll leave with new friends, a few beautiful photos of yourself looking like you (just the best version), and a nervous system that finally got to exhale.
Is this Retreat for you?
IF ANY OF THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU, SAVE YOUR SEAT.
You're Sober or Sober Curious
You're rethinking your relationship with alcohol and want to spend four days around people who already have.
You Want Real Connection
You want to be around your kind of people - the ones who don't need a drink to have the best night of their lives.
You Need a Reset
You're craving quiet mornings, sound healing, and a schedule with nowhere urgent to be.
You're Ready for Your Close-Up
You want a professional photo shoot and headshot that finally looks like the you that shows up in real life.
You Like to Make Things
Bracelets, journal pages, an afternoon at a local art market - you're a hands-on kind of person.
Meet Alysse Bryson
Alysse Bryson is a media executive, cultural commentator, and the Founder and Publisher of The Sober Curator — the entertainment-first platform that’s redefined what sober pop culture looks like. With 20+ years sober and a career spanning magazine publishing (Seattle Met) and NBC affiliate media leadership (KING 5), Alysse has spent two decades proving that alcohol-free living isn’t a limitation — it’s a plot twist that makes the rest of the story better.
She built The Sober Curator’s community from the inside out: on Instagram, on the podcast, and in Backstage (the new private culture club at TSC – think Masterclass, but make it sober.). Now she’s bringing that same “come as you are, leave inspired” energy off the feed and into the desert.
Your Experience
FOUR DAYS, ONE RESORT, ZERO HANGOVERS — HERE'S WHAT'S INCLUDED:
A professional photo shoot on location, including your very own cover-girl (or cover-guy) moment and a headshot you'll actually want to use. Come camera-ready! Each guest gets 30 minutes and up to two outfit changes with Alysse's go-to photographer, the fabulous Barbie Hull. All images will be delivered digitally to each guest before the end of October 2026. Alysse will also be on hand to capture complimentary b-roll of your cover girl or cover guy moment, so you walk away with content from your trip for your socials.
Photographer Outing + Headshots
A professional photo shoot on location, including your very own cover-girl (or cover-guy) moment and a headshot you'll actually want to use.
Costume Outing
Dress up, explore, and have a little fun with the version of yourself you're becoming.
Exploring the Area
Guided outings through Paradise Valley — local finds, shopping, and scenery, at a pace that isn't rushed.
Sound Healing
A guided sound bath to reset your nervous system and settle back into your body.
Morning Walks
Daily sunrise walks to start the day grounded.
Writing & Journaling
Quiet, structured time to write your story down — no audience, just you and the page.
Art Gallery, Makers Market & Bracelet Painting
A local art crawl and hands-on making session, because a good souvenir beats a hangover every time.
Podcast Conversation at the Resort
A relaxed, guided conversation with Alysse and the group; think fireside chat, not a stage. The episode will air on The Sober Curator podcast following the trip. Participation is totally optional.
Shopping
Curated local shopping outings around Paradise Valley.
You'll Leave With
- A few professional photos and a headshot that finally look like you
- Complimentary B-roll content of your trip that can be repurposed for your socials
- New friendships that don’t require a bar to maintain
- A journal full of the thoughts you never had time to write down
- A genuinely rested nervous system
- A little more clarity on your own story
Itinerary
FOUR DAYS OF CONNECTION, REST, AND SONORAN SUNSETS.
Price will increase to $3,499 and $2999 by August 21.
DAY 1
| 3:00 PM | Arrival & Check-In |
| 5:00 PM | Welcome Circle — Meet Alysse & the Community |
| 6:30 PM | Opening Dinner (mocktails included, obviously) |
| 8:00 PM | Set Intentions: What's Your Cover Story? |
DAY 2
| 7:00 AM | Morning Walk |
| 8:00 AM | Coffee & Light Bites |
| 9:30 AM | Costume Outing — Exploring the Area |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:30 PM | Cover Girl/Cover Guy Photo Shoot & Headshots |
| 4:00 PM | Sound Healing |
| 6:30 PM | Group Dinner |
DAY 3
| 7:00 AM | Morning Walk |
| 8:00 AM | Coffee & Light Bites |
| 9:30 AM | Writing & Journaling Session |
| 11:30 AM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Shopping Outing |
| 3:00 PM | Art Gallery, Makers Market & Bracelet Painting |
| 6:00 PM | Podcast Conversation at the Resort |
| 7:30 PM | Group Dinner |
DAY 4
| 7:00 AM | Final Morning Walk |
| 8:00 AM | Coffee & Light Bites |
| 9:30 AM | Closing Circle |
| 11:00 AM | Departures |
Your Venue Destination
Aruna Resort & Villas
Discover a new rhythm of relaxation at Aruna Resort & Villas, an eco-luxury escape nestled between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea on Ambergris Caye. Here, wellness, adventure, and effortless island living come together in a setting designed to restore both body and spirit. Wake with the sunrise over turquoise waters, practice beachside yoga, or set out to explore the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.
Retreat Inclusions & Booking Details
Reserve your spot with a deposit — balance due 30 days before the retreat. Spaces are limited to keep this small, personal, and genuinely connective. Airfare and transfers are not included.
- Single Occupancy
-
$
3,946
--
-
5 Day/4 Night Package includes the following premium services and amenities:
- Roundtrip local flights from Belize International Airport to San Pedro Local Airport
- Personalized Meet & Greet Service upon arrival
- Roundtrip transfers to and from the local airport or water taxi terminal
- Roundtrip boat transfers upon arrival and departure
- Complimentary scheduled boat transfers throughout your stay
- Welcome drink upon arrival
- 4 Breakfasts
- 4 Light Bites (yogurt, fruits, boiled eggs & coffee)
- 2 Dinners at Akasha Restaurant & 1 Off Site Dinner
- 1 – 60 minute massage of choice
- 1 – half day Beach BBQ Lunch – private boat & beach
- Private Area for Meetings/Gatherings
- Complimentary drop-off to Secret Beach during your stay
- Double Occupancy
-
$
2,882
--
-
5 Day/4 Night Package includes the following premium services and amenities:
- Roundtrip local flights from Belize International Airport to San Pedro Local Airport
- Personalized Meet & Greet Service upon arrival
- Roundtrip transfers to and from the local airport or water taxi terminal
- Roundtrip boat transfers upon arrival and departure
- Complimentary scheduled boat transfers throughout your stay
- Welcome drink upon arrival
- 4 Breakfasts
- 4 Light Bites (yogurt, fruits, boiled eggs & coffee)
- 2 Dinners at Akasha Restaurant & 1 Off Site Dinner
- 1 – 60 minute massage of choice
- 1 – half day Beach BBQ Lunch – private boat & beach
- Private Area for Meetings/Gatherings
- Complimentary drop-off to Secret Beach during your stay