If you’re ready to improve your pickleball game, enjoy nourishing plant-based food, and connect with an inspiring community—this retreat is for you.
Join me in the red rocks of Southern Utah for several unforgettable days of pickleball, plant-powered meals, and meaningful connection. Surrounded by breathtaking desert landscapes, you’ll spend your days on the court sharpening your skills, sharing incredible meals, and building friendships with others who value movement, health, and community. You’ll leave feeling energized, connected, and inspired to keep the momentum going long after the retreat ends.
You step off the pickleball court just as the desert light begins to soften. The red rock cliffs glow deep orange in the evening sun, their colors shifting with every passing minute. Warm air drifts through the canyon, carrying that unmistakable scent of sun-warmed earth and sage.
Your legs feel pleasantly tired—the good kind of tired that comes from hours of play, laughter, and chasing down one more shot. The day was filled with rallies, coaching tips, and those moments on the court when everything suddenly clicks.
From the nearby kitchen, the smell of dinner drifts through the air—warm, vibrant, inviting. You can already imagine the table: nourishing plant-based food, easy conversation, laughter flowing as freely as the stories of the day’s best points.
Soon you’ll gather with the others to fuel up, share a meal, and relive the highlights of the day. Maybe a soak in the hot tub under the vast desert sky. Then deep rest—so you can wake up tomorrow and do it all again.
For the first time in a while, you notice what it feels like to slow down. No rushing. No constant noise. Just the rhythm of the day—movement, nourishing food, connection, and time outdoors.
You feel energized, but also deeply calm.
You realize this is what it feels like when things come into balance—playing hard, eating well, connecting with others, and spending time in a place that reminds you how good life can feel.
And as the last light fades from the canyon walls, you take a deep breath and think—
I want more days like this.
You sit down outside next to a new friend, both of you pausing to take in the sunset as it settles over the red cliffs of Southern Utah. The sky stretches wide above you—painted in gold, rose, and deepening blue.
Your body feels strong and satisfied.
Your mind is quiet.
Your heart feels unexpectedly full.
Just days ago, these people were strangers. Now you’re replaying the best rallies of the day, laughing about the impossible shots that somehow landed in.
A gentle desert breeze brushes your skin. The vast landscape around you feels grounding, steady, timeless.
Welcome to the
Connection | Play | Nourishment
Retreat
Wouldn’t it feel refreshing to spend time with people who share your love of great food, pickleball, and social connection?
💚 You’ll experience real connection.
There’s something special about spending a few days with people who quickly feel like friends. Through shared meals, time on the courts, and relaxed conversations, you’ll build genuine connections with others who appreciate good food, movement, and meaningful time together.
💚 You’ll elevate your pickleball game.
Enjoy plenty of time on the courts with opportunities to practice, play, and improve. Whether you’re refining strategy, dialing in your shots, or just enjoying the rhythm of a great rally, you’ll leave feeling more confident and energized about your game.
💚 You’ll enjoy incredible plant-based meals.
Throughout the retreat, you’ll be nourished with vibrant, delicious plant-based food designed to fuel your body for active days on the court. Meals become a highlight—time to relax, laugh, and share stories from the day.
All meals at the retreat are thoughtfully crafted to be 100% whole food plant-based and completely oil-free, inspired by the traditional, longevity-supporting cuisine of Costa Rica’s Blue Zones, where people have thrived for generations on simple, nourishing foods from the land.
Meals are enjoyed in a relaxed setting overlooking the desert landscape, creating an experience that invites conversation, laughter, and meaningful connection. This is food that fuels your body, supports long-term wellness, and demonstrates just how abundant, flavorful, and joyful whole food plant-based living can be.
Special dietary needs? We’ve got you covered.
The Venue
Nestled among the stunning red rock landscapes of Southern Utah, Arcadia Resort offers a setting that feels both expansive and grounding. Surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs and wide desert skies, nature becomes part of your experience. Warm breezes, glowing sunsets, and quiet star-filled nights create a rhythm that’s both energizing and restorative. Life here moves a little slower, a little simpler, and far more connected—to the landscape, to your fellow retreat guests, and to the joy of playing pickleball, sharing great food, and soaking in this beautiful place.
Our shared townhome blends seamlessly with the red rock landscape, featuring open-air living spaces and large windows that bring the desert light, air, and sweeping canyon views inside.
Inside and out, you’re surrounded by the beauty of Southern Utah—stunning cliffs, wide skies, and the quiet rhythm of the desert. Whether you’re relaxing on the deck, strolling around the property, or enjoying the pool, you’re constantly immersed in the sights, sounds, and colors of the landscape.
Shared spaces—from the living areas to the dining room—are designed to foster connection, laughter, and reflection. Every detail supports restoration and inspiration, creating an environment where you can step away from daily demands and recharge together.
At Arcadia Resort, the setting itself becomes part of the experience—calming the mind, energizing the body, and opening space for clarity, creativity, and connection.
Accommodations
The Flow of Your Retreat
Your Experience Includes
➡️ Private Shared Townhome in Arcadia Resort, Santa Clara, UT
Exclusively reserved for our group.
➡️ 3 Nights / 4 Days of Immersive Accommodations
Enjoy three restful nights at Arcadia Resort, surrounded by expansive red rock views, and beautifully designed spaces that invite relaxation, reflection, and connection.
➡️ 8 Nourishing Blue Zones-Inspired Plant-Based Meals
All meals are thoughtfully prepared and are 100% whole-food, plant-based and oil-free.
3 breakfasts (includes breakfast on departure day)
2 lunches
3 dinners (includes dinner on arrival day)
Fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and light refreshments are available throughout your stay.
➡️ Pickleball Instruction & Play!
Players with a DUPR between 2.5-4.0 will get the most benefit from the instruction and game play.
➡️ Time to Relax and Restore
Ample unstructured time is intentionally built in so you can enjoy the pool or hot tub, explore the property, or simply rest.
➡️ Physician-Led Education & Lifestyle Integration
Engaging conversations during the retreat provide science-based guidance on plant-based nutrition, sustainable habit change, and long-term health—designed to help you carry this experience home with confidence.
➡️ Connection, Community, and a Few Special Surprises
Shared meals, meaningful conversations, and unforgettable moments create a supportive environment that makes this retreat as enriching as it is enjoyable.
Not Included
Travel to and from Santa Clara, UT. Flight changes, airline baggage fees for any and all baggage, medical and travel insurance, gratuities and taxes for personal services, personal expenses (such as souvenirs, phone calls, laundry, taxis/ride shares).
— Your Hosts —
Niki Davis, MD & Lucas Matelich, M.ED
FAQ’s
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Santa Clara, UT is about a 30 minute drive from the St George, UT airport (SGU). It is about a 1.5-2 hour drive or shuttle ride (StGShuttle.com) from the Las Vegas, NV airport (LAS). Due to the time difference, you lose an additional hour from NV to UT but gain an hour from UT to NV. Shuttle cost from LAS is usually around $40-$50. Transportation costs to and from Santa Clara, UT are not included in the Retreat cost.
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At the end of September, the weather in Santa Clara, UT (right next to St. George) is usually warm, sunny, and very pleasant—one of the nicest times of the year there.
Typical late-September conditions:
Daytime highs: about 80–85°F (27–29°C)
Nighttime lows: about 60–65°F (16–18°C)
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There is High-Speed Internet available throughout the property.
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Yes, we always highly recommend travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage. You never know what can happen that could prevent you from traveling – you want to protect your travel investment. Be sure to read the fine print, as policies can differ greatly. It’s best to include a “cancel for any reason clause.”
Two insurance companies that we suggest are Global Rescue and Travel Guard Insurance online.
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Yes! After registration, you’ll receive a retreat questionnaire where you can inform us of your dietary needs.
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Pickleball Gear
Pickleball paddle (bring a backup if you have one)
Court shoes or supportive athletic shoes
Comfortable athletic clothing for warm weather
Hat or visor
Sunglasses
Reusable water bottle
Clothing
Light athletic outfits for daytime play
A light jacket or sweatshirt for cooler mornings and evenings
Casual clothes for group meals and relaxing
Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
Sun & Wellness
Sunscreen (the Southern Utah sun is strong ☀️)
Lip balm with SPF
Personal medications or supplements
Small daypack or bag for the courts
Optional but Nice to Have
Yoga mat or stretching mat
Foam roller or massage ball for recovery
Swimsuit (for the pool or hot tub)
Journal or book for quiet time
We’ll Provide
Pickleballs and courts
Nourishing plant-based meals and snacks
Coaching and organized play
A welcoming community and beautiful setting
Cancellation Policy
If cancellation notice is received more than 90 days prior to the start of the retreat, 100% of any payments made will be refunded, less credit card transaction fees (typically 3-4% of purchase amount). If notice is received between 90 days and 61 days prior to the start of the retreat, 50% of any payments will be refunded, less credit card transaction fees. If cancellation notice is received 60 days or less prior to the start of the retreat, there shall be no refund. There are no exceptions with our cancellation policy due to the contractual commitments we have with our vendors who do not offer refunds or transfer of funds. Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended whenever making travel plans. You can use our suggested Travel Guard Insurance online and choose from several policy options.
Ready to Experience?
Secure your place and begin planning your remarkable retreat to the Red Rocks.