2:13 PM, October 14, 2016. Frustrated I didn’t see the link to purchase tickets, I began to get discouraged. Fran said it would be up, but I was frantically checking, and nothing was there. I went about my day as normal. "If I miss this, I’m going to cry." is all I kept saying to myself.

If you aren’t familiar with Francheska aka HeyFranHey, she is the epitome of beauty, grace, and humbleness.  Fran is 1/3 of ‘The Friend Zone’, one of the most amazing Podcasts out right now. Her work found me way before that divine intervention took place. All of the amazing wellness and self-care videos she created on YouTube (Which we miss so much) is what captured a lot of people’s attention.

Finally, the link is posted, but I was driving. Just my luck, I’m going to miss it. I was on the 405 Freeway, doing 75 MPH. My heart was heavy, I just knew I wouldn't get a spot.  I pulled over and proceeded to make my purchase. When the email confirming my spot came in, it was such a breath of fresh air. I pulled off, feeling excited and pumped. Suddenly, my phone goes off. A message from my oldest Niece’s Mom, aka Sissy was coming through . She's also a huge supporter of Fran. She was sending me the link, and wished me luck on obtaining a spot. I suddenly felt gloom, the excitement had left. Sissy was experiencing a lot in her life and always knew how to smile through it. Since launching the Genuine Gemini, she's been so excited and proud of all my accomplishments, one of my biggest supporters.   Replying to her that I purchased my ticket already didn’t feel good.. While she was overjoyed, genuinely happy, I was sad. We had conversations about the Wellness Retreat before and she felt the ticket price would be more than she could handle. I asked her if she wanted to go, and she respectfully declined. Instantly, I pulled back over and purchased her ticket as well. The gloom I was feeling was gone. Sissy couldn’t be happier, and I was immensely full of joy.  We both got spots, and were going to experience this together, days before her 31st Birthday. 

Day 1

So many emotions came over me. As a divorced woman, you work hard at balancing out emotions of your past and just trying to remain in forward motion. When they announced the retreat was going to be about “Relationships”, I thought great, here we go.  The location was beyond perfect, and I could definitely tell was handpicked by this group of amazing leaders. Some of the requirements was to bring a journal, yoga mat, and water. Yoga mat??? I don’t do Yoga, I’m too big for it. Sissy purchased us matching Yoga outfits and mats. No turning back now right?  We arrived early, and I remember thinking, there are going to be at least 150 Woman here to be blessed.  Let me not think Fran’s energy is going to be anywhere close to me, just prepare for whatever, and get through these 2 days. I turned into a rebel, fighting my higher self’s yearning for this experience. At this point it was more for Sissy, who was bright eyed bushy tail excited about it all. As a Gemini woman, I completely get immersed in seeing others have joy. Being early has its benefits, but can be overwhelming also. Fran, Hasnaa and Yeradmi pulled up, and I freaked out. “OMG, OMG. That’s Fran, OMG” She was stunningly beautiful and just a beam of light. They were carrying Whole Food Bags inside. To be honest, I  felt like the woman who currently  has a national campaign with Express,  is all over HBO’s social media with her hit podcast ‘Insecuritea”, touring and still recording ‘The Friend Zone’ would be wooshed in through some back entrance, to avoid autographs, pictures, ETC. Nope, Fran was carrying grocery bags into the venue. That moment alone was completely humbling. I was still in shock, but knew it wasn’t the time to STAN out for her. She walked in and immediately starting hugging and asking everyone if they were ok. At this point I only saw about 30 women. All secluded and clearly nervous. I thought, how rude, you don’t be late for Fran, where are the other 120 people?  

We were cleansed with Palo Santo (Listen to the Friend Zone, you’ll get it) and the retreat began. It was then I realized, wow, this is it. It was going to be this personal, and this intimate. I’m literally feet away from Fran, who just cleansed me with Palo Santo, this is not real life.

Yoga started and I cried, I was in so much pain, and overwhelmed with embarrassment. Suddenly Yeradmi came over and worked with me directly, easing my pain, and assisting me throughout poses. I couldn’t believe how much attention I was getting.  After Yoga, we dined on a wonderful Vegan/Vegetarian meal that I thought I would hate. I’m a foodie, so I’m thinking, “Where’s the Pizza and wings?” That meal was beyond amazing, so amazing I went back for seconds (Don’t judge me, judge yourself LOL).  The heavy work begin in our “Sister Circle” lead by Fran. We all offered various perspectives and ideas of what healthy relationships feel like and look like. We discussed the concept of forgiving and what stages we were at in our forgiving.  Breaking into groups was fun. All of this helped bring clarity to what I want to do with my Genuine Gemini overall. It’s more than just a way to bring awareness, it’s more than just talking to people, it’s about helping others do the work they don’t feel they can do. Work I felt was impossible for me to do. So many of the Sisters in the group were so tired, so depleted of the negative stigma relationships have brought their lives. Fran even shared how her acts of being a “Savage” caused her to really transform her life to what it is today. Breaking the code that infects us all so silently and deadly.  Hasnaa was so powerful and beyond enlightening. What a treat!  What she offered to the group was so much clarity, practice of discipline and peace. Aside from her warmth, she knows energy, and knows how to help you break down the barriers. Understanding the work, doing the work, creating your own timeline was the premise of her discussion. We ended with guided mediation. Being from Inglewood, you learn to have a tough exterior. We shattered all of that. Random women approached me asking for hugs, wanting to give strength, encouragement and just spread love throughout the room. I was overwhelmed with appreciation, but so happy to see it happening. It scared me honestly. My evening was very quiet. I didn’t really want to speak much, just listen to internal thoughts. Internalize all of the messages I received.

Day 2

I woke up feeling very sick. Then I was enraged with anger. Sissy and I waited until the very last minute to get ready. When we arrived, I was not feeling it. I already wanted to leave. Fran walked in, hugged me, and asked me if I was doing ok. I guess she could feel my energy. I told her no, I was sick, and don’t know what happened. She explained when doing work like this, its normal to feel the way I did. You are detoxing your body. She hugged me again and told me it was going to be a great day 2, and her accuracy was impeccable. Yoga was better. Right before we started, they gave us all an opportunity to talk about injuries or things they should be aware of.  I addressed my concerns of being heavier and feeling discouraged, and the support I got from the group was amazing. Everyone began telling me, “Girl, you weren’t the only one, I was struggling also”. Immediately the smile on my face was so hard to disappear. My introvert tendencies kicked into overdrive however, and because I was so effected behind yesterday’s activities, I didn’t want to speak to anyone about it. New faces were there, and I felt uncomfortable sharing. Then, I was approached by a Sister who was there for Day 1. She hugged me and whispered, “Please keep releasing, I need your strength, we need your strength.” I couldn’t take how overpowering the spirit and energy was in that room. Our Sister Circle  was geared towards understanding what Soulmates are and how to attract the correct ones.  The way this discussion went should truly be in Universities across the World. We dug deep and came out with strong understanding. Soulmates don’t always need to be romantic. Truly look around at your peers, family, and friends, and see how many soulmates you are connected with.

I’m genuinely proud of these ladies for creating a space like this. We were all blessed and fortunate to experience. I’m so excited for their 10 City tour. I will definitely be at the one closest to me. I told Fran I'll still be stalking her and will be in attendance for the Dominican Republic one, God willing. 

Personally, as a creator, I’ve been discouraged a lot lately. Not feeling good enough, feeling like people are doing things similar to many ideas I have and when ready to launch, I would be challenged. Feeling powerless and just overall down. The main take away I received from this Retreat, aside from the amazing mental and energy work regarding relationships was, continue to be who you are, because the World needs you.

Yeradmi hugged me, and I told her how amazing she was, how inspired I was and how beautiful her spirit was. She said something so life altering, I’m getting chills as I type it, “You only recognize those things in me, because they already exist in you, continue to acknowledge the awesome things in others, because they are the awesome things you possess, go do amazing things.”

Fran, Hasnaa, Yeradmi,

Thank you for your spirit, thank you for your hard work, and thank you for giving me a safe place to witness positive uplifting, spirits evolving, and healthy mental work being accomplished. I speak for every woman in the retreat when I say it was marvelous, and truly needed. God Bless you all. I’ll see you soon.

I encourage anyone reading this to try to attend the next retreat. Please follow them on their social media’s and send them so much love and abundance. Well deserved. 

 Be Love,

Brittney ‘Genuine Gemini’ Baker

FRAN

TWITTER:                          @heyfranhey

INSTAGRAM:                     @heyfranhey

EMAIL:                               fran@heyfranhey.com

HASNAA

TWITTER:                           @thatgirlhas

INSTAGRAM:                     @ vibrationalmedicine

EMAIL:                               hasnaa.tauhidi@gmail.com                        

YERADMI

TWITTER:                           @yeragomes

INSTAGRAM:                     @yeragomes

EMAIL:                               info@yeradmi.com