Meet the Team

SoulCentro founder “Chor Boogie” aka Gnyangou is an internationally recognized visionary artist and an ordained Ngnanga (healer and seer) after completing a decade of study and service with the tradition, the rite of passage, and multiple advanced initiations. He has also been ordained at the level of Nima, which allows him to offer full initiations into the Assenguedia Missoko Bwiti tradition at SoulCentro. His Bwiti name, Gnyangou, means the medicine of the sun. Gnyangou is brings his profound dedication to the Iboga medicine, the Bwiti tradition, and speaking truth. His spiritual father is Grand Master Binana, president of the Wise (local chapter of a ngangas’ organization). Gnyangou is one of few Westerners who has been inducted into the Maghanga ma Nzambe, a Bwiti leadership council based on spiritual lineage. Gnyangou leads guests on annual journeys to Gabon.
@gnyangou

Founder Elizabeth Bast experienced the Missoko Bwiti initiation, rite of passage, and immersive traditional Iboga provider training. She is a twice-certified, trauma-informed yoga teacher and has completed the transformational coach certification course for psychedelic medicine integration and addiction recovery through Being True to You. Along with her husband Gnyangou, she traveled to Gabon numerous times to study the traditional ways of knowing. Her Bwiti name is Mbeye, which means the medicine of the river. Elizabeth brings attentive listening, compassion, and deep presence to guests.

Robert Chapman is a seasoned medical nurse who is uniquely qualified through his professional experience for supporting medicine work with the Holy Root. Robert guides guests through our medical intake screening process and consults with our onsite medical support team. He currently works for a stroke and cardiac center. Robert has also experienced the Missoko Bwiti initiation and rite of passage; he draws on 3 years of personal work with the medicine including 3 immersive visits to Gabon and 2 years of medical apprenticeship. His Bwiti name is Ngonde, which means the moon. He brings his medicines of compassion, humility, gentleness, dedication, and steady presence to SoulCentro.

Dr Douglas Rosales brings rich experience with 15 years of service supporting over 2000 people in traditional Bwiti Iboga plant medicine ceremonies with an excellent safety record. He has researched the medicine at length and is uniquely qualified to support healing with Iboga. His background in university psychology studies is an added gift. Douglas brings a sensitive and responsive presence to the work, ever available to support physically, mentally, and spiritually. His personal relationship with the sacred medicine shines through.

Trisha is an entrepreneur, certified yoga & meditation teacher, and mental fitness coach who has worked in the non-profit, social enterprise, and industrial sectors over the last 15 years. Trisha draws on 5+ years of personal work with ibogaine and Iboga and 2+ years as a Missoko Bwiti student facilitator.

As the founder and executive director of The Higher Learning Foundation Inc, Trish has directed HLF’s evolution from a community scholarship program to a wrap-around service that provides mental fitness support and accessible community programming for anyone and everyone in need. Trisha creates and facilitates HLF Mental Fitness Programming throughout Canada.

Aside from dedicating her time to HLF, Trish is also an active philanthropist that supports youth programs, community nutrition programs, and addiction and trauma recovery programs across Canada. Trish is also a major supporter of public art and social justice projects across Canada.

Jimena Granados is a native of Costa Rica. She is currently studying Business Administration, and she is an important part of our management team. Additionally, she has a personal relationship with the medicine. Her integrated wisdom, understanding, and sensitivity is a blessing during onsite care. Guests appreciate her compassion, gentle presence, and attentiveness to detail.

Raul Barquero is a native of Costa Rica. He brings a decade of experience in property management. He has exceptional knowledge of the country’s systems, resources, and legal considerations. He is a community connector, bringing a vast local network to the SoulCentro family. He is an experienced real estate broker and local tour guide. Raul is always happy to help our guests with any needs they may have. Additionally, he has a personal relationship with the medicine and brings deep dedication to his work. With his background and education in real estate, intricate knowledge of Costa Rica, and relations with indigenous groups, he is ideal to consult with on real estate stewardship.

Naweïa Wilder discovered the Holy Root medicine in 2017 in a search for personal truth and began working as an Assistant Facilitator in 2019. Iboga has been her teacher and healer and allowed her insights to remember wholeness after her sister’s passing (brain cancer), cult religious trauma, and sexual trauma. The medicine helped to open a new way of being in the world, safe and at home. She has since dedicated her life’s work and her practice to supporting others in finding their most effective path home to the heart and remembering their light and most natural way of being in the world. She is a kinesiologist, a BodyCode Practitioner, EFT tapping practitioner, and teaches emotional wellness workshops at festivals as well as co-hosts other healing retreats around the world.