Following a cancer diagnosis, private island owner Britnie Turner has launched a retreat for 'biologically damaged' people using 'breakthrough bio-science, cellular nutrition and soul-level healing'. Jenny Southan reports

After recently being diagnosed with mouth cancer at age 37, private island owner, philanthropist and self-made millionaire Britnie Turner has launched the latest in a series of themed retreats – in this case, "Heal", which promises to fuse "breakthrough bio-science, cellular nutrition and soul-level healing to restore your body to its natural state of balance and vitality".

The US$12,500 retreat takes place at Turner's home – the Aerial, BVI – in the British Virgin Islands. I attended her how-to-get-rich "Abundance" summit on the island a few years ago, but this retreat places a strong emphasis on nature, diet and alternative therapies as the path to betterment.

Surrounded by ocean and away from everyday noise, guests spend time outdoors while following a structured programme with expert practioners that includes "trauma-informed" breathwork, nutrition sessions, healing food and drink, and biohacking consultations.

Sessions are also led by Ian Mitchell, a research scientist and pharmaceutical consultant – and founder of Wizard Sciences, who has also helped Turner on her own health journey.

According to Mitchell: “Hope is the common denominator… if people think they're doomed and it's all for nothing, you're going to believe yourself at some level.” He says in the below video: “Chemo takes the approach of ‘I'm going to beat the cell function down and hope these cells die before you die.’

"My thought was if I can bump up the cellular voltage potential, people will have more energy and feel stronger and the cells will automatically start to regulate.”

Through workshops, discussions and treatments, participants are introduced to a range of emerging approaches to health designed to support the body holistically. These include "cellular regeneration therapies" and "bio-electromagnetic frequency" scans, as well as equine healing at the island's own ranch.

Although Turner says she was originally prompted by the voice of God to launch Heal, it is her own fight with cancer that has inspired her to bring the retreat into being. In the video below she says: "I was diagnosed with cancer as a 37-year-old super healthy – at least I thought super healthy – person. And this has catapulted my hunger for just the desire to really learn what's out there.”

The Aerial said in a statement shared with Globetrender that the goal is to "help guests become more aware of their physical bodies and the signals their body is giving them, they are often too busy to hear". It adds: "The retreat’s philosophy recognises that healing isn’t one dimensional. When modern science, ancient practices, and the restorative power of nature come together, powerful shifts happen."

After being told that surgery would not only be painful but potentially life-changing, Turner says she started searching for alternatives: “They told me there's a chance I would never speak again. There is a chance that I would never be able to swallow on my own again… They said, ‘You'll never be the same.’" She resolved: "I am going to say no, you don't get to tell me how short my life is going to be.”

Britnie explains she began following some of Ian Mitchell’s protocols and noticed changes quickly. “The pain in my face has gone down by 90% already. It's only been like six weeks… but it's working.”

She also reflects on visiting a major cancer centre in the US and feeling shocked by what she saw. “It was one of the most sad things I've ever seen… the cafeteria is full of candy and junk food and processed stuff and pizza and they're giving that to these cancer patients between the radiation treatments.”

Turner tells Globetrender: “My own healing journey opened my eyes to how much information exists outside of the standard medical pathways that most people have access to. As I am navigating my own cancer diagnosis, I found myself meeting and learning from the most incredible out-of-the-box thinkers, healers and scientists, people exploring approaches to healing that traditional medicine in the US often does not examine deeply. The more I learned, the more I felt compelled to find a way to bring this knowledge together and share it with others in a meaningful and accessible way.

“The 'Heal' retreat was born from that desire. It is about creating a space where people can step away from the constant noise of life and reconnect with the wisdom of their own bodies. When you combine nature, community, and practices that align mind, body, spirit, and science people begin to realise that true, deep healing is possible. Health is truly our greatest form of wealth. When we are well, when we are balanced, we are able to live with greater clarity, greater purpose, and ultimately operate as a stronger force for good in the world.”

The inaugural "Heal" Retreat took place in February 2026 and ran for five days. Participants stepped away from their usual routines to focus on rest, reflection and recovery. According to organisers, attendees reported improvements in energy levels, stress and mental clarity during the programme.

Following the initial event, the Aerial, BVI, has announced that the next "Heal" retreat will take place from October 14 to 18, 2026. The programme will welcome a new group of guests to the private island for another five-day experience centred on wellbeing and holistic health.