The 'My Finest Life' Retreat
Real change does not happen by chance - it happens when you transform your mental health and create a life you love.
Next retreat: 12-14 March 2027
Are you finding each day a struggle? Navigating change, feeling stuck, or simply wanting more love and joy? Are you seeking greater clarity, confidence, peace and purpose?
Facilitated by Christine Bagley-Jones, a psychologist with 25+ years of experience, author of the best-selling book 'Creative Connections' and founder of Brisbane counselling practice Plenish Mind Health, the 3-day 'My Finest Life' Retreat invites you to reflect and connect with what truly matters most in a supportive and inspiring environment.
What awaits you
Together, we will create a safe, non-judgemental environment where you can slow down and tap into honest self-reflection. You will learn practical tools for calming your mind, building emotional resilience, deepening relationships and approaching life with more courage, self-compassion and enthusiasm.
You will...
... understand what matters most to you at this stage of your life
... explore your natural strengths, and the values that will act as your personal compass
... learn simple reset practices to gain peace and start living intentionally
... gain a clearer understanding of who you are, what you stand for, and the direction you need
... learn about neuroplasticity and powerful tools to overcome unhelpful thinking patterns
... strengthen meaningful relationships, built through trust, empathy and love
... integrate your insights and convert them into meaningful actionable goals
... learn how to stay connected to yourself and others after the retreat
Leave with a strong personal roadmap, a deeper sense of self, and simple strategies you can continue to use every day. Be captivated by your life.
This retreat is perfect for you if you …
... feel overwhelmed, stressed, or burnt out
... are seeking direction and fresh goals
... long for deeper relationships
... are craving more peace
... are looking for effective practices that support your nervous system
... need a total shake-up
... want to grow your confidence and self worth
... simply want a beautiful long weekend dedicated to your wellbeing (including yoga, meditation, nourishment, growth and a lot of fun)
No experience is needed. All practices are guided with care and extensive experience.
Meet your teacher
Christine Bagley-Jones,
Christine Bagley-Jones, best-selling author of Creative Connections, is a psychologist, media commentator and founder of Plenish Mind Health, a Queensland-based psychology practice. She has spent over 25 years working within the mental health and wellbeing space.
With a non-judgemental style steeped in compassion, emotional insight, and practical strategies, her work focuses not only on alleviating distress but also on helping people cultivate a more meaningful, connected, and fulfilling life.
Christine is the resident psychologist on ABC Radio National and a respected voice in Australian media on topics relating to modern psychology.
Her approach is described as warm, grounded, knowledgeable, and humorous. She explores the emotional narratives that shape people’s inner lives—the stories we carry about love, worthiness, belonging, shame, identity, and connection. In interviews, she consistently advocates for people to discover what their Finest Life looks like. She then makes it her mission to help them achieve it.
Recently, Christine launched her podcast 'Finding the U in Mum' which explores personal experiences around managing motherhood while preserving one's identity and own growth journey.
A defining influence on Christine’s professional approach has been her advanced training with internationally renowned researcher and author Brené Brown, whose groundbreaking work on shame, vulnerability, courage, and wholehearted living has transformed conversations around mental health and emotional resilience worldwide. Christine is a certified facilitator in Brené Brown’s work, undertaking specialised training in methodologies focused on empathy and courage. This training deeply informs Christine’s therapeutic philosophy and retreat facilitation style.
In her spare time, Christine adores spending time with her five children and husband, especially in the outdoors by the beach. She’s currently completing her certification to be a yoga instructor and working on her second book.
Course Schedule
Day 1 (Friday)
2:30pm - Welcome introductions, the 5Cs, VAAT Profiles & Values Light the Way
6:15am - Dinner
8:30pm - Free time / rest
Day 2 (Saturday)
7:30am - Yoga stretches
8:30am - Breakfast
9:30am - Brain Change & Neuroplasticity, Mindfulness & Celebratory Living
Morning Tea
Brené Brown's Daring Way: Relationships & Boundaries
12:30pm - Lunch break
2pm - Empathy, Self-compassion & Vulnerability
Afternoon Tea
Shame resilience + Wholehearted Living
6:15pm - Dinner
8:30pm - Free time / rest
Day 3 (Sunday)
7:30am - Yoga stretches
8:30am - Breakfast
9:30am - Aspiration-Identification, Goal setting
Morning Tea (check-out and bring bags out of rooms)
Visualisation exercise
12:30pm - Lunch break
2pm - Overall Wellbeing: Physical health (novel ways to move and stay moving), Healthy eating, Sleep
Personal Pledge
DOSE (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Seretonin, Endorphins)
Wrap up and goodbyes
Accommodation options
Krishna Village is located on a beautiful organic farm in the scenic foothills of Mt. Warning, half way between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. The closest town is Murwillumbah, and the nearest airport Coolangatta (the Gold Coast airport).
Our Retreat Center is spread out across a beautiful natural farm setting, which means that some of our facilities and accommodation require a bit of walking. We offer a range of accommodation options from camping spots to creatively renovated container rooms, private pine cabins set in the hills overlooking the valley and more.
Make your booking
Early Bird Discount: Save $200 if you book 6+ weeks prior to course start
The rates below include: tuition, 3 meals/day + snacks and the accommodation of your choice for 3 nights.
You are welcome to add further nights during the booking process, and include the weekend before and/or after the course.
Commuter: AU $1330 (meals included, but no room) (AU $1130 Early Bird)
Camping (tent): AU $1376 (AU $1176 Early Bird)
Camping (van): AU $1390 (AU $1190 Early Bird)
Budget Room: AU $1450 OR AU$1405 each (2 people) (AU $1250 Early Bird or AU $1205 each)
Cottages: AU $1490 (AU $1290 Early Bird)
Lotus Pod Queen Rooms: AU$1490 (1 person) OR AU$1415 each (2 people) (AU $1290 early bird or AU $1215 each)
Bhakti Guesthouse Rooms (With Ensuite): AU $1598 OR AU $1469 (2 people) OR AU $1426 (3 people) (AU $1398 early bird OR AU $1269 each for 2ppl, OR AU $1226 each for 3ppl)
Cabin (self-contained): AU $1598 or AU $1469 (2 people) (AU $1398 or AU $1269 Early Bird)
Payments - We require a $600 deposit to hold your spot in the course. The full payment is due no later than your arrival day.
Before booking, please have a look at our Code of Conduct and our Terms and Conditions. If you are dealing with any physical or mental health issues, please also check our 'Are you ready' page.
Choose your date below to make your booking
Please note: On your arrival day, the retreat begins at 1pm. For an extra relaxed experience, you have the option to add a night before or after, so you can enjoy the farm atmosphere incl. classes and wellness centre for as long as you like. On the final day, we conclude at 4pm.
Delicious vegetarian food
During the retreat, you will enjoy 3x delicious vegetarian meals daily, from vegan kitchari, porridge, and fresh fruits for breakfast, to vegetable curry with rice or flatbreads, and heartier dishes for lunch & dinner.
Our menu is both mouthwatering and nutritious. Between meals, tasty snacks and beverages will be served to keep you energised and focused. We take delight in filling your senses and your belly as we move through this meaningful journey together. Mealtimes are also the perfect opportunity to mingle and get to know the other guests; ask Christine and the team any questions or simply take a moment for some peaceful alone time. The choice is yours.
If you have any specific dietary needs, you are welcome to use the Krishna Village community kitchen to prepare your meals.
The Krishna Farm
The Krishna Farm "New Govardhana" serves as an ashram to a community of yogis who aspire to live according to their deepest vows and commitments on their path of service, spiritual contentment and happiness (Bhakti Yoga). Their service and dedication make this location a beautiful place of growth, healing and spiritual awakening. The temple is the beating heart of the community at New Govardhana and we encourage all who visit the property to come along and experience the lifestyle and philosophy reflected by the practice of Krishna consciousness.
