Marietta Sarigiannidou Dared to Do What Many Only Dream Of

After years of marketing studies, collaborations with large multinational companies, countless work trips, high-stress campaigns, and events, Marietta Sarigiannidou took a different path. She stepped away from corporate life and stepped into her purpose.

Today, she’s the founder of MYND Retreats, an experience-based brand that helps people reimagine their lives and their relationship with work. Her mission? To spark transformation, both personal and collective, through mindful travel and deep connection.

What is MYND Retreats?

“It’s a dream that came to life from a hospital bed,” Marietta says. “When I heard my doctor say, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know if you’ll make it through the night,’ something shifted forever.”

That moment forced her to face life’s impermanence. She asked herself when she had felt truly happy, and the answer came easily:“ At summer camps. In Erasmus programs. In communities that shared joyful experiences. I realized I wanted to create something like that for adults.”

“The first words I ever wrote down were: ‘I want to create something where people come to me as caterpillars and leave as butterflies.’”

And that’s how MYND Retreats was born, an open, global community of like-minded individuals traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations in small, private groups. Each experience is rooted in connection: with oneself, with local culture, and with others.

Mornings begin with mindfulness practices, yoga, meditation, sound healing, Pilates, or energy work, to create space for self-care. From there, participants are fully present for the journey, soaking in every moment.

Corporate Retreats with a Deeper Purpose

“I never really left the corporate world, I came from it. I’ve lived through the pressure, the toxic behaviors, the burnout.”

That’s why Marietta is passionate about transforming workplace culture. Corporate retreats, she explains, are not just team-building exercises, they’re investments in human capital.

“We create spaces where teams can rediscover collaboration, creativity, and connection. Where employees are seen as whole people, not just job titles.”

Are the retreats only for women?

“Women are naturally empathetic and emotionally intelligent, but our retreats are open to everyone seeking transformation, regardless of gender.”

MYND invites anyone ready to reconnect with themselves and rediscover their potential in a setting of shared intention.

What inspired your career change?

“A personal health crisis. It made me reassess my life, my values, and my energy. It gave me the courage to pivot.”

During the pandemic, with time to reflect, Marietta saw that the high-performance, corporate grind didn’t align with her soul’s purpose. That clarity led her to create MYND Retreats, as a way to bring light, connection, and inner transformation into people’s lives.

The Digital Nomad Lifestyle

“At MYND, we’re an all-female team working fully remotely. Being a digital nomad isn’t just a career choice, it’s a philosophy of freedom.”

Marietta’s first retreat was in the Seychelles, at a time when it was one of the few countries open to tourism during the pandemic.

“I thought, Greeks know this place from the vintage song ‘Let’s go crazy in the Seychelles,’ and something about that stuck. That’s where it all started.”

Today, she works from anywhere, Athens, Sweden, Portugal, embracing time zone shifts and cultural immersion as tools for expansion.

Have you ever balanced both a corporate job and retreats?

“Yes, for a short but intense period. It was exhausting but eye-opening. I had to financially support my dream while realizing just how misaligned I was with the office lifestyle.”

What was the hardest thing you had to do to succeed?

“Leaving behind the safety net and choosing the unknown.”

It required courage, self-trust, and 16-hour days to bring her vision to life.

“Every retreat I organize is an act of love and dedication, a mission to help people release stress, heal from within, and reconnect with joy.”

The reward?

“It’s in the eyes of someone saying thank you with tears. That’s when I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

What are the 3 steps you always follow when setting a new goal?

1. Intuitive Clarity

“I listen deeply to my inner voice and define my goal with crystal clarity. I need to know why it matters to me.”

2. Holistic Action Plan

“I design a thoughtful plan with steps and timelines that reflect my values and lifestyle. Flexibility and alignment are key.”

3. Persistence with Intuition

“I stay committed, but I also stay open. I trust my intuition to guide me, even when that means changing direction to reach the goal in a new way.”

Final Words of Advice

“Take time for a retreat. Explore your inner world. Ask yourself what you truly want from life.” “Listen to your needs. Visualize your ideal day. Take small steps toward it. And when the opportunity comes, take it. Without hesitation. These are the moments that turn dreams into reality.”

By Sissy Strempa 

Experienced Journalist

Editor at Marie Claire

This interview was originally published in Marie Claire magazine.