Life on a Feel Trip
Ten questions with Becca Jacobs — lead facilitator of The Thyme’s signature retreat, Resonance, and founder of Feel Trip. She is also a lead guide at Othership.
Photo: Kiernan Rome
What are you most curious about right now?
I’m really curious about how music affects the body & human psyche, and when we should be listening to certain types of music throughout the day. For example, I have a morning playlist that starts my day with this serene sense of calm no matter how I wake up feeling. Then in certain work flows, I’ll listen to more upbeat, higher-tempo music to get into the zone. So how does music affect us as humans? What tones and chords create feelings of sadness versus euphoria, even without physical movement, just through listening? And can we use that intentionally to create an emotional journey for people?
What are you listening to these days?
With the recent passing of Bob Weir, I've been listening to a lot of Grateful Dead, specifically "So Many Roads". Feel Trip was primarily inspired by the cathartic and free-spirited affect Grateful Dead music had on people so Bobby's loss feels like a big one. Also lot of Khruangbin and L’Impératrice. It’s happy, vibey music that I love starting my day with. I work out to it, play it when I host gatherings, and it’s the best kind of background music—funky, cool, slightly Euro, almost psychedelic. It lets people talk without being distracted, but it still feels genuinely groovy and alive.
What’s a project you’re working on that you feel genuinely excited about—and why now?
Breathwork. I started with Feel Trip as a music-based movement method rooted in yoga and somatic movement, and then I began to see how deeply breathwork resonated with people. So I evolved Feel Trip into a breathwork method as well that follows the same philosophy: taking people on an emotional journey through music, but this time using the breath instead of physical movement. It’s been incredible to witness. Even the most pragmatic people who are not into mindfulness or anything “woo-woo” experience a session and something shifts. Their world opens up a bit. I’m currently training someone for the Tokyo Marathon using breathwork, and it’s completely changed how he handles stress and focus.
What excites me most is how accessible it is. You can do it anywhere—on a plane, on a walk, on your couch.
Breathwork is simple, but the emotional depth it unlocks is profound. It feels like the breath version of dance: a way to celebrate, process, and feel life more fully.
Photo: Kiernan Rome
What are you learning the slow way?
My facilitation. My breathwork. My movement method. My musical journey. I’m at a point where more certifications aren’t what will deepen my work. Instead, it’s about real-life experience, observing people’s reactions, having conversations about what they felt, experimenting creatively, and being in environments like The Thyme that support that kind of exploration. That slow, lived feedback is what’s shaping me most as a facilitator.
What’s something that’s been unexpectedly delightful lately?
Winter. I’ve never enjoyed winter as much as I have this year...even though it’s been absolutely freezing. There’s something about the extremity of it that brings back seasonality and a natural slowing down. The crisp air, bundling in warm layers, sitting in a cozy apartment with tea.
Winter feels grounding in a way I really needed. Growing up in the Northeast, I think winter is just in my blood. It’s been a beautiful respite from constantly being on the go.
Photo: Kiernan Rome
Give us a humble brag.
I was the fifth-best figure skater in the country at one point in my life :). I can facilitate almost anything. Breathwork, movement, traditional yoga, Feel Trip, meditation, sauna, ice bath, dance, journaling, workshops, even moderating panels. I joke that I have this big “bag of tricks” to pull from. It means I can really meet a group where they are and decide in the moment what’s actually needed. And yes… I can also figure skate and dress up as Elsa if the moment calls for it.
What moved you to tears recently?
Watching the U.S. Figure Skating Olympic Qualifying Championships. For the first time, I felt like I’d really healed my relationship with that chapter of my life. I could just watch with awe and reverence.
The music, the effort, the athletes who work so hard without much recognition, it all hit me at once and I couldn’t stop crying tears of gratitude.
Photo: Becca Jacobs competing at figure skating’s national level
Who do you admire—and why?
Moms. I can barely get through everything I need to do in a day as one person, and mothers are raising children, working, and carrying so much emotional weight all at once. The presence and steadiness of a mother is kind of indescribable. I just have the utmost respect for that kind of strength and care.
What would your mom say about you if we asked her?
Lately she’s been saying, “Every time we talk, you do something more amazing.” It makes me laugh, but it also means so much. She’d probably also say that we have a deep friendship and that we’re constantly learning from and mirroring each other in different ways. I love her so much.
If you had a completely unscheduled afternoon tomorrow, how would you spend it?
Slowly.
A long snowy walk with music in my headphones, an acupuncture session, and then sitting in a cozy café reading a book. I’m very much in a season of slowing down whenever I can, and that kind of afternoon feels perfect right now.
Photo: A snowy day at The Thyme, shot by Alissa Rauner
Join Becca during next Resonance retreat taking place April 10-12 and June 5-7. Event details and booking information can be found here.
You can also find her Monday nights and Wednesday mornings at Othership Williamsburg.
For private events, celebrations, or 1on1 sessions, feel free to reach out directly at beccaejacobs@gmail.com
IG: @beccaejacobs