Damian Chaparro on Quieting the Noise & Rediscovering What’s Enough
Episode Introduction
What happens when we step away from the chaos of modern life and truly listen to ourselves, to nature, to silence? In this deeply reflective conversation, Steve sits down with Damian Chaparro, visionary co-founder of Aro Hā Wellness Retreat in New Zealand.
Together, they explore how our fast-paced, hyper-connected world is leaving us overstimulated and unfulfilled, and how practices of mindfulness, movement, and nature immersion can help us reconnect to what really matters. Damian opens up about the creation of Aro Hā, the challenges of building a regenerative retreat from the ground up, and the philosophy that has guided his work for over a decade: “It’s enough. I’m enough.”
This episode invites you to slow down, breathe, and rediscover the art of living with enough.
About Our Guest
Damian Chaparro is the co-founder and visionary behind Aro Hā, a multi-award-winning regenerative wellness retreat nestled in Glenorchy, New Zealand. With a background in business and technology, Damian left the corporate world to dedicate his life to helping others heal and reconnect through nature, mindfulness, and sustainable living.
Aro Hā has been named among the world’s best wellness retreats, celebrated for its unique fusion of yoga, mindfulness, nutrition, and regenerative design. Damian’s mission is to guide individuals and the planet toward deeper harmony, conscious living, and authentic regeneration.
Follow Our Guest
Website: https://www.aro-ha.com/
Instagram (Retreat): https://www.instagram.com/aroharetreats/
Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/damianchaparro/
Follow Us On
Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/
Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Episode Trailer
01:00 - Meet Damian Chaparro: co-founder of Aro Hā
02:14 - The noise of modern life and our addiction to stimulation
04:10 - Technology, attention, and the burnout epidemic
06:20 - From corporate success to conscious living
08:30 - The leap of faith that led to creating Aro Hā
10:17 - Lessons from discomfort and living on the edge of change
13:12 - Designing a retreat that regenerates both people and planet
16:40 - The challenges of building a vision from the ground up
18:55 - Learning to trust the process and let go of pressure
21:14 - “What’s the worst that can happen?” a mantra for courage
23:13 - Honouring Māori wisdom and the story behind the name ‘Aro Hā’
25:18 - What guests truly need (not just what they want)
27:05 - The architecture of transformation: body, mind, and environment
30:02 - Stories of guests and moments of profound change
31:35 - A daily practice for awareness and resilience
34:12 - Why discipline and delayed gratification build lasting wellbeing
37:20 - Damian’s daily non-negotiable: self-observation
39:00 - The power of the mantra “It’s enough. I’m enough.”
42:12 - Gratitude, laughter, and rediscovering play
43:56 - Regeneration as a way of life within and around us
47:18 - Healing ourselves to heal the world
50:05 - Finding the gift beyond the noise
51:40 - The future of Aro Hā and regenerative wellness
55:12 - The noise Damian has learned to live with and let go of