Meet Shawn.

For two decades, Shawn lived at the sharp end of storytelling—working as a writer and producer in Los Angeles, where the pace was fast and the pressure relentless. Then she did something few do: she slowed down. She moved to Albania, bought 17 acres of wild, untouched land, and began again.

Today, Shawn is the co-founder and curator of Bote Farms, a creative and retreat sanctuary in southern Albania. But her journey from Hollywood to hillside was never linear. A lifelong student of yoga, she spent years immersed in the LA scene, where flexibility was currency and competition masked the deeper purpose. It wasn’t until a serious spinal injury that yoga returned to her, not as performance, but as healing. She trained to teach at 50, blending the rigour of her Power Yoga foundation with the nuance of Vinyasa, Hatha, Iyengar, and Hot House styles. Her classes now reflect her philosophy: strength from the core, and presence from within.

Shawn’s path has always been one of creativity and reinvention. At Bote Farms, she draws from her cinematic roots and her culinary expertise—she’s also a trained chef and the owner of two restaurants—to curate soulful, meaningful experiences. Whether supporting retreat leaders with hands-on production guidance, inviting thought leaders to co-create offerings, or hosting her annual writer’s retreat with guests from Hollywood and the literary world, Shawn brings a rare blend of warmth, precision, and quiet brilliance to everything she does.

She believes the best retreats don’t ask you to escape your life—they give you the tools to re-enter it differently. At Bote Farms, guests leave with more than a glow. They leave with clarity, new habits, and a deeper connection to what matters.

A long-time Buddhist practitioner and passionate advocate for animal welfare, Shawn continues to live and lead with curiosity, compassion, and humour. As she says herself, she’s still practising—until she gets it right.