About this Retreat
Born and raised in South Shields in the North East of England, David first discovered Ayahuasca in a last ditch attempt to break free from years of crippling anxiety and depression. Coming from a successful business background, he had never even heard of Ayahuasca until a friend suggested sacred plant medicine as a way out of his constant self destructive cycles.
Shortly after drinking the medicine, David quit his corporate career and released himself of the material, financial and egoic crutches that came with it. He headed for the Peruvian Amazon, destined to train under the tutelage of Don Ron Wheelock, The Gringo Shaman.
His calling to work with Ayahuasca was so powerful that in less than 3 years, David went from never having heard of the plant to completing his shamanic training and owning his own retreat in the Amazon jungle.
After over a decade as a practicing healer, David now has many students of his own. Some are still in training whilst others have advanced to become successful practicing shamans, living their true calling as healers helping those in need.
Having gained quite the reputation as a bonafide shaman and curandero (healer) among the Peruvian community in which he lives, local villagers regularly attend David’s ceremonies accompanied by other indigenous shamans - a compliment the Westerner holds close to his heart, endorsing the quality and integrity of his work with these sacred plant medicines.
Debbie Eve's journey to the jungle began long before she grew conscious of it. Although she enjoyed her seemingly ideal career as a graphic designer, she became disillusioned and burned out. Working from home for a decade fostered disconnection which eventually spiraled into depression, hermithood, and daily drinking to "decompress". Anxiety was a constant companion and she perceived every minor challenge as a crisis.
Despite the fact that she became a non-drinker in 2018, the other aspects of her life continued to disintegrate, culminating in a year of deep depression and suicidal ideation. She sought help through other plant medicine modalities and grew the courage to quit the job that had become her fragile identity. But the depression persisted. She had accumulated a small amount of savings and decided she couldn't "die with money in the bank". Before she decided to seriously pursue applying for an assisted suicide clinic in a foreign country, she threw her Hail Mary in the direction of Ayahuasca.
She swiftly fell in love with this sacred master plant, left her life behind in the United States, relocated to the retreat, and refocused her efforts full time on supporting those who seek healing through Ayahuasca and the myriad of medicinal Amazonian plants.
Debbie Eve has found immense joy in organizing retreats (group and solo), managing guest relations, assisting in pre-Ayahuasca coaching, and supporting guests through post-ceremony integration. She is highly empathic to those who have experienced alcohol dependency, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, narcissistic abuse, and parentification as a child. She also facilitates activities at the retreat for our guests to enjoy during their breaks and between ceremonies.
Details of this retreat
At Maya Medicina, we offer life-changing, all-inclusive Ayahuasca retreats designed to support deep healing, personal growth, and spiritual connection. Nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, our retreat center is a safe, supportive space to reconnect with yourself, nature, and the medicine.
We believe healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum—and it doesn’t begin and end with a ceremony. That’s why we guide you through the entire process, from the moment you commit to the moment you return home (and beyond).
We begin with personalized preparation. You’ll receive guidance on how to physically, emotionally, and spiritually prepare for the retreat—through diet, intention setting, and gentle reflection. We’ll also meet with you to discuss your goals, history, and how to get the most from the experience.
You’ll spend your time immersed in nature, unplugged from distractions, and deeply held in a safe, grounded container. A typical retreat includes:
- Ayahuasca ceremonies guided by our highly experienced and masterful shaman, Don David
- Optional plant diets with additional Amazonian medicines to deepen and expand your process
- Daily integration support throughout
- Time for rest, reflection, journaling, and connecting with the natural world
- Nourishing meals prepared in alignment with your dieta
- Comfortable, traditional accommodations and full access to our jungle sanctuary
Don David may also prescribe customized plant medicines based on your specific needs. These master plants work in harmony with Ayahuasca to help address deeper layers of physical, emotional, or energetic imbalance.
After You Leave...
Integration is key. That’s why we don’t disappear once the retreat ends. You’ll receive:
- A 1:1 post-retreat integration session with one of our trained facilitators
- Ongoing access to integration resources and support options
- Invitations to join our integration groups or continued plant work if desired
Flexible stay options available—shorter and extended retreats offered.