Darkness Retreats: The Intense Spiritual Journey Captivating the Elite

In August 2025, Traver Boehm, a former bodyguard and MMA fighter, emerged from a 49-day darkness retreat in Italy, where he had spent weeks in complete isolation, meditating and confronting his inner demons. Darkness retreats, which involve living in a pitch-black, windowless "pod" with minimal sensory input, have become a popular trend among celebrities and tech leaders seeking spiritual enlightenment.

While some, like quarterback Aaron Rodgers, have experienced intense hallucinations during their time in the dark, others, like comedian Tiffany Haddish, have found the experience deeply transformative. Boehm, who first ventured into the darkness in 2016 after personal tragedies, says the darkness itself "called him back" for a second, even longer retreat in 2025.

During his 49-day stay, Boehm woke up at 3:30 am each day, meditated, exercised, and "processed" past relationships, all while dealing with intense personal grief and trauma. The experience, he says, was both profoundly challenging and deeply insightful, leading him to a new understanding of himself and his place in the world.