the wellionaires club RETREAT

A Health Renewal Programme

The Wellionaires Retreat is a unique health renewal programme which takes place at Casa Q Coisa in the Brazilian village of Cumuruxatiba, Bahia, Brazil. every 6 months.

Upcoming Retreat 13th to 25TH October 2024

Under the personal attendance of London based GP Dr D O'Flynn,who leads and participates in the fast. Over the course of nine-ten days, the team at Casa Q Coisa will help you clarify your personal health and wellness goals, and most importantly ensure you have a fun holiday at the same time.
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This programme is ideal if you are looking for a kickstart to a healthier way of living, or just want to lose a few kilos, or a few symptoms, wrapped up in a tropical holiday. It consists of a 7 day, 800 calorie fast, known as a Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD). This is followed by a 3 day re-entry period where we sample some of the local delicacies under a non dairy,gluten, pescatarian mantra.
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The programme includes sessions of Yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, Massage ,Psammotherapy, Beach Walks , Watsu and ReFlotsu Therapy. The warm Atlantic ocean is at our feet, so many outdoor opportunities for beach walking, swimming, snorkelling, fishing, paddle boarding and even whale watching in the July-October season.

Fasting Mimicking Diet

Our FMD consists of 2 litres of fluids daily, including fresh coconut water.

Calorie intake is approx 700-800 kcal per day, starting with a light breakfast of Coconut WAter, Herbal tea and some fruit.Lunch is a small salad and evening meal consists of a vegetable soup, flavours changing daily.


While on the cleanse it is important to get at least four hours of exercise daily. This can be cycling, walking or swimming. Bicycles and paddle boards are available.

We have excellent masseuses on site who specialise in Deep Tissue Massage,Reflexology, Shiatsu, Reiki and Egyptian and Ayuvedic massage.

We have a solar poered hydrotherapy pool for Watsu and Flotsu treatments..

All of our therapists speak English.
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Dr D O’ Flynn, is a qualified G.P. based in London.He has long been an advocate of prevention is better than a cure and that as individuals we should be actively taking responsibility for our own health.

He has a special interest in FMD (fasting mimicking diet) and its effects on our intestinal and immune systems and stem cell activity, as well as autophagy/mitophagy. Throughout the stay there will be plenty of opportunities to learn about the science behind Dr D’s approach to fasting.

Check out the blog on this site where Dr D adds interesting emerging scientific articles.

Scroll down to see “Testimonials” from previous attendees.

Your Trip. our beach…..

Due to the programme’s tropical destination, the retreat is usually a 10-12 day round trip. We fly overnight from London Heathrow direct to São Paulo . We arrive at the village of Cumuruxatiba by boat or car the next afternoon. We spend 7 days on the fast, and on the last 2-3 days we have some local fish and fruits as we help you plan and design your re entry. Some people extend their stay in Cumuruxatiba others go on exploring Brazil or South America and others go right back home. It is your call!

For those who have not been on a fast before, be assured, it is not as arduous as it may sound. The idea is to also have a fun, healthy and informative holiday and soak up the Brazilian culture in the tropical surroundings of this tranquil fishing village on this spectacular part of the Bahian coast.

CUMURUXATIBA

Cumuruxatiba is a small fishing village located in the state of Bahia, on the North East Coast of Brazil, 17 degrees south of the Equator.

The Location

Access to the village is by a 30 km dirt road. This fact has helped to keep developers at bay, and as a result, Cumuru has changed little over the years.
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In this picture there are the remains of a pier. This was originally built in the early 60’s by a German company to extract minerals from the local black sand. It took six years to build and measured 800 metres in length. This made it the second longest wooden pier in Brazil. But time has taken its toll, and now just the fading pillars remain. Nevertheless it is the landmark by which Cumuru is easily recognised, and it is a great location for taking photos.

For more photos of surrounding area go to Beaches on the Casa Q Coisa site.

THE TEAM

  • Dr Dermot O’Flynn

    Dermot had the great fortune to be educated in Ireland and qualified from University College, Cork in 1981. As a GP he he works in the NHS at the Herne Hill Road Medical Practice and privately at the Chelsea Consulting Rooms, at 2 Lower Sloane Street, London SW1W 8BJ.

    He accompanies clients to his private retreat at Casa Q Coisa, Cumuruxatiba, Bahia, North East Brazil for his unique Fasting Mimicking Diet programme.

    He also lectures on the science behind Fasting Mimicking Diets.

  • Ligia

    Is our Programme Coordinator . She is a retired Restoration Architect and an expert on Brazilian Heritage.

    She has brought a new dimension to the experience with her passion for cooking. She has created some excellent evening soups and organises the daily activities. She is fluent in Portuguese and Italian and has an excellent command of English.

  • Rafael

    Thsi is Rafa, he looks after the house and pool and garden etc. Be nice to him as he supplies the coconut water… He was born and raised in Cumuru and he is very proud of the nature that surrounds us here… he also feeds the birds and takes care of all our IT needs here at Casa Q Coisa.

  • Angela

    This is the lady that makes our magical evening soup. I have been fortunate enough to have her support over the last 30 years here in Cumuru. During your stay she will oversee rooms and general cleanliness and provides great smiles and laughs throughout the week with an outgoing sense of daily good humour. She can also take you through a culinary demonstration as to how to make coconut oil

  • Juliana

    Since 2006, she has been living in Cumuruxatiba and working as a biologist with environmental causes. She is interested in local herbal cures. In 2014 Juliana studied Classical Massage and Shiatsu to join the Cristal Terapias Cumuruxatiba team, treating locals and tourists in Cumuruxatiba and Corumbau. In 2015 she had training in Reiki and Reflexology. Since then, she works as a masseuse and holistic therapist with the groups at the Wellionaires retreat. She is fluent in English.

  • Cecilia

    My name is Cecília, I’ve been living in Cumuruxatiba since 2014. The word Yoga means ‘unit’, derived from sanscrit word ‘Yug’ that means ‘unify’. During the retreat we will be practising Asana, Pranayama and Yoga Nidra. Those practices act in the stabilization of body and mind, promoting the liberation of potential energy and giving to the body-mind system vitality, strenght, flexibility, creativity, clear mind, joviality and balance.

  • Angelica

    Born and raised in Chile, Angelica started her studies In India and Thailand in 2010 with Ayurveda and Thai Massage respectively, while living in The Nederlands. Also she has been working as a Massage Therapist in Amsterdam and has became experienced with other therapies such us, Aromatherapy, Reflexology,Deep Tissue,Reiki and Watsu among others... Since 2015 she is been working between Amsterdam and Corumbau in Bahia and in 2019 she joined The Cumuru Cleanse Team. She is fluent in English.

  • Juliana Marinho

    Juliana is a holistic therapist , she offers experiences in the water including therapy and aquatic dance, overcoming fears and linking with oneself through connection with one’s internal and external waters. She is also an aura reader (official therapist of Brazilian Aura Reading School), facilitator of access bars (Access Consciousness), meditations and journeys of self-knowledge and sacred feminine. She lives between Brasília and the island of Fernando de Noronha, She loves to go to Cumuru to let people flow and release themselves in the unique therapeutic pool of Casa Q Coisa.

  • Daniele Denovaro

    I am passionate about teaching Pilates I have been a Pilates teacher at Polestar Pilates Brazil since 2000;I graduated in Gyrokinesis in 2010.I have a degree in dance from the Federal University of Bahia, 2011.I'm a Pilates mentor at Polestar Pilates Brazil since 2016;

    I currently use Pilates and/or Gyrotonic/Gyrokinesis in my daily classes at Salvador-BA studios.I have been training teachers in the Polestar Pilates method in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil for 22 years.I lived in New Zealand for 3 years teaching Pilates between 2002 and 2004.

TESTIMONIALS

  • 5-16TH OCTOBER

    What Can I say...

    2nd time around for me (June 2016 ) but by far the better of the two.

    Der, you really have done some amazing stuff here over the last 4 years, good on you " Langer "

    Thank You and Ligia for everything, especially the Grand Finale....

    Pity about the Rugby...

    Love to Angela and Rafa also...

  • 5-16TH OCTOBER

    What a Place ! Thank you so much for having us at your little place in/at paradise. You have shown us Brazil from its best side!

    .I love how you grew this place organically over more than 30 years, even planted all the very mature mango trees.....

    Love people, perfect climate, and atmosphere...

    Leaves me saying I will be back......

  • 5-16th October

    What an amazing experience to be in Paradise while fasting !

    Never had the chance to feel hungry. Days were packed with activities, chatting and relaxing.Added bonus of several beach days out of the 'Bounty Ad' ! A fabulous introduction to Brazil. Many thanks for inviting me, and to both of you Dermot and Ligia for looking after us so well.

  • March 2023

    Fabulous week in Casa Q Coisa, it was a great experience. I thought it would be very difficult but the programme organised by Dermot and Ligia, helped by Angela and Rafa, was fantastic.

    The whole week was an experience I would like to repeat.

    It’s a beautiful place, a perfect tropical paradise

    Thanks also to Daniella for her wonderful Pilates class, Ju for her amazing massages and Angelica the water wonder with her great energy and sense of humor

    I loved the whole week and feel amazing.

  • March 2023

    We travelled to the coast of Brazil

    to starve so we wouldn't get ill

    With so much to do time really flew

    and now we are all skinny and new.

    Just to finish off the ditty

    “We became ketotic and thought it exotic”!!

    Dermot thank you for asking us to join the Wellionaires Club. We loved it and will be back. Ligia thank you for looking after us so well.

  • March 2023

    A terrible week… A wonderful week !

    Torture and bliss in equal measure, but thank you, Dermot Ligia, for all the soup, support, massages and motivation.

    Another cleanse over, here’s to next year.

    Inshallah !

    With much love and so many thanks.

    “ The fruity and soupy paradise at the Wellionaires Club puts the Welly into life and is the tonic of Titans. “

  • March 2023

    26th de March

    I have had best fasting experience of my life

    Thans Dermot and Ligia, for making it all happen with much love gratitude.

  • March 13, 2022

    Starting weight 135.7

    Exiting weight 129.1

    What was more important was the emotional weight off my shoulders

    Great Place. gret people ,great weather…sad to leave…..

  • March 13, 2022

    Dear Dermot and Ligia

    Thank you both for yet another amazing Cumuru Experience. n absolue joy from begining to end

    As always, great company,great fun and great craic

    Love galore..

  • March 13, 2022

    Another fabulous week in Cumuru

    ..we go back home a shadow of our former selves

    Thank you so much for totally spoiling us, Dermot and Ligia

  • January 22nd 2021

    Dear Dermot, Staying with you last December was most enlightening and educational, as well as being a great pleasure being there with you.

    Enlightening, as having suffered from high blood pressure for 25 years, your regime normalised it, never before has this happened.

    Educational, because it showed me that one can influence and improve the course of ones health, and relatively easily in my case. Clarity of vision, improved sleep and greater energy were all the benefits of my staying with you.

    Joyous surroundings and company, an ever life changing event for me with my very best wishes.

  • December 2020

    The turquoise blue seas framed by a calm horizon, green mangoes dangling like earrings of jade decorating the trees.

    The birds casting melodies as they flew around the garden, and the rays of sunshine passing through the net curtains each morning. Amor! e Alegria!

    People gathered around the table for each breakfast and dinner. Angela and Rafael making sure everything happens.

    One more unforgettable holiday at Casa Q Coisa.....

  • December 2020

    Dermot, Back in heaven again.

    An oasis of calm in the troubled waters of 2020. Great food (I didn't have any). Great company, perfect weather, a great reset before 2021.

    Many thanks again.

  • October 2019 no 7

    Dear Dermot My 2nd time here and just as wonderful as the time before.I tried not to come with expectations which is impossible.And it was even better! I also had the luck to be with a group of lovely people. The black sand from Bahia did wonders for my swollen and painful ankle and some of it I will take home. The fast as before I found easy and ending this week with Angelas feast was fabulous 5 ***** food. Thank you so much for this wonderful,woderful week and looking after us all so effortlessly

  • October 2019 no 6

    Dr Dermot The wild girls from West Cork. As a little girl, I always knew there was a heaven and hell, i sort of knew what hell could be like, but never experienced heaven until I came to Cumuruxatiba,Dermots jewel. As an 80 yr old I got so involved with all the wonderful activities I did not have a moment to think about the magic and beauty of Dermots Jewel. We met and had a very engaging and interesting group of people.

  • October 2019 no 5

    First Timer After 4 years of waiting I am very glad that I got to share all the experiences and beauty Tadhg has talked about ! Thank you Dermot, i feel great.

  • October 2019 no 4

    Thanks for another fantastic week ! This time (my fourth) was even better than the other 3 The Drive for "five " is well and truly on !

  • October 2019 no 3

    Dear Dermot My stem cells are happy, and so am I.Seeing better, thinking better.Another novel untangled in my head.Bring on " Cumuru -Writers" and thank you

  • October 2019 no 2

    Dear Dermot Time Lucky ? Every time I come to this place I learn something new about myself, my health and this beautiful place.Thank you for a lifetime of memories I shall never forget,particularily this most recent experience in the rainforest. I am a fully signed up member of the Church of the Coconut !

  • October 2019 no 1

    Had 10 super days gere in this very magical place feeling lean, clean and totally recharged ready to take on the world.

  • April 2019 no 7

    Thanks so much Dermot for a fantastic 8 days I leave feeling refereshedlighter and ready to start again Also a great opportunity to spend time with the family , much appreciated

FAQs

  • Yes, there are various options. Some clients extend for an extra week or add on another trip in Brazil/South America, thats all negotiable. One client stayed on for an extra 2 weeks of fasting, we are flexible and will do our best to meet your needs.We have links with an excellent bespoke Tourist Agency run by Conor O Sullivan, another Corkman, in Salvador, Bahia, called Tatur Turismo. Conor has done the Cumuru Cleanse a number of times and is expert in helping people plan extensions to their Cleanse programme.

  • Light long sleeved light cotton clothing. Its the tropics. Sun Hat, sandals, runners for walking, pool , beach wear. Shoes for walking (either runners or closed toe shoes). Exercise wear for yoga/Pilates/stretching.Towels are provided as are all Yoga materials such as mats and blocks, bolsters and belts.. Sarongs for beach. Sunscreen, mosquito repellant. We have a fairly extensive first aid kit. Consider a spare pair of Sunglasses.

  • Ranges from 17 to 34 throughout the year. The hottest period is from December to March.

  • So far this year 2020 there have been no outbreaks of Zika or Dengue in Cumuruxatiba. We don't have many mosquitoes around the house as the gardens are well maintained. Most of the rooms have air conditioning and all have excellent mosquito nets

  • There are 2 pharmacies. There are supermarkets and some arts and crafts shops.Its a small laid back fishing village which each year is getting more popular with Brazilian tourists.We do our trips in low tourist season so its generally pretty quiet.

  • Very safe and warm. There are many reefs so the tides comes in and out over great distances, as a result there are no currents or rip tides.There is a 16 metre pool at the house and thats great for swimming also. We often take a boat trip during the week for snorkelling on the reefs or to visit Curumbau or just to go fishing, and that will depend on weather etc

  • No. Though its a tropical region spiders and snakes do exist. But I have not seen sight of these over the last few years.

  • No, its not available or recommended.

  • I advise people to decaffeinate over 1-2 weeks before starting on the fast. That includes all forms of caffeine ,green tea, tea, energy drinks even some headache medications contain caffeine!. Stopping caffeine suddenly can give certain people a withdrawal headache so its better to come off it slowly over a period of 1-2 weeks.Other than decaffeination there is no special preparation. A similiar approach applies to alcohol. Discuss with your healthcare provider.

  • We normally fly either BA or LATAM direct from London Heathrow to Sao Paolo , Brazil , on a Wednesday. It's an overnight flight , approximately 11 hours, arriving early morning in Brazil. We then collect baggage , do customs and around 10 am take an internal flight to Porto Seguro, Bahia . This takes 1 hr 30 mins.

    Depending on weather we can get a Boat down the coast from Porto Seguro to Cumuruxatiba which takes about 2 hours or we go by Taxi on the motorway, which takes 3 -4hours with the last 45 minutes on a dirt road…

    We arrive in Cumuruxatiba by 3 to 5 pm in time to have a dip in the pool and have our first of 7 soups...

    Please note we are fasting as soon as we land in Sao Paolo…..

    There is a possibility of Helicopter transfer from Porto Seguro to Cumuruxatiba also. This is weather dependent and needs advance booking, Takes 20 mins down the coast, beautiful scenery.