Our Incredible Team
Dr Sophie Almeyda
Sophie studied medicine in London in the 90’s at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals and then worked as GP in London and Berkshire before leaving the NHS (the UK’s health service) and relocating to Ibiza in 2014.
The lack of time spent with patients in a normal GP setting means many problems are simply masked with a prescription to temporarily alleviate symptoms. Often little is known about other aspects of patients lives, stresses, diet, addictions, relationships, exercise, sleep quality, past trauma etc. This was one of the reasons why Sophie opted for a lifestyle change and a move into natural plant based medicine.
Ibiza is a unique place and home to many people who have sought a place to initiate change in their lives. The island has so much to offer anyone interested in nature, health and spiritual well-being. Having more time on her hands Sophie has spent her time studying nutrition, alternative medicine approaches and numerous health courses.
The realisation that a prescription should really be the last option in many cases became one of the most apparent things that is not taught in current medical training. Medical students have around 1 days training in nutrition during a 5 year course.
Sophie herself no longer entertains prescription medications unless absolutely necessary and her personal health issues have been resolved by better nutrition and supplementation. She is very excited about helping people fuel their bodies to better health. Sophie is a leading promoter of Vitamins D3 & other supplements as a simple way to maintain excellent immunity from many illnesses.
David Poole
Having had a very successful career in real estate in London, David was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer 10 years ago. He was shocked and devastated by his diagnosis and was depressed and in denial for months.
But then a Damascus moment arrived and he wanted to survive, he desperately wanted to live. David started his own personal journey to health, healing and happiness and moved to Ibiza 8 years ago.
Having realized the power the body has to heal itself when given the right tools to do so, David has spent many years sharing his knowledge and experience with others. He has helped clients heal from a range of medical conditions including; cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, depression, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and colitis and cardiovascular disease.
Specifically David has helped over 400 clients heal from cancer and he is passionate about sharing his experience and knowledge with others at The Sanctuary.
He is looking forward to helping people change their lives for the better and to work with such a professional group of alternative thinking healers and therapists.
David is excited to be able to share the incredible program we have created to help detoxify your life and set you on a bright new path.
Michelle McLaughlin
UK-born Michelle McLaughlin founded her business out of deep appreciation for the transformative power of bodywork.
Michelle has always had a burning curiosity for the intricacies of the human body and energy. Trained in martial arts from a young age, this has perfectly complemented her work with body mechanics and energy.
After traveling through Central America, Michelle serendipitously began working as a massage therapist and spa manager in a premium spa on a Panamanian archipelago. Four years later Michelle moved to another paradise island - Ibiza - establishing herself as one of the White Isle’s most sought-after holistic practitioners.
Michelle and her team travel globally to the finest locations by request as visiting practitioners working with trusted clients, hotels and partners.
Michelle has extensive training in the following modalities:
Chikung instructor and energy worker
Myo-skeletal alignment practitioner
Acupressure and deep work
Lymphatic drainage
Anatomy and physiology
Advanced Thai massage
NLP practioner
Reflexology
Aromatherapy
Marma head and face massage
Swedish massage
Aquatic bodywork practitioner
Shaina Maree
Namashai - A master qualified breath work facilitator as well as qualified yoga and meditation teacher will take you on a journey deep into the subconscious mind for an altered state of consciousness and natural high using sound technology and special traditional breathing rhythms. A one of a kind type of session where you can expect to be blown away. In this session we work direct with the science of the human vessel to boost immunity and look after cardiac strength as well as the energy system of the body, subliming energy from the root chakra up to the crown and activating the pineal gland for the natural release of DMT and outer body experiences. We work with the science of the body to go deep into cellular healing and also work deeply in the subconscious mind to release any negative thought patterns as well as releasing stored trauma and tension.
Christine Jeffery
Christine started her career in nursing in the 90’s, first in emergency medicine and then moved to cardiothoracics and finally to a day surgery unit before qualifying as a Cardiothoracic Specialist Nurse in 2006. Christine loved the daily rush of working on a busy ward and found her work extremely rewarding. In 2015 she lost her husband to cancer and after nursing him for 5 yrs she studied hard to find alternative medicines and approaches which she knows bought him 3 more years of a decent quality of life with her. Christine made the decision to move to Ibiza where holistic medicine and alternative treatments are widely accepted and easy to find. She finds the lifestyle is relaxed and believes the island provides a calm loving hold that helps people to heal from their ailments should they be open to allow it.
Christine’s focus on healthy living and alternative medicine is the focus of her clinic in Ibiza now, especially with clients suffering from various problems post Covid whether it be post infection or simply due to the stresses of the past 2 years. Vitamin injections and infusions are becoming very popular and these can be enjoyed at The Sanctuary for those who would like to incorporate them into their program. Christine will be involved in assessing your current health on arrival at The Sanctuary by means of a health questionnaire, blood pressure monitoring, urine analysis and blood work to help look for any deficiencies that need addressing.