We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rikki Van Brackle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rikki below.
Alright, Rikki thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Leaving Home to Find Myself: A Journey into the Unknown
For over 17 years, I served as a police officer with the NYPD. As a rookie with the NYPD, I prophesied that one day I would serve as an intimate partner violence officer—a role I felt deeply called to. Years later, that vision came true as my final assignment before retirement, a role that was both meaningful and demanding, shaping my identity as a protector and a voice for those in need. Ironically, it was in this role as the intimate partner violence officer that I was injured in the line of duty, which subsequently led to my early and unexpected retirement. Suddenly, I was retired, grappling with the loss of the only career I had ever known. For someone who had built their life around service and structure, the question became: what now?
Two months before making the move, I attended a retreat in the jungles of Costa Rica. During that time, Spirit delivered a clear message: I needed to come back and make this place my home. I realized that the life I had built in New York no longer felt like it fit. The concrete jungle that I had always called home felt suffocating, and I felt a deep pull to rediscover myself outside of the badge. That pull led me to make the bold decision to sell and donate all of my belongings and leave the only home I’d ever known and move back to the jungle.
The decision was not without its challenges. I was leaving behind the familiar—my city, my community, and my comfort zone—for a foreign country where I didn’t speak the language and didn’t know a soul. I packed up my life, said goodbye to New York, and brought my two beloved dogs, Carmelo and Jett, with me to start anew. It felt surreal to step onto unfamiliar soil with nothing but trust in my heart and Spirit as my guide.
At first, life in Costa Rica was a shock to my system. The sounds of the jungle replaced the sirens of the city, and the pace of life slowed dramatically. I had to learn to navigate a culture, a language, and an environment that were entirely new to me. There were moments of doubt, moments where I wondered if I had made a mistake. Each challenge became an opportunity to grow, and each fear became a lesson in trust—trust in myself and in the process of transformation.
In the jungle, I found a stillness I had never known. That stillness allowed me to reconnect with parts of myself I had long neglected. I began exploring energy healing and discovered my calling as a traveling Healing Artist. I founded The Butterfly Hippie, a reflection of my metamorphosis, and began offering Reiki, AcuDetox Ear Acupuncture, Access Bars, breathwork and Zumba sessions. I began to volunteer with local organizations and connect with the people of Playa Negra and Puerto Viejo, sharing healing practices that brought us together despite language barriers.
Moving to Costa Rica was more than a change of scenery; it was an act of surrender. I let go of the need to control every aspect of my life and opened myself to the unknown. In doing so, I discovered the freedom to be fully myself—not defined by a career, a city, or anyone else’s expectations. The risk I took in leaving New York was the greatest leap of faith I’ve ever made, and it led me to a life more beautiful and aligned than I could have imagined.
To anyone considering a leap into the unknown, I say this: it’s okay to not have all the answers. Trust the whispers of your soul and the path that unfolds before you. The unfamiliar may feel daunting, and it’s where true growth and transformation happen. I found myself in the jungle, and I know that others can find their own version of freedom if they’re willing to take the risk.
Rikki, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As a traveling Healing Artist, and the founder of The Butterfly Hippie and The Free Woman Project, my journey into the healing arts was born from my own need for transformation and self-discovery. After retiring from a 17-year career with the NYPD—a path that included meaningful work as an intimate partner violence officer—I felt a deep pull to rediscover who I was beyond the uniform. My experiences in that role, witnessing the pain and resilience of survivors, sparked my decision to create The Free Woman Project. This initiative supports the self-empowerment of BIPOC women and girls who are survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, incest, grief, and PTSD, as well as BIPOC female first responders and caretakers of survivors. The goal is to help them reclaim their power, heal, and rebuild their lives through holistic healing, education and resources.
Every healing modality I offer has first been a source of profound transformation for me. From Reiki to Zumba, each practice has helped me heal, grow, and reconnect with my true self. These personal experiences inspired me to learn how to facilitate these modalities for others, so they too could benefit from their incredible power. Becoming a certified Reiki practitioner allowed me to channel this healing energy for my clients, helping them find balance and release in their own lives.
From there, I discovered Access Bars, a modality that works to clear mental and emotional blocks. Experiencing the mental clarity and lightness it provided inspired me to include it as part of my offerings. Similarly, I was drawn to breathwork, which became a vital tool for regulating my nervous system and navigating life’s challenges. Teaching breathwork is now one of my greatest joys, as it empowers others to find peace within themselves.
I also have a deep love for EFT Tapping, which I was guided to by Spirit during an oracle reading I gave to myself. This practice has been a powerful tool for releasing emotional burdens and creating space for empowerment. The simplicity and effectiveness of tapping continue to inspire me to share it with others as part of their healing journey.
My love for movement and connection with Spirit was reignited through Zumba. As a child, I loved to dance, and stepping back into that joy as an adult felt like coming home. When I dance, I feel free, connected, and alive, and I’m passionate about sharing that energy with others. Zumba is more than fitness; it’s a celebration of life and Spirit.
AcuDetox ear acupuncture is another transformative practice I’ve embraced. It offers profound detoxification and healing benefits, and I’ve loved sharing it with the people of Playa Negra and Puerto Viejo, creating a space for community healing and connection.
What sets my work apart is my holistic approach—I weave together energy healing, movement, mindfulness, and intuitive guidance to address the whole person. My intuitive gifts, including speaking with Spirit and using tarot and oracle cards for divination, allow me to offer spiritual insights and guidance that help clients navigate their journeys with clarity and purpose. Whether it’s through a Reiki session, a Zumba class, or a breathwork journey, my goal is to create spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported as they heal and grow.
I am the proud owner of Casa Mariposa, a healing sanctuary nestled in the vibrant jungles of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. This sacred space is where I host my Sparkle Journey Retreats, offering transformative experiences for those seeking to reconnect with themselves, release emotional and energetic blocks, and rediscover their light.
Casa Mariposa isn’t just a place for healing—it’s a haven for healing, growth, and stepping into your highest self.
A full list of services I provide are:
1. Access Bars – Clearing mental and emotional blocks for clarity and balance.
2. AcuDetox Ear Acupuncture – Promoting detoxification and emotional healing.
3. Chakra Activation – Aligning and balancing energy centers for holistic wellness.
4. Custom EFT Tapping Affirmations – Personalized tapping scripts for emotional release and empowerment.
5. Ear Seeds – Non-invasive acupressure for physical and emotional well-being.
6. Flow Breathwork – Breath-centered practices for relaxation, healing, and nervous system regulation.
7. Healy Healing – Frequency-based therapy for energetic alignment and healing.
8. Human Design – Insights into your unique blueprint for decision-making and personal growth.
9. Reiki – Energy healing to clear stagnation and restore balance.
10. Spiritual Consultation – Intuitive guidance and clarity through spiritual insight.
11. Tarot and Oracle Readings – Divination for clarity, guidance, and connection to Spirit.
12. Sparkle Journey Self-Healing Virtual Experiences and Retreats – Immersive, personalized retreats to nurture transformation and empowerment.
13. Zumba – Movement and dance to ignite joy, release energy, and reconnect with Spirit.
I assist the self-empowerment of individuals to heal, transform, and thrive—turning pain into purpose and challenges into opportunities for growth.
I’m most proud of the way my work has touched the lives of others, helping them reconnect with themselves and their purpose. My message to anyone on a healing journey is this: transformation is always possible. Trust the process, honor your path, and remember that every step forward is an act of courage and self-love. The Butterfly Hippie isn’t just a name—it’s a reminder that we all have the power to transform and emerge as our most authentic selves.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
For a long time, I lived in the energy of pouring from an empty cup. I thought that giving all I had, without considering my own well-being, was a measure of love and strength. The truth is, it left me depleted and unfulfilled. I had to unlearn this way of being and embrace a new energy—the energy of the 2 of Cups.
The 2 of Cups is a card in the tarot that represents balance, mutuality, and the beauty of equal exchange in relationships. It’s about honoring yourself as much as you honor others, creating space for connections that are rooted in harmony and mutual care. It’s not just about romantic relationships—it’s about all interactions where energy is exchanged.
Unlearning the habit of pouring from an empty cup required me to make some hard but necessary choices. I had to create wellness boundaries for myself. For some, that meant ceasing communication with certain family members or friends who were draining my energy without reciprocation. For others, it meant no longer going to places I used to frequent because they no longer aligned with my spirit. These decisions weren’t easy, however they were essential for my healing and growth.
I had to pour into myself first. That meant getting quiet, doing the inner work, and realizing that I am worthy of relationships and spaces that honor me equally. It was in this quietness that I rediscovered my own worth and began to embody the energy of the 2 of Cups. I now prioritize balance and mutuality in all my connections. I know that giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin, and neither should come at the expense of my well-being.
I share this because I know so many of us have been conditioned to believe that self-sacrifice is a virtue – I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to choose yourself. It’s okay to set boundaries, to step away from spaces and people that drain you, and to create a life where you are honored and supported. You are worthy of equal give and take. You are worthy of relationships that pour into you as much as you pour into them.
So, if you’ve been living with an empty cup, I invite you to pause, reflect, and start pouring into yourself. When you do, you’ll find that the relationships and experiences that truly align with your highest good will meet you in the energy of the 2 of Cups.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I first arrived in the jungle, I stepped into an entirely new world. Moving from New York City—a place of constant motion, convenience, and familiarity—into the heart of the jungle required me to confront challenges I had never faced before. The lush beauty came with language barriers, unpaved roads that tested my patience (and my car), electricity and water outages that reminded me of the value of adaptability, and a rhythm of life that demanded I slow down and truly listen.
I had to commune with the insects, embrace the rain that seemed endless at times, and navigate the darkness of jungle nights, where the stars illuminated paths I couldn’t yet see clearly. Each encounter—with a neighbor, a challenge, or even my own fears—became an opportunity to integrate into a new way of living.
What I learned was resilience isn’t just about overcoming; it’s about adapting and softening, learning to be in harmony with your environment rather than resisting it. The jungle taught me to trust myself, listen deeply to Spirit, and embrace the beauty in what felt uncomfortable. This journey wasn’t just about surviving—it was about thriving and finding my peace in the wild unknown.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebutterflyhippie.com
- Instagram: the.butterfly.hippie
- Facebook: Rikki M Van Brackle
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikki-van-brackle-985a36298/
- Youtube: The Margarita Room Podcast
- Other: The Free Woman Project
thefreewoman.orgTikTok
TheButetrflyHippieCasa Mariposa
airbnb.com/h/casamariposa-puertoviejo
Image Credits
Casa Mariposa & Beach photos: Ocean Morisset