The Journey to Secret Sanctuary: A Life of Freedom, Nature & Community
The Moment That Changed Everything
I was 22 when I first saw the world through a different lens. Fresh out of university, I set off on an adventure—eager to explore different ways of living. An internship took me to Gambia, West Africa, and that experience radically changed my life.
I had never met happier people.
The Gambians I lived with had almost nothing—no material wealth, no overflowing closets, no excess. But what they did have was each other. Their communities thrived on support, love, and gratitude. They shared meals, raised children together, and helped one another without question. Every person—young or old—had a role.
And the love they showed me? It was deeper than anything I had ever felt before. More love than I had ever received, even from my own family. That realization shook me.
I returned home knowing one thing for certain:
👉 This is how I want to live.
I wanted a life rooted in community, connection, and self-sufficiency.
Building the Dream, One Step at a Time
Back in Canada, I threw myself into my passion for nature and sustainability. I landed a dream job working with farmers, restoring marginal agricultural land into thriving ecosystems. I rented a huge greenhouse from a neighbour who hadn’t used it in years and grew an abundance of food.
At the same time, I knew I wanted kids—but I wanted to raise them differently. I dreamed of them growing up surrounded by nature, learning through real experiences, exploring forests instead of screens, and being part of a strong, supportive community.
Some of my happiest childhood memories were on my grandparents' farm—playing in the barn, feeding the animals, picking fresh food straight from the garden. I loved helping my dad with whatever needed doing. It made me feel useful. A part of something.
That’s what I wanted to recreate.
A Partnership Built on Purpose
When Nic and I met, it was clear we shared the same vision. We spent a year abroad—volunteering in intentional communities, observing what worked, and learning what didn’t. We discovered that the key to building a thriving community isn’t just land—it’s people.
We needed to attract people with shared values.
But there was one major obstacle: finances.
We had the dream, the knowledge, and the drive—but not the money to buy the land. That’s when Veona, my mom, entered the picture.
She had walked her own path of awakening—leaving a career in the petrochemical industry decades earlier to pursue holistic healing. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the cracks in modern society became impossible to ignore. While visiting us in Edmonton, she said:
“What if we do this together?”
With her support, we secured the land that would become Secret Sanctuary—the first step toward creating the life we had always imagined.
Why This Matters So Much
I love people. I always have.
I love hearing their stories, understanding their perspectives, and learning from them. I believe that we grow the most through relationships and shared experiences.
I love hearing their stories, understanding their perspectives, and learning from them. I believe that we grow the most through relationships and shared experiences.
I also deeply believe in self-sufficiency—within community.
I don’t want to depend on a government or external systems that don’t have my best interests at heart. I want to rely on my neighbours, my friends, my family—because when people care about each other, they show up. It’s much harder to ignore or exploit someone when they’re a real, valued part of your life.
I’ve also become more aware than ever of the systems designed to keep us small, obedient, and dependent. I refuse to play that game.
👉 I want to be free.
Free to choose how I spend my time.
Free to explore the world and experience life fully.
Free to raise my kids in a way that aligns with my values.
And for me, that freedom includes financial self-sufficiency.
Sharing the Dream with Others
I know that not everyone can just drop everything and move off-grid. But I also know that even small changes—more time in nature, a deeper sense of community, a shift toward self-sufficiency—can be transformative.
That’s why we opened Secret Sanctuary to others.
Through our short-term rentals, we invite people to step into this world, to experience a different way of living—one that heals, reconnects, and inspires.
Because this way of life isn’t just for us. It’s for anyone who feels the call.
Here is one of our private forest campsites
For a behind-the-scenes look at our daily life, follow us on Instagram @secret.sanctuary.retreat or TikTok @secret.sanctuary.retreat. We share glimpses of our journey, our land, and the magic of living close to nature.
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Coming Up Next…
In our next blog post, I’ll share how we started generating income from our land—with little upfront investment—and how you can do the same.
If this vision resonates with you, I’d love for you to follow along. Maybe one day, you’ll even visit Secret Sanctuary and experience it for yourself.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you sign up or make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! This helps support our work at Secret Sanctuary, allowing us to continue creating a space for nature, connection, and community. If you choose to sign up through our link, we are so very grateful! 💚
