Sampo Kaulanen tells Iltalehte about his retreat experiences.
A few years ago, Sampo Kaulanen’s life was in a very different mess than it is now. Kaulanen proved his big change a few days ago with a couple of pictures posted on his Instagram.
More than five years ago, there was a period in the entrepreneur’s life that Kaulanen himself describes as “crazy”. A lot of booze was consumed and Kaulanen controlled his emotions with it. The background had been, for example, the father’s suicide in 2016.
– I’ve never really been able to handle my emotions. Having spent his childhood in Lapland, he never learned about emotions or how to handle things there, Kaulanen says.
He remembers watching as a child how the “village guys” drank to both sadness and joy. The habit also stayed with Kaulasen for a long time.
In May 2021, Kaulanen made a decision. He went to Colombia for his first ayahuasca retreat.
Ayahuasca is a general name for the traditional herbal drinks of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon region. It is used for traditions for purposes and improvement.
Ayahuasca’s active ingredient dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is classified as an illegal drug in Finland.
Ayahuasca retreats are organized by several entities. Kaulanen has been to Colombia and Costa Rica, among others.
According to him, Kaulainen’s first retreat was terrible. There was no improvement, only the snuff was gone.
– Alcohol consumption has not yet started. Then I continued drinking, and then the drinking was always such that when I drank the booze, I drank it to the point of passing out, says Kaulanen.
Sampo Kaulanen has participated in several retreats. Sampo Kaulanen’s home album
Hell of a night
Half a year after the first retreat, Kaulas had his last touch down.
– Minttu had been a bit sick then and I still showed up, Kaulanen says, referring to his spouse Minttu Kaulasen.
Kaulanen went on a retreat this time to Costa Rica. The goal was to get rid of the booze.
At the beginning of the retreats, according to Kaulanen, there is a moment of consultation with the entity running the retreats. Kaulanen arrived with a hangover and having sold his land.
– I was totally screwed. I cried myself to the point that I don’t want to take this job anymore. Damn it, everything has been tried, AAs, therapies, religions and churches. Everything is broken and still you can’t quite figure out why it’s being used, Kaulanen recalls.
The leaders of the retreat told Kaulasen that they would take this into account. Kaulanen was the first to enter the ceremony.
– That’s when they drank the ayahuasca in the face and it started. I had one of the most hellish nights I’ve ever had, Kaulanen describes.
The same party continued for several nights.
– I vomited such black shit out. In practice, twelve hours straight of an absolutely satanic mood, Kaulanen says.
During the ceremony, Kaulanen says that he saw the reasons why he has been drinking. Looking back, he talks about the forgiveness and rebirth that came with the retreat experience.
The cap has remained closed since then.
– It is such a blessing for which I am forever grateful.
Sampo Kaulanen has been on drips several times during his retreats. Picture from 2022. Sampo Kaulanen’s home album
Fitness regimen
The last time Kaulanen was on retreat was in February. He describes the trip as heavy.
– All four evenings were just vomiting, Kaulanen says.
He says that at the retreat he was reminded of the well-being of his own mental and physical body.
– Now that the resort was built, I haven’t taken care of my health. I’ve been eating all kinds of crap and binged on candy, so the weight started to increase that winter, Kaulanen says.
After the retreat in February, Kaulanen has focused on his diet in a new way. He rhythms his diet so that he eats breakfast well. Kaulanen has eliminated excess carbohydrates.
Kaulanen has also taken on the challenge of fitness. Kaulanen says that he sent Matias Petäistö a message and asked if he would start training from Kaula.
– He got excited about it and drew up a fitness plan for me. I have then ripped iron and run according to the instructions, and his teachings have worked really well. I like it when he messages me quite often. However, he is such a big guy, so he stays involved in the guidance, Kaulanen says.
Sampo Kaulanen admits that retreats are not risk-free. Sampo Kaulanen’s home album
Criticism
Kaulanen talks about his retreats in a positive tone and is leaving for Colombia again the day after the interview. He also says that the last retreat was exceptionally accompanied by cameras, where content from the ceremony was filmed for the reality series about the life of Kaulanen and Minttu’s wife.
Kaulanen does know that Ayahuasca does not only cause positive feelings in everyone.
– A lot of people lump it in with taking drugs. Then I’ve noticed that in some religious circles it’s considered messing with devils. They sometimes send quite harsh messages, Kaulanen says.
– Then there are those who just acknowledge that what the hell are you talking about with them. That why don’t you just have a drink and be satisfied.
Kaulanen wants to emphasize that he does not want to promote ayahuasca or urge everyone to try it.
– I know that these are a damn fierce set. You never know how anyone will react. And when there are so many of these providers, I also know that there are places where it is not necessarily terribly safe, Kaulanen says.
Kaulanen says that he has also received feedback saying that he only goes out to enjoy drugs. However, recreational use is far from ayahuasca, according to the entrepreneur.
– I know quite a lot of other substances that you might get more fun out of. That is far from enjoyable, says Kaulanen.