It’s time for a reward.

Crises, war, climate change, and on top of that, the already hectic pace of everyday life. 2026 is tough, don’t you think? To stay strong and resilient, it is important to pause and listen to yourself. Do I feel exhausted? Am I giving too much? It is high time to do something good for yourself and experience reward.

And that is exactly what this issue of our newsletter is about. We explain how our reward system works, take you with us to our equilibrio location in Cilento in southern Italy, and invite you to develop your own reward strategy during the olive harvest and enjoy your personal harvest time. Autumn is going to be beautiful!

how do we experience reward?
and what prevents us from doing so?

Whether or not we experience reward is determined by the reward system in our brain. Chemical messengers motivate us and create positive feelings. Research by neuroscientist Wolfram Schultz at the University of Cambridge has shown that dopamine signals play a key role in anticipating rewards and learning from rewarding experiences. His research on “reward prediction errors” helps explain why expected and unexpected rewards can strongly influence our motivation and future behaviour.

Even in anticipation of a reward, our brain releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which drives us to take action. When we achieve a goal or master a difficult task, the brain registers this as a success and sends a signal of satisfaction. The same deep reward centres are also activated by praise and recognition, as well as by food and financial gain.

However, we often block our own feelings of reward through internal patterns and physical exhaustion. Those who frequently criticise themselves and say, even after a success, “That wasn’t good enough,” deprive the brain of the opportunity to process and celebrate that success. In addition, prolonged stress can make it difficult for us to experience joy. The body is flooded with cortisol, and the dopamine receptors in the brain become less responsive. And last but not least, fear and the feeling of “not deserving” a reward can block our inner permission to experience joy.

So: let’s make sure together that your reward system can work without disruption and that you experience the reward you deserve.

the right place at the right time.
olive harvest in cilento, southern italy.

The mild climate, the sunshine, the sea, and wonderful people who live for and with one another … Cilento creates the perfect atmosphere to slow down and reconnect with yourself. This is exactly why we found our equilibrio location here in this national park in southern Italy.

Our community of Pollica is considered an undiscovered Blue Zone with an exceptionally high number of centenarians and is recognised by UNESCO as the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet. On our land, 150 meters above the sea, there are 120 olive trees – some of them more than 300 years old. Here, we come together to harvest the olives, press our own oil and celebrate life.

Around 2,500 years ago, the famous pre-Socratic philosopher Parmenides lived very close to our location. He explored fundamental questions and formulated the powerful statement: “Being is, non-being is not.” What is real, and what is fake? Questions that are also highly relevant to us and to our authentic personality. The ancient theatre of Parmenides is the ideal place to reconnect with yourself.

come to us, come to yourself and
experience your personal harvest time.

Because everyday life is often too full, too fast and too hectic, it is important to consciously pause and focus on yourself. During our 3-day programme “the time for reward” at our location in Cilento National Park in southern Italy, you will gain new insights, develop your personal reward strategy and experience an immediate sense of achievement during the olive harvest.

Personal Harvest Programme from 04 – 07 October 2026, Cilento, Southern Italy.

liquid gold. our gift to you.

Olive oil is an elixir of life and an important part of the Mediterranean diet. On our approximately 10,000 m² property, there are 120 olive trees. Some of them are more than 300 years old and produce rare white olives. These trees are the source of our extra virgin olive oil. We picked the olives ourselves and cold-pressed the oil.

Sign up for our Harvest Workshop “the time for reward”. If you are among the first three people to register through this newsletter, we will send you a bottle of our premium olive oil in advance, free of charge – to inspire you and activate your reward system.