For this month’s LSA Workshop Series, we had special guest Ian-Michael Hebert.
Ian-Michael is a visionary leader and co-founder of Holos Global, where he merges ecological stewardship with transformative wellness experiences. With a background in architecture and sustainable development, he previously served as the Director of Projects at the Esalen Institute, leading the campus renewal initiatives to rebuild the facilities. He also holds a Master's in Counseling Psychology and Community Mental Health from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Today, Ian-Michael continues to inspire through his work at Holos’ first site, in the Diamante Valley of Costa Rica, where one can find a blending of indigenous wisdom with modern approaches to healing and sustainability. His commitment to fostering deeper connections between people and nature has made him a respected figure in both the wellness and sustainability sectors.
What does it take to bring a vision for sustainable living into reality?
I sat down with Ian-Michael Hebert, the founder of Holos, for a conversation that left me both grounded and humbled with the realities of building a land project today. Holos is more than just a retreat center or an eco-community—it’s a living experiment in how humans can steward land and culture with deep respect, and its a work in progress. Its the responsibility now of all the stakeholders and team.
In our call, Ian-Michael shared his journey from a childhood in Alaska to creating a 200-acre sanctuary in Costa Rica’s Diamante Valley. His story isn’t just about land development; it’s about listening to the rhythms of nature, honoring indigenous wisdom, and cultivating the patience to let something organic emerge.
Here are some highlights from our conversation—and reflections on how these lessons might serve anyone seeking to live, create, or lead with integrity.
The Vision Behind Holos
Ian-Michael’s dream of sustainable living took root early. Growing up in Alaska, he was steeped in back-to-the-land values and self-sufficiency. After years studying eco-resort design and psychology, and working at places like Esalen, he landed in Costa Rica’s Diamante Valley—a region of abundant waterfalls and rich agricultural potential.
Since founding Holos in 2018, and is a 200-acre property with over 6,000 fruit trees and natives planted, 40 residential homesites, and built a 25-bed retreat center. And yet, for Ian-Michael, Holos is as much about inner cultivation as it is about external development.
“You can’t impose your will on the land here. You have to listen first—to nature, to the people, to the history of the place.”
Key Lessons from the Journey
Honor the Land and Its People
Holos is in the process of integrating with local culture in ways that feel deeply intentional—from hosting traditional sugarcane processing events to collaborating with indigenous groups to preserve language and art.
Choose Partners Carefully
Building an eco-community is about more than shared resources; it’s about shared values and what Ian-Michael calls a "generosity of spirit."
Adapt to Nature’s Rhythms
Costa Rica’s lush but unpredictable landscape demands a flexibility and patience that many developers lack. This isn’t about conquering the land but co-creating with it.
Balance Idealism and Pragmatism
Holos has learned to hold its vision lightly enough to respond to practical realities—from retreat operations to resident needs—without compromising its core principles and values.
What This Means for Us
As I listened to Ian-Michael, I couldn’t help but reflect on the broader lesson: bringing a vision to life requires devotion and patience. It’s not about forcing outcomes, but about cultivating the conditions for them to emerge.
It’s also about understanding your local context, your neighbors and the people who were there before them. This involves asking questions, engaging in dialogue, and co-creating learning experiences with locals where there’s a shared connection.
Whether you’re building an eco-community, starting a business, or reimagining your life, Ian-Michael’s story is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and align your actions with something larger than yourself.
The Land Steward Alliance is where we gather monthly as a diverse group of stakeholders ranging from Project Founders, to Architects and Builders, Non-Profits and Investors alike—supporting one another in this journey of building thriving, resilient projects and lives. If you want to be part of these conversations, come join us.
Additional Resources
If you are interested in the subject matter of interdependence, resilience, and the future of humanity - check out: Dear Future Human from Ronit Herzfeld.
To Your Thriving Vision,
Ed
Founder, Live the Possibility
