Madison Elyse’s path to Mallorca was anything but straightforward. Raised among lakes and pine trees in rural Minnesota, she left home early, struggled through her first attempt at university life, rebuilt herself through work, travel and yoga, and eventually found her way to the island almost by accident. What she wasn’t expecting was how quickly Mallorca — and particularly Pollença — would begin to feel like home. Today, as founder of Madison Elyse Yoga & Adventure Retreats, her story is less about escape than about finding community, purpose and belonging far from where she started.
You left home young, studied in several places and travelled widely. How did your early years shape who you are now?
I was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota — the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” — surrounded by nature and pine trees. I graduated from high school a year early and left home at 17 to attend Concordia College in Moorhead. Looking back, I wasn’t ready. I struggled, failed several classes and eventually dropped out.
I spent a few years partying too much before deciding, at 21, to return to education with a very different mindset. I studied for two years at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, worked extremely hard, and earned the grades I needed to transfer to the University of Minnesota, where I completed a degree in English Literature.
My parents were a strong influence throughout this period. My mum, Daphne, is a registered nurse and clinical consultant who later moved into eldercare technology. She’s kind, creative and full of ideas — she recently bought a sailboat and is determined to learn how to sail. We’re very close. My dad, Chris, is a defense attorney in Minnesota and an avid outdoorsman. That connection to nature definitely stayed with me.
As a child, when asked what I wanted to be, I’d always say “famous”. Famous for what, I had no idea. I haven’t achieved that particular goal!
What is your profession, and how did you end up choosing it?
In my early twenties I was living in Chicago, working 50 hours a week at a marketing firm. One perfect summer day, I found myself staring out of the window thinking, “This can’t be all there is.”
Within a few months, I quit my desk job, trained as a yoga teacher, opened my own marketing business, ended my relationship, and booked a one-way ticket to Spain. For the next four years I travelled constantly — from Vigo to Tenerife, the Cayman Islands and Costa Rica — teaching yoga and doing marketing work for clients around the world.
I chose marketing because I was good at it. I chose yoga because it changed my life. Yoga gave me the confidence to chase my dreams, make crazy decisions, and — most importantly — love myself enough to fight for what I wanted.
This year I launched Madison Elyse Yoga & Adventure Retreats, which allows me to combine business, yoga and travel. It’s a dream come true.
Why Mallorca? How did you end up here?
My husband and I moved to Mallorca from Girona last July. He’s a cycling guide and spends up to 20 weeks a year leading tours in the Tramuntana, and I was tired of him being away so much. At the same time, I was looking for somewhere to build a yoga community, and Girona never quite felt right. I wanted a real community, full of wonderful hippies who would listen to my crazy ideas and love me for who I am.
Where do you live, and why there?
We live in Pollença, about 30 seconds from Be Happy Yoga Studio, where I teach. Before moving, I came to Mallorca for a few days to explore, as I’d never been here. My husband suggested I spend an afternoon in Pollença — and I fell in love.
It’s small, calm and nestled between the mountains and the sea. I’ve lived in big cities, but I’m a small-town girl at heart.
What were the main difficulties after moving?
The first few months of teaching yoga were tough. It took time to find people who wanted yoga in English and connected with my particular style. After about six months, I finally felt like I’d found my people.
On a practical level, the most difficult thing was getting license plates for a car we bought in Germany. We saved money by driving it to the island, but it took almost eight months for the plates to be approved.
What was most complicated about the move itself?
Our belongings arrived while my husband was away working on a cycling tour, so I had to unpack everything alone. On the bright side, I had it all done in three days.
What do people in the United States know about Mallorca?
Very little, honestly. Most people don’t know where it is. Those who follow celebrity culture might have heard of it, but the average person wouldn’t be able to find it on a map.
And what stereotypes exist?
Among those who do know it, Mallorca is often seen as fancy and exotic.
What surprised you most about Mallorquíns?
How kind, warm and welcoming people in Pollença are. People are genuinely happy to talk with me and teach me things — which is great, because I love to talk and practice my Spanish.
My first Patrona festival was also a revelation. The strength of community and connection to local culture was something I hadn’t experienced before, and something I’d been missing.
What kind of social circle do you have here?
I spend a lot of time with my yoga students and the English-speaking community, but one of my closest friends is from Pollença. She’s flying to the US to stay with my mum in Minnesota this September. We’ve taught each other a lot about our respective homes.
How does communication differ from where you’re from?
In Minnesota people talk about “Minnesota Nice” — everyone is friendly, sometimes to a fault. People will say “no problem” when there actually is a problem, but they won’t say it directly. Here, people are much more direct. They say what they mean, and there is no hidden agenda. I really appreciate that.
Why would you recommend moving to Mallorca?
Mallorca feels like an oasis in a chaotic world. I feel far removed from what’s happening in the United States. The quality of the food here is fantastic; I love that I can buy almost everything locally and support Mallorquín business owners. There are endless days of sunshine, mountains, and the sparkling sea. A rich culture with endless traditions to explore. What more could you want?
In what ways is Mallorca better than other places you’ve lived?
For me, it ranks highest in terms of community, healthcare, safety, weather, and access to flights back to the US and Canada.
What is your goal in life?
In yoga we talk a lot about dharma. My goal is to help people fall in love with themselves, their lives, and the world around them.
