I’m 4 weeks into this training, and so far it’s been a wonderful experience. I have always had an interest in facilitating cacao ceremonies but wasn’t sure where to start. The information shared in this course is absolutely fantastic. Soul Lift Cacao is also a beautiful brand, offering the best quality ceremonial cacao I’ve ever had. I highly recommend.

Where do I begin…

I’m a yoga teacher and sound bath practitioner. I was looking for something to add to the toolkit because, as Nick also says, each person needs a different medicine and I thought it would be lovely if I had something else in the bag to offer. Here is how it’s going:

The first sip… “Okay, why is he speaking so slowly?…Weeeell…Why exactly do I need a faster delivery? Where do I need to be anyway? What would be the point of speeding up intake? Ah, the judge is here. Salty. Let’s take a seat, shall we?” Already a lesson within the lesson.

Second sip… “Oh, that’s rich! Complex, yet simple and refined.” Nick addresses his vagueness. It’s intentional. He offers the science and history very concisely and thoroughly. Bites just big enough for you to chew on and respond to in a slow, meaningful way so you actually synthesize the experience and information.

Third sip… “Aw, THIS is the good s$@$% (stuff)! I think Nick might BE the cacao. Lol. Incidentally, the answer to why he speaks at the speed he does is in the third sip/module. And it makes complete sense. This is what it feels like to be aware of someone holding space for you while showing you how to hold space. The magic is unfolding with each taste.

That is pretty much the basic representation of how the modules are progressing for me. I’ve just finished the videos for the third module. Each one has hit different parts of me a lot like taste hits the different parts of the tongue—sometimes bitter, sometimes meaty/umami, sometimes sweet, etc., but like a good cacao, the quality, complexity and clarity come through. The information is comprehensive and “full,” but never overwhelming. They're explored more deeply and intimately through the exercises assigned after each module. I think of it as "therapeutic discomfort" (also addressed in a module). You know how it is, the way a long held yin yoga pose feels-- a little painful from atrophy and in need of attention or like discovering a muscle you forgot you even had. Still sitting with the memory of the first three modules, but very much looking forward to the next sip when the fourth is unlocked. Cheers!

This course is definitely worth the price of admission. I found myself resonating deeply with the philosophies Nick shares, and found the first three modules to be highly impactful in terms of setting the right mindset to enter into the role of ceremonial facilitator. I have completed the first half of the program as of this review, and find the ‘how to’ nature of the middle section of the program to be very helpful, especially for anyone who has not experienced creating or hosting live events. I highly look forward to the last four weeks, as the titles of those modules feel very much aligned to what I wanted to learn in this program.

This 10 week experience deepened my relationship with ceremonial cacao, with the cacao community at large, and with my own budding spiritual framework. I learned not just how to create sacred containers for others, but how to foster moments of reverence just for me, so that my cup is actually full enough for others to drink from. Nick is a flexible and adept educator with a keen understanding of how everyone's approach to spirituality differs, which makes this course material easily applicable to many traditions, many walks of life, and many communities. Avoiding cultural appropriation is a fine line to walk; Nick's years of experience working directly with indigenous Guatemalan communities allowed him to find that delicate balance between giving thanks and paying homage, and creating his own ceremonies that allow Mayan tradition to stay unique to the Mayan lineage. The producers of Soul Lift's cacao want their medicine spread far and wide, but enjoying their generosity ethically and authentically is up to us.

The very concept of a "ceremony" is deconstructed into its component parts and parallels are drawn between all traditions; in truth, all any ceremony boils down to is some combination of community, symbolism, breathwork, movement, music, sharing, and reverence. It's just an opportunity to ground our energy and re-connect to our both our innermost self and our highest intuition, and it can happen either alone in our bedrooms or in a room full of people. Nick challenged us to approach our outward expression of spirituality as a creative outlet, and to delve into the influences, be they cultural, environmental, or spiritual, that have already shaped us individually. We learned how essential it is to honor our own lifelong journeys before assisting others in theirs. Staying true to ourselves is the best and only way to show up authentically for other seekers who come to us for ceremony, and cacao is nothing if not the medicine of TRUTH. If you are at all curious about ceremonial cacao, about holding ceremony, about articulating your spiritual framework to the world, or all of the above, this course, is highly, highly recommended. Endless gratitude for Nick, his healing vision, and his unstoppable work ethic! You are truly doing God's work...

I very much enjoyed the 10-week Cacao Powered Facilitator Course. I came in with a basic knowledge of ceremonial cacao and finished feeling confident and excited to incorporate ceremonial cacao into my life and healing practices. This course provides an overview into the many facets of cacao, including nutritional benefits, plant spirit medicine and energetics as well as introduces one to the principles of group facilitation that lead to creating and holding safe containers and experiences.
I was especially grateful for the conversations around ethical practices with using and sourcing cacao, and am happy to have found a company like Soul Lift Cacao! I look forward to many more cups of cacao and to sharing this beautiful medicine with others.
Thank you, Nick!!