We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Rios and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Being a girl from the beautiful tropical country, Costa Rica and seeing the large interest to hold holistic festivals there inspired me. I took notice that these big beautiful festivals with amazing topics and great teachers from around the world were, unfortunately all in English and the entry prices were not as accessible to the local crowd. Currently, I live in New York and I’ve always want to go back to Costa Rica and create a Holistic festival for the Spanish speaking community and include the locals by employing local Holistic teachers. My dream was to do this in person on site, but after COVID19 came up, I had the idea to create the festival online and make it accesible to more people beyond Costa Rica.. I contacted one of my friends, Lorena Moscoso, I told her about my idea and she was excited to partner with me on this new adventure. This is how we created Now Fest, a holistic festival gathering twelve different Holistic experts from around the world with a following targeting the Spanish speakers. Now Fest is a celebration of all the wonderful Holistic topics we have always wished we could delve into more and expand our knowing of our inner and outer selves but have always felt we just don’t have the time our are either to late to start. I’m here to tell me/you that its not too late, our time is Now. Join us April 17-18 2021 for a wealth of information given in Spanish on the topics of Yoga Meditation, Conscience nutrition, Purposeful Life, Hormonal health, Law of attractions, Meridian Therapy, Healing Sounds and many more. Join us at @Now.Fest

What should our readers know about your business?
I would say, I am in the business of sharing information through my Blog. Information that not only I wish to know, so that I can continue on the path of creating a more conscious life that includes environmental awareness by living a sustainable, minimal life and self consciousness through the practice of Yoga. Thus encouraging the need to be loving to the self and all sentient beings. What sets me apart from others in this field is that, just like my mentors, I look to always be transparent in my struggles and apprehensions on this journey to where I have come to be now. A motivator of seeking Yoga as a lifestyle beyond the asanas.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have the luxury of living directly across from the last existing natural forest on the island of Manhattan which happens to include the first and existing castle in North America, Inwood Hill Park and Fort Tryon Park. This would be the first of many natural sites I would show my visitors. A definite short ride on the NYC subway to other points of natural beauty would be Central Park’s Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond. Placing us within walking distance or a short bus ride to one of my favorite vegan spots Beyond Sushi on 3rd av and 81 st. If a walk around the artist-centric neighborhood of the west village is preferred, then we could stop and have an amazing sample of vegan Mexican cuisine at JAJAJA Plantas Mexicana. There are plenty of landmarks along the way and I’m sure all that have visited once, will come back again and catch anything they’ve missed.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been inspired by some of the most amazing friends and teaches that exemplify the true meaning of “NO MUD NO LOTUS.” My supportive hubby Jae Rios, for being there to support my ambitions. My Yoga teachers Rose Erin Vaughan and Yoshio Hama that continue to inspire and mold me into the Yogini I aspire to be. My friend Lorena Moscoso, for her amazing dedication to details and helping to make NowFest possible. My friend Gina Castellanos for all her support and her loving encouragement.

Website: simpleyabundante.com now-fest.com

Instagram: @melirios.cr @now.fest

Twitter: melirioscr

Facebook: melirios.cr

Other: email: melirios@simpleyabundante.com TikTok: melirios.cr ClubHouse: melirioscr

Image Credits
Anastasia Karnoupakis

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