MEET ANGELINA PADRON, Founder OF WELLFEST

Founder of WellFest & Ceremonial Master Chocolatier

In this interview, Creezy Courtoy will introduce you Angelina Padron, the visionary founder of WellFest and a master in the art of ceremonial chocolate. Angelina's journey into health and wellness has been nothing short of transformative, as she beautifully weaves her knowledge of somatic psychology and cacao ceremonies into her community-driven initiatives. Join us as we explore her passion for promoting wellness, her journey to founding WellFest, its workshops and the unique healing power of chocolate rituals.

What led you to create WellFest? When did you start?
WellFest started in July 2023 as a simple yet powerful idea—to bring people together in a meaningful way to explore health, wellness, and community. It all began as a small meetup group with three gatherings to connect with like-minded individuals passionate about raising the vibration of wellness in our lives and beyond.

At the very first meetup, I asked the group, “What if we did a practitioners fair?” The excitement was contagious, and that idea became the spark that led to WellFest. Before diving in, I organized two smaller festivals to learn the ropes and get some practice under my belt.

What truly made this vision come to life was building relationships with the cities we were serving. We wanted to feel like neighbors in their backyard. When I pitched the idea to the city of Rancho Mirage, they embraced it wholeheartedly and even sponsored the event—and that’s how WellFest came to life! It’s been a journey of connection, collaboration, and, most importantly, community.

Can you tell us more about your background?
My journey into health and wellness began about 15 years ago. After moving from Chicago to Palm Springs 8 years ago, I continued working in wellness through the spa industry—until the pandemic changed everything. Like many, I took that time to reinvent myself. I went back to school to study somatic psychology, which deepened my understanding of the mind-body connection. Around that time, I also traveled to Tulum, Mexico, to study cacao. What started as a fun experiment quickly became something much deeper—cacao turned into a powerful medicine that I began incorporating into my work.

I started using cacao in my personal sessions to ground people, pairing it with meditation, and eventually hosting retreats to spread the word about healing modalities and self-love. Alongside this, I launched a wellness community network that grew into a full-scale festival, now serving five cities across the Coachella Valley.

Today, I wear a few hats. I run a chocolate and cacao business, work one-on-one with clients using somatic therapy and mindset coaching, and serve as a bioenergetics practitioner at Best Pain Management under Dr. Scherger, where I use innovative techniques to help clients manage pain with energy. And, of course, I lead WellFest, where I help promote and manage over 50 wellness businesses. It’s been an incredible, ever-evolving journey, and I love every part of it!

During the dinner, you are also doing a Chocolate Ceremony. Can you explain the origin of this ceremony?
Absolutely! The Chocolate Ceremony has its roots in ancient Mesoamerican cultures, where cacao was revered as a sacred plant. It was used in rituals to connect with the divine, foster healing, and open the heart. Fast forward to today, and the ceremony has evolved into a beautiful way to honor those traditions while creating a sacred space for self-connection and intention-setting.
Here’s where it gets fun—we take pure ceremonial cacao and infuse it with herbs and flowers that align with astrology and the plants of the season. It’s not just about sipping chocolate; it’s about experiencing it as a grounding, heart-opening medicine. During the ceremony, we pair the cacao with embodiment meditations inspired by Ayurvedic healing to help participants fully connect with their mind, body, and soul. It’s a delicious and deeply meaningful way to embrace the moment!

What are the purposes of these ceremonies?
It’s all about creating a vibe—a moment of stillness, connection, and just pure magic. Chocolate Ceremonies are designed to crack open your heart, give you that "ah-ha" moment of clarity, and encourage some real-deal self-reflection. Think of it as hitting the pause button on life to soak in the present, set some juicy intentions, and leave feeling grounded and full of gratitude. It’s like a reset for your soul, with a little chocolate love to sweeten the deal!

You quoted: “These brews are served in beautiful tea-style or soki cups, creating an experience of sipping cacao as medicine and healing. The practice is designed to engage the senses, allowing participants to embody and cherish the moment with intention.” Can you elaborate on this?
Sipping cacao from beautifully crafted cups turns something as simple as drinking into a sacred ritual. It’s an experience that engages all the senses—the warmth of the cup in your hands, the rich aroma wafting up, the silky texture as it coats your mouth, and the way it lands in your body, stirring something deep and grounding.

It’s more than just chocolate; it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and remember. The richness of the cacao often stirs up a twist of memory or emotion, connecting you to something bigger. It’s all about savoring every sensation and making space for self-care and meaningful connection—not just with the cacao, but with yourself and the present moment. It’s a little indulgence with a whole lot of intention!

What is the medicinal and healing power of chocolate?
Cacao isn’t just delicious—it’s a powerhouse of medicinal and healing benefits. Known as a heart-opening plant medicine, cacao contains theobromine, a natural stimulant that gently boosts heart function, increases blood flow, and promotes feelings of clarity and calm euphoria.

It’s also packed with antioxidants, which help combat inflammation, support cardiovascular health, and even boost your immune system. On a deeper level, cacao triggers the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, helping to lift mood, ease stress, and enhance overall emotional well-being.

Cacao is also rich in magnesium, which helps relax muscles, improve sleep, and calm the nervous system—making it a fantastic choice for grounding and restoring balance. On an emotional level, it’s a powerful tool for releasing negative energy, fostering creativity, and inviting feelings of joy and gratitude.
Think of cacao as both a medicine for the body and a balm for the soul—a true healing elixir that nurtures from the inside out!

Can you tell us more about a couple of cacao brews you will provide for our evening event?
For this special evening, I’ll be serving two exquisite cacao brews, each crafted with intention and inspired by the healing traditions of ceremonial cacao:

Classic Ceremonial Cacao: This rich and earthy brew features pure, unprocessed firewood cacao sourced from Guatemala. Lightly sweetened with organic honey and infused with the warming spices of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, this blend is designed to energize, ground, and nourish the body and soul.

Floral-Infused Cacao: A heart-centered creation blending ceremonial cacao with the delicate essence of rose petals. The roses are infused in 11.5 pH water, brewed into a fragrant rose water, and then perfectly paired with the cacao to create an uplifting and soothing experience.

Each sip is a journey—an invitation to connect with the richness of cacao, the energy of the plants, and the intention of the moment. These brews are more than drinks; they’re experiences designed to awaken the senses and nourish the spirit.

Join us on January 11 for the Scent of Healing workshop 
Register for the Free Natural Perfumery Workshop 
Register for the Dinner and the Chocolate Ceremony with Angelina Padron