ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: ADELE MORRISSETTE

Mountain Trek Alumna, Adele, shows off her moves

After the passing of her husband, Adele Morrissette joined Mountain Trek in Mexico. There, another guest introduced her to ballroom dancing. Adele quickly fell in love with the partner dance, decided to semi-retire, and began competing. Fast forward four and a half years, she’s dancing almost daily, has competed in nearly 40 competitions, and has lost 25 pounds! We caught up with Adele to learn why she chose to come to Mountain Trek, how the program impacted her beyond she could have ever anticipated, and why she thinks Mountain Trek is the best face cream out there:

WHO IS ADELE MORRISSETTE?

I am a semi-retired technology investment banker living in NYC who was suddenly widowed at age 57. I have always exercised, and I have always followed a relatively healthy diet, but a high-stress job requiring frequent travel resulted in a weight gain of about 25 pounds over the course of a decade. When my husband died suddenly at age 61, it caused me to rethink what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. We were a two-career couple without children.

WHAT WAS YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS WHEN SIGNING UP FOR THE HEALTH RETREAT? WHY MOUNTAIN TREK?

About a year after my husband’s death, I decided to take a two-week vacation to focus on reclaiming a healthier and more physical life. I spent the first week at a yoga retreat in Southern California, then spent the second week at Mountain Trek’s program in Mexico. I chose Mountain Trek because I love hiking and the location (Tecate, Mexico, in February) worked well for the time of year. Additionally, the logistics worked.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF MOUNTAIN TREK?

I loved that the program was highly structured, both in terms of the physical activity schedule and the food, which was delicious. I am a morning person and enjoyed the morning yoga followed by an intense hike, with downtime in the afternoon to read and to think. I also liked the small group aspect of the program.

In one of the afternoon workshops, we were asked to journal about things we have wanted to do but have not yet gotten around to, and then share these thoughts with the group. I have always wanted to take formal dance lessons– jazz, ballroom, tango, ballet. A woman in my group piped up and said, “Well, you must come to the Fred Astaire dance studio where I dance–I will make an introduction for you when we return to NYC.” So, I took her up on it.

My one lesson a week then became four lessons a week, then six lessons a week, and then I entered my first competition. That was it. Six months later, I quit my job, began dancing six days a week, and now I compete eight to ten times a year. As a result of the exercise and a new focus, I lost the 25 pounds I gained, and a few more, and I feel so lucky to be able to do this.

Mountain Trek Alumna, Adele, shows off her moves

NOW YOU’VE FOUND YOUR GROOVE WITH DANCE, DO YOU THINK YOU’LL RETURN TO MOUNTAIN TREK?

I do want to return to Mountain Trek soon, mostly to hike in the Appalachians again. Because of Board obligations, family obligations and the dance calendar, I need to plan a year in advance. I really love the hiking/yoga emphasis, and, most importantly, the absolutely beautiful natural environment of the programs. Nothing heals like nature.

AS AN EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN TREKKER, DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MOUNTAIN TREK PROGRAM?

Mountain Trek is not a program for those looking for a spa experience. I have done many of those and enjoyed them. But the Mountain Trek experience is closer to a “boot camp” that can accommodate guests of all ages with a reasonable degree of militancy. You will never catch me at The Ashram–that is way too intense. The Mountain Trek experience is a good compromise. It’s highly structured, and you will work your body, but there is sufficient downtime, a great appreciation of the healing property of the great outdoors, and you will go home with the best complexion you have had since you were 16 years old.

Thanks Adele! We really appreciate you taking the time to sit down with us and share your story. You are a true inspiration!

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below: