Catharina Hedberg is the co-founder of the legendary Ashram, a boot camp retreat, nestled in the Santa Monica hills of Calabasas. Originally from Sweden, Cat and her business partner (the late Anne-Marie Bennstrom) opened The Ashram in 1974 decades before the boot camp concept became popular. Almost 50 years later, it continues to book out months in advance, welcoming both new visitors and return guests. Cat has created an environment for nurturing the mind, body and soul through yoga, hiking, farm-to-table community meals and simplicity.

In today’s episode, Cat shares her philosophy with Melissa. She discusses how her childhood influenced her approach, the necessity of nature and how she strives to meet the needs of every individual who stays at the Ashram. She also discusses the latest weight loss fad: ozempic and shares her thoughts on the drug. With contagious joy and enthusiasm, she dives into the exciting future of wellness tourism. She reveals how the Ashram continues to expand around the world with retreats in Mallorca, Iceland, the Camino de Santiago and Japan.

To learn more about The Ashram and the wellness practices discussed in today’s episode, see below:

Activities at The Ashram include hiking, yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, massages, gym sessions, pool volleyball, spending time in nature and more.

Guests can enjoy mindful meals, incorporating farm-to-table cuisine, whole foods, and vegetarian ingredients.

The Ashram hosts seasonal retreats to Mallorca, Iceland, and the Camino de Santiago.

To honor The Ashram’s 50th anniversary, journeys will be offered to the Camino de Santiago along the Portuguese route, as well as to Kumano Kodō, a Japanese pilgrimage.

If you’re looking to try some of The Ashram’s recipes, keep an eye out for the restock of The Ashram’s cookbook: The Ashram: The Way We Eat.