Why Retreat Is More Than an App: It’s a Path to Spiritual Wellness – An Interview with Ash Moraca

What if the most powerful breakthroughs in life don’t come at the finish line—but in the silence that follows the fall?

For Ash Moraca, the journey from corporate ambition to conscious entrepreneurship wasn’t about abandoning success—it was about redefining it. Ash’s path weaves through personal struggle, spiritual awakening, and the raw honesty of facing her own limits, ultimately shaping the creation of Retreat, a wellness app designed to help others navigate their own healing.

In this conversation, Ash invites us behind the scenes to share insights of her entrepreneurial and spiritual evolution that continue to shape her life’s work. Continue reading or listen in by subscribing for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube to discover how Ash Moraca’s quiet revelations might illuminate your own search for meaning.

You recently wrote on LinkedIn a very short, but powerful post: “Success is a lagging indicator. Keep going.” Can you go a bit deeper into that statement? What were you trying to communicate there?

Ash Moraca: I can’t take credit for that phrase—a friend of mine shared it with me—but it really resonated.

There are challenging days as an entrepreneur building a mental health and spiritually focused company. You need those little nuggets of wisdom to keep you moving forward. That phrase reminds me that the work I’m doing now may not pay off until months later.

In fact, the results I’m seeing today come from work I did a year ago. I think we often want immediate rewards, but success is a long game. I’m in it for the long haul.

Tell us about your own journey into consciousness, mindfulness, and spirituality. Did you grow up in a home with a faith tradition, or did that come later?

Ash Moraca: I grew up in a primarily Christian household, but I rejected it at the time. To me, it felt a bit dogmatic. I’d say I was agnostic for most of my early life, up until my mid-twenties.

That’s when I started dabbling in spirituality. My gateway was manifestation—exploring a different way of living. I leaned into the part of myself that felt unfulfilled, wondering, “There has to be more than this,” especially as I worked in the corporate world.

I lived in Toronto and couldn’t imagine spending the next 80 years that way. Around 2020, I decided to go back to school and pursue an MBA in the UK. That decision became a catalyst, propelling me into a whole new direction—a bit of a timeline shift or jump, if you will.

After graduating, I became a digital nomad, working remotely and exploring different business ideas.

When heading into that MBA, were you thinking, “I’m going to pursue the digital nomad life,” or was it more like, “This is a way to elevate and possibly step back into corporate”? What was going through your mind at the time?

Ash Moraca: I was open to whatever would come after the MBA. I thought, “This could be a year away from my regular day-to-day, and I really want to do something different.”

I was very keen on something entrepreneurial, and I had inklings of maybe trying the digital nomad path. But I didn’t have set goals of going back into corporate. I was stepping into a time of change, ready to shift the trajectory of my life.

Not long after, I began struggling severely with my mental health—depression, suicidal ideation. Looking back, I can see that the life structures I’d built before—focused on achievement and meeting external expectations—were crumbling. I wasn’t coming from a self-sourced or self-resourced place, and once I destabilized from those old anchors, my mental health started to unravel.

When you were in that place, were you working at the time? Were you back home? Did your family help and support you? How did you navigate that season?

Ash Moraca: I was still traveling and working on different entrepreneurial projects.

I didn’t seek much community help, and I felt very isolated. That solo path is actually what led me to discover the various healing modalities that now inform my work today.

I began exploring everything—breathwork, meditation, EMDR therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, EFT tapping, and deep energetic work. It takes a lot of time, resources, and energy to explore all these paths. As someone who was truly suffering, I just wanted answers. I wanted to find the root and the source of what was going on inside me.

Did you reach out to people? Were you learning these things through YouTube, online courses, or in person? How did you dive into these modalities?

Ash Moraca: It was quite a mix—all of the above, really.

I attended a lot of retreats, worked one-on-one with practitioners, and took some online courses. It became a whole new education. Eventually, I became a practitioner in several modalities myself, which has deeply informed both my external work and my internal healing. It’s shaped how I see the world today.

From another interview you did, I know that you had an injury that helped propel this process. When did that injury happen?

Ash Moraca: The injury happened in 2018, so it laid the foundation for what followed.

I was running a marathon, and at about mile 30, I broke my hip.

It was my first marathon, and I’d heard about “hitting the wall.” I assumed that was what I was experiencing and didn’t really tune into the pain.

I ended up finishing the marathon, which, of course, severely impacted my body. The recovery process was lengthy—about a year.

What I learned from that experience was how disconnected I was from my own body, how out of harmony I was with myself. I wasn’t listening to what was happening inside.

Previously, exercise had been my outlet, but suddenly, I was forced to sit with myself. That opened the door to my spiritual journey. I was no longer running away from myself—I was forced to sit face-to-face and reckon with the challenges rising within.

What a powerful metaphor—the idea of running a marathon, chasing the goal, the achievement, the finish line, even as something inside is breaking, and just pushing on anyway. Ash, I’ve been there. I know what that’s like. The goal, the goal—my body, my soul, whatever—just reach the goal.

Ash Moraca: Exactly. And I think that’s so glamorized in today’s hustle culture—grit, determination, never give up.

I was raised that way, and I think a lot of people are. On one hand, it can create incredible success and certain outcomes. But on the other hand, you might reach those achievements, stand at that finish line, and realize you feel completely disconnected and dissatisfied with the life you’ve chosen to lead.

Do you find that your parents are still driven by achievement? And if so, how are they navigating seeing you make these shifts?

Ash Moraca: That’s such an interesting question. I’d say they’re open to conversation and hearing my perspective.

Over time, I’ve had meaningful discussions with them, sharing my thoughts and opinions. I think they’ve even come to recognize how deeply that drive was ingrained in them.

For example, my grandparents emigrated to Canada from Italy in the late 1950s with absolutely nothing. So, the stress and ancestral trauma my parents carried came from a place of survival and the need to provide. Knowing that’s where it comes from helps me meet it with compassion and understanding—and also helps me understand why I carry that pattern on a cellular level in my own body.

That’s so powerful. Tell me how you came up with the idea for the Retreat app. You already have this entrepreneurial energy and vision. How did the idea emerge? What’s the story behind it?

Ash Moraca: It really stemmed from my own experiences—feeling lost, in transition, and wanting a deeper connection to myself. I found that connection through exploring various healing modalities.

But it took a lot of time, energy, and resources to discover those modalities and to find trusted, vetted practitioners I felt I could be open and honest with. I realized there wasn’t anything like this on the market, and that inspired me to build a tool I wish I’d had during that phase of my journey.

People often ask how we’re differentiated from apps like Headspace or Calm. While we do offer breathwork and meditation, which are core content pillars, the real differentiation is the connection I aim to foster—to self, to source, to a higher power, whatever that looks like for each individual.

It’s not just about training your brain to focus or meditate. It’s about opening yourself up and connecting more deeply to who you truly are—your essence, your soul—and connecting to something greater.

Why did you make the choice to integrate spirituality, rather than going the more secular route like Calm or Headspace?

Ash Moraca: Honestly, it almost felt like I had no choice.

I truly feel divinely guided on this path. I’m here to serve as a bridge between the deeply spiritual world and the more grounded, business-focused 3D world, if you will—to allow people to bridge both and have that experience.

Spirituality is such a spectrum. For some people who aren’t quite ready to take a full leap, just having an entry point can be hugely beneficial.

I love it. Okay, how do I use the app? I download it—what’s inside, and how do I access it?

Ash Moraca: You can find it in the App Store by searching “Retreat.” We’ll pop up as one of the first results—look for the orange logo focused on spiritual wellness.

Inside, we offer over 500 different practices across a wide range of modalities, so there’s a lot for people to explore. We aim to meet individuals where they are, whether they’re drawn to EFT tapping, meditation, breathwork, internal family systems work, or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

In addition to the individual practices, we also offer mini-courses—five to ten episodes, each about five to ten minutes long—that explore topics people might be curious about, like holistic nutrition or hypnotherapy.

It’s designed to give an integrated approach, so you’re not just outsourcing your healing but actually learning about the science behind these practices, internalizing the knowledge, and taking ownership of your experience.

Can I test the content when I sign up, or do I need to immediately commit to a monthly or annual subscription?

Ash Moraca: We offer a free seven-day trial for anyone who signs up. After that, the monthly cost is $12.99 USD, or you can choose an annual plan for $100.

How do you choose the facilitators who create the content? How many do you currently have, and are you looking for new facilitators?

Ash Moraca: We currently have about 20 facilitators, and we’re continuing to build out the content catalog.

I vet each practitioner because maintaining the integrity of the content is really important to me. Of course, that’s more art than science, but I want to ensure there’s an energetic connection and alignment with the kind of content we’re offering.

Is it mostly people you know personally, or is there an open call for new facilitators? How does that process work for you?

Ash Moraca: It’s been a mix.

I have worked with many practitioners one-on-one, and I invited them onto the platform. I also offer some of my content as a practitioner. Beyond that, we’ve had a lot of inbound interest—people reaching out to ask if they can join—and we go through an interview and intake process to see if it’s a good fit.

So yes, we’re definitely open to the conversation if someone feels called to be part of it.

So much of this comes organically through relationships because of built-in trust. Would you say that’s been true for you?

Ash Moraca: Absolutely. It’s been humbling to witness practitioners wanting to help, to share, and to take a bet on a growing platform when we first launched.

It’s been amazing to see how those relationships have continued to grow and evolve over time. Even with my therapist, it’s been fascinating to shift from a purely client-therapist dynamic to now also working together in a business context. It’s been a powerful reflection on my growth, and the experience has been eye-opening on so many levels.

In terms of recording content—whether audio or video—are you doing that centrally, or do individual facilitators handle it and submit to you? How does that work behind the scenes?

Ash Moraca: We provide each practitioner with the necessary equipment and ship it to their home.

They handle the recording themselves, essentially doing a brain dump depending on the content. They then submit all the raw files to our internal team, and we handle the production, post-production, editing, and ultimately push everything live. We perform quality control to ensure everything feels aligned before publishing.

I thought I read or heard that you’re utilizing AI in some parts of the app. Is that true?

Ash Moraca: Yes! We’re currently working on new product features that will leverage AI.

The idea is to develop a model that can read different levels of consciousness. Right now, the platform is fantastic in terms of offering a wide array of content, but the next step is helping users discover which modality is right for them.

With this AI model, we’ll be able to understand the depth of someone’s experience and meet them exactly where they are, serving up the right practice, tool, or teaching modality depending on what they need.

I’ve heard people talk about how AI opens up mental health and spiritual development possibilities. Some even feel the AI is channeling beings to them! I could see an AI-based therapist on your platform. Have you considered that?

Ash Moraca: We have—it’s such an exciting and powerful time.

Of course, there are valid concerns about AI, but I believe that when approached ethically and thoughtfully, it can offer incredible opportunities. One thing we’re focusing on is creating a container for people, where AI can do more than just mirror prompts or spit back information.

We can frame the AI to hold space and reflect in a way that honors the person and nudges them toward their next immediate step, rather than staying flat or superficial. We can even program it with a high-vibrational, elevated presence, which I find really fascinating.

Take me back to the early days of Retreat. You launched publicly about a year and a half ago, right?

Ash Moraca: That’s right.

And how long did you work on the project before you launched it?

Ash Moraca: About a year before launch.

Looking back on that year of development and the early launch phase, what were some of the challenges you faced, and what lessons did you learn? I ask because so many of our listeners have ideas for apps, programs, or courses, and it’s inspiring to hear the inside story of entrepreneurship.

Ash Moraca: It felt—and still sometimes feels—like drinking from a fire hose. There’s always a new challenge or piece to undertake.

I was a solo founder for a long time and only recently brought on a couple of people. It sounds cliché, but you do end up wearing every hat. On one hand, that’s brought me so much joy and value, being able to touch so many aspects of the business.

But there’s also a drain; sometimes it can even feel at odds with spirituality or working in alignment with your energy. I’ve often felt pulled in different directions, facing this internal reckoning: how does entrepreneurship align with my spiritual view of the world? It’s something I’m still figuring out.

One of the biggest lessons for entrepreneurs starting out has been learning to operate independently. Finding sovereignty in myself means I’m not constantly seeking others’ opinions to guide my path. I’ve found that looking for too many opinions can steer me off course and away from my own truth.

That’s interesting. Give me an example of what you mean when you say “self-resourced” or “sovereign.”

Ash Moraca: It’s the feeling that I’m so self-resourced and self-sovereign that I understand I have all the answers inside myself.

I’m not looking for others to fill a void or tell me the next step I need to take. That doesn’t mean I never seek advice—it’s important to consult experts when I know I want to get from point A to Z in a specific area.

For example, I was considering moving down an affiliate model. I spoke with a mentor who, because of their own past experiences, projected a lot of concerns onto the idea. That clouded my opinion and steered me away from that decision for a long time.

Now, I’m getting to a place where I can be in that sovereign space, where I can hear someone’s opinion, receive it, but not let it overshadow my own decision-making.

How do you manage that balance? On one hand, you’re saying, “I’m sovereign, I have my own path,” but what if people are worried you’re ignoring advice or being too independent? What would you say to that?

Ash Moraca: I think it’s still important to listen when someone shares something—it could very well be a nudge or message from the universe.

I’m not advocating putting on complete blinders. But I’ve noticed that in the past, I leaned more toward needing external validation, needing the answers from someone else, rather than finding them within myself.

So, part of the journey is looking inward and understanding: where is my baseline? How do I evolve to find what “center” means for me?

How do you find those answers internally as you move forward in business? Is it through meditation? Journaling? What does that look like for you?

Ash Moraca: For me, it’s through meditation and typically sitting in stillness.

Even if the answers don’t come immediately, grounding and centering myself, reconnecting with my heart, makes a huge difference.

I love to bring that heart-centered approach into the business itself. When I have a big question or decision to make, I always ask: What decision is coming from love and from my heart? That’s been a guiding light and a force I expect will continue shaping my journey.

It feels like the journey of entrepreneurship is the journey of becoming a creator in life. There are many paths to that, of course—artistry is one—but for me, making the decision to create something from nothing has birthed something deeply meaningful outside of me.

You’ll face challenges, you’ll be tested, and it’s your ability to reconnect to your path and to yourself that strengthens your resolve. For me, it’s also deepened my connection to Source.

Tell me about the Oxford MBA, traditional business strategies and models, and how you integrate those with this heart-guided, intuitive approach. Do you bounce between the two? How does that work in your mind?

Ash Moraca: That’s a good question—and one I don’t have all the answers to yet!

Every day, I’m still working on bridging that gap. This will continue to evolve because we don’t yet have many great examples of people who’ve fully integrated these two worlds.

I feel that’s part of the work I’m here to do. It’s a lot of trial and error. I often think of it like balancing masculine and feminine energies within myself. The business side creates strong foundations and structure, which are so important. But within that, I intentionally carve out time for creation, for feminine energy to flow.

That might look like blocking out five hours on my calendar with no meetings or tasks—just space for creativity, play, or simply being. It’s something I’ve been testing, and it feels right. I know it will keep evolving, and I’m open to the learnings that will come as I continue integrating both sides.

You mentioned you’ve brought on some team members. When you brought them in, were you consciously balancing the business side versus the heart-and-wellness side, or was it more about finding the right people to get tasks done?

Ash Moraca: I’m still learning what striking that balance looks like.

Yes, there are OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), key metrics we track weekly, and business goals to hit. But at the same time, I’m trying to create space within the company culture for connection, integration, breathwork experiences, meditations—basically, embodying internally what we’re offering to the world.

That’s been a learning process, and I haven’t always done it perfectly. As a solo founder for a long time, even bringing on team members has been a big growth point. There have been plenty of mistakes and false starts, and I definitely don’t want to pretend I have it all figured out.

I’m curious about your digital nomad lifestyle. Many people dream of that, but I like being rooted—I love my bed, space, and office. What’s your motivation behind being a digital nomad, and what are the upsides and downsides for you?

Ash Moraca: For me, it feels incredibly expansive.

Being in a new place, choosing exactly where I want to be, not being tied to one location—it makes me feel like anything is possible. I can meet new people, experience different cultural foods, and switch climates. It truly feels like I am a creator, and the world is accessible to me.

Of course, there are downsides. For example, I was recently in an Airbnb in New York City, where I had a mouse problem, and dealing with the upheaval of moving and finding a new place was stressful. This lifestyle can create a lot of instability, which can create nervous system dysregulation.

Not knowing where I’ll be in a month can be challenging. I’ve been living like this on and off for about five years, and more consistently for the past six months. I’m starting to feel ready to find a more permanent home base by the fall. I still see myself traveling, but there’s real value in being grounded and rooted.

Where are you feeling drawn to for a home base?

Ash Moraca: Right now, Costa Rica feels most resonant.

I’m drawn to nature, the warm climate, the ocean, and being part of a growing spiritual community. I’m also fascinated by places where tech and spirituality intersect—that’s something I’d love to explore more.

I’ve interviewed several people who’ve moved to Costa Rica, and it’s fascinating how a place can energetically draw people in. Did you find it easy to connect with others with similar mindsets?

Ash Moraca: Absolutely—100%. It’s very easy to connect with like-minded people there. I wonder if, energetically, the place itself is pulling in people who are on similar paths.

You also created a Retreat Ambassador Program, right? Can you tell us what it is and how people can get involved?

Ash Moraca: Yes! We bring on amazing ambassadors who are genuinely excited about what we’re creating.

These people love using the platform in their own lives and want to share it with their communities. We offer a commission-based incentive, and ambassadors also receive a free membership.

We have an application process to ensure a strong fit and brand cohesion, and the program has been growing significantly. It’s been wonderful to find champions of what we’re building—people who resonate deeply with it and are excited to share it.

Where can people learn more and apply?

Ash Moraca: You can visit our website at www.joinretreat.app.

In the main navigation, there’s a link to the ambassador program where you can apply, and we’ll get back to you quickly with the next steps.

Do you offer one-on-one services right now if people want to follow you personally or reach out?

Ash Moraca: I do!

I offer one-on-one work in breathwork, meditation, internal family systems work, and more—a very personalized, curated approach based on whatever’s coming up in someone’s life.

I’m still taking some one-on-one clients. I post regularly on Instagram at @ashmoraca. I’m also active on LinkedIn, which has become a beautiful new space where many spiritual healers and creators build a vibrant community.

Ash, I have to ask—do you ever get angry? You seem so grounded, so mellow. Do you get frustrated, and if so, what frustrates you?

Ash Moraca: Oh, I definitely get angry! Just last week, I was experiencing a lot of anger—almost a kind of sacred rage that felt like it was coming from the feminine lineage in my family line. It was like I was the first one in the line to feel and process it, and part of my anger was asking, “Why am I the first one to carry this?”

So yes, while I may appear grounded most of the time, I experience a wide range of emotions daily. The work, for me, is continually learning how to come back to center and find that grounding again.

Sometimes you need to pick up a pillow and scream into it, right? That’s a great tool.

Ash Moraca: Absolutely! It’s so healthy to experience anger and to release it in a conscious, non-destructive way. It’s a really powerful practice.

And once that energy is released and integrated back into your system, it becomes even more powerful. You can leverage that anger to create a higher level of consciousness. That’s been my experience.

Okay, last question. If someone is considering starting their own company, whether it’s an app or offering their services to the world, what advice or encouragement would you give them?

Ash Moraca: Definitely start. That’s the first thing I’d say.

It’s easy to fall into overanalyzing and overplanning, which can lead to false starts or never quite getting anything out into the world. I’m a perfectionist, so I know how hard it can be to launch something you don’t feel is 100% ready. But it’s always better to launch something at 80% and then keep iterating and improving over time.

Also, entrepreneurship is challenging, and there have been many moments when I’ve wanted to give up. But in those moments, I come back to my why, to my truth, and I remind myself to stay in my heart and keep walking the path. Continuing to show up, even on the tough days, has been one of the most important parts of my journey. I would really encourage anyone considering this path to reflect deeply on their own why—and then to keep showing up for it.