Azhen Sanctuary Live The Off-Grid Dream Review: Permaculture & Off-Grid Living Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

What are the Live The Off-Grid Dream Pros & Cons?

What are the Pricing Tiers of Live The Off-Grid Dream?

You can choose to either pay 3 payments of $137 or 1 payment of $397. You have the option to pause your payment plan for up to 2 months.

Does Live The Off-Grid Dream Have a Refund Policy?

Yes, but only conditionally. Azhen Sanctuary offers a full refund plus $2,000 if you can prove you followed the program exactly step-by-step. Without documentation, the refund is denied.

What Exactly Do You Get in the Live The Off-Grid Dream Course?

The course includes 27 video lessons, step-by-step PDF guides, and a 358-page physical workbook, showing a serious commitment to in-depth learning. It also provides:

• Lifetime access to the self-paced program that includes videos, written text, and step-by-step guides.
• Unlimited updates - These are given for free.
• Access to Facebook and Telegram group.

What Will You Learn in the Live The Off-Grid Dream Course?

This is one of the most comprehensive permaculture agriculture and grid living programs I have seen, and learning everything should realistically take you a few months. This doesn’t include looking for investors, setting up your farm or resort with compatible solar energy and wind turbine, and attracting clients.

Jaymie and Shelby claim that you have everything up-and-running (at least with minimum funding and bare amenities including hot water and basic electricity) by around three months. However, I would take this with a grain of salt. Just because something is open doesn’t mean it’s making a profit.

Realistically, expect to take six months to a year to have a relatively decent farm. This will take even longer if you are planning on having a luxury eco-resort like Azhen Sanctuary that you will rent out as an AirBnB experience.

1. Learn how to find funding for your eco-resort - The Friesen brothers were able to build Azhen Sanctuary with almost no money and bad credit. They share various ways to attract potential investors and sell them your dream.

2. Learn how to communicate value in your dream - When you are able to successfully communicate value, you may have people wanting to donate supplies, rather than cash, for you to achieve your dream.

3. Learn how to create a profitable business - Jaymie and Shelby share their own unique business model that you can copy to create a valuable asset with reliable cash flow.

4. Learn how to create an economic engine - The brothers teach how to create an automated business model so that you can spend more time doing what you love.

5. Learn how to create an Airbnb stay - You are taught step-by-step how to create a one-of-a-kind Airbnb stay that targets a niche market. Whether you want to build a campsite or a retreat center, Jaymie and Shelby offer homesteading insights into what has worked for them and previous students.

6. Learn how to market your “wow” factor - Learn how to measure and create the “wow” factor to easily attract guests. Remember: the greater your “wow” factor, the more likely people will be willing to visit (even if your farm is far away). The brothers teach you how to build an email list and reduce your marketing costs and efforts.

7. Learn how to assess land - You learn how to assess your land properly for your specific needs. This includes what to expect when buying land and creating a power grid or looking for renewable energy sources

8. Learn other financial tools - Learn about mortgage options, unique financing options, and a variety of financial tools to help you buy affordable land.

KEEP IN MIND: Azhen Sanctuary will try to upsell you on this. They work with “select partners that offer easy financial partners and we design custom products with them that meet our standard and are off-grid ready”. Reading between the lines, you most likely will be asked to partner with one of their suppliers to make grid life “easier” for you.

9. Learn practical permaculture practices - The brothers offer practical grid living tips for land management so that you can build a sustainable farm based on your specific needs and what the land can offer you. The module includes regenerative agriculture, earthworks and community living.

10. Learn how to create your own land zones for building - This is one of the simpler off grid living modules and helps you understand how to create your zones for building, planting, grazing, and managing your land, including setting up a power source.

11. Learn what structures you need for sustainable living - Jaymie and Shelby teach you what structures you really need for your specific land and how to develop them efficiently so that you can enjoy sustainable living and reduce your carbon footprint.

12. Learn eco-friendly building methods - You’ll learn how to create a sustainable farm with its own electricity at a low cost, whether that’s from solar power or geothermal for heating or cooling your home.

13. Learn renewable energy strategies - The Freisen brothers will teach you what solar panels to install and where to buy them in person.

KEEP IN MIND: Similar to other courses, you may be “suggested” to purchase your goods from one of suppliers of Azhen Sanctuary.

14. Learn how to create compost toilets - To truly enjoy grid living, you need to know how to make a basic septic tank.

15. Learn more about water catchment - You’ll learn everything you need to know about building wells.

16. Learn about regenerative farming - You’ll learn the basics of growing your own food, including how to make compost and where to get seeds in your homestead. You’ll also be taught how to store your food and other greenhouse options.

17. Learn what tools you need - The Freisen brothers will teach you about the different tools you ned for the various development stages of your farm.

18. Learn how to find caretakers for your eco-village - Here, you’ll learn how to get the best caretakers for your farm or resort and the many ways you can save money.

KEEP IN MIND: You’ll most likely be taught how to gain caretakers by allowing them to live off your land for free in exchange for a few hours of work each day.

19. Learn how to protect yourself from wildfire - You’ll learn how to create effective firebreaks for unexpected events. This is a must for any person wanting to enjoy grid living.

Does Live The Off-Grid Dream Have Additional Course Content?

Yes, though they’re not openly stated, just alluded to. The sales page states you can enter the VIP club and have one-on-one access with Jaymie and Shelby once you enroll, but reviews say that these are added bonuses you need to pay for.

Does Live The Off-Grid Dream Work Anywhere?

It works best in the U.S. and Canada, since most examples and land regulations in the course are tailored to these regions.

Will Live The Off-Grid Dream Work for Non-Farmers?

Yes, but only if you enjoy hands-on, outdoor work. The course is open to anyone, but non-farmers often find the material too technical or labor-intensive.

What Do Students Say About the Live The Off-Grid Dream Program?

You’ll find plenty of good reviews of the program both on the sales page and on YouTube. However, most of them encourage you to pay for “premium” add-ons, such as having VIP access to Jaymie and Shelby. This way, you get to ask them your specific questions and not have to go through thousands of pages of material.

KEEP IN MIND:

The sliding-pay pricing only applies to the basic course. If you want bonuses, you would need to pay a premium.

Who are Jaymie and Shelby Freisen?

Jaymie and Shelby Freisen are the founders of the indigenous-owned retreat, Azhen Sanctuary, in Rock Creek, British Columbia. The brothers have roots in Grassy Narrows Band in Ontario, but their family was affected by the “Sixties Scoop.” which led them to grow up in British Columbia.

100K Month Course

The 100K Month Course is a bundled training program by Jaymie Freisen that teaches you how to create your and launch your own course in 14 days. Included in the bundle are done-for-you website, funnel, ads, and email templates, several marketing courses, and access to the private Facebook group, email list, and more. 100K Month Course Bundle costs $58.20.Here’s a breakdown of what you get:

• Course Creation and Launch Strategy: Lessons and strategies for identifying a profitable course idea and building it within 14 days.
• Customer Acquisition: Techniques for setting up lead generation systems.
• Social Media Growth: A mini-course playbook offering strategies to gain 30,000 followers in 30 days.
• Business Automation: Learn how to work only 2 hours a week by automating your business processes.
• Ads Training: A comprehensive crash course on Facebook and Instagram advertising.
• Done-For-You Services: Pre-made website, funnel, ads, and email templates.
• Community and Support: Access to a private community Facebook group, an email list, and additional support resources.
• Money-Back Guarantee: A unique “$200 pay you” money-back guarantee if certain conditions are met.

What is the Reputation of Azhen Sanctuary?

Before anything, it’s important that you first know who created the Live the Off Grid Dream Course. As I will mention later, the reviews for Live the Off-Grid Dream are pretty good, but the same cannot be said for its course creator, Azhen Sanctuary. The eco-resort faced backlash in 2020, after a damning report by CBC claimed that it had made a fraudulent crowdfunding campaign that cheated hundreds of people of over $60,000.

In a now-defunct Indiegogo campaign, Azhen Sanctuary was offering unique stays (such as hobbit homes and traditional treehouses) for a price to build a natural, eco-conscious hydrotherapy spa.

However, the CBC report mentioned that the online description of the resort used stock internet photos, listed non-existent business partnerships, and described many false claims, including that the eco-resort had a permit to operate in the area.

Azhen Sanctuary’s Response to the Allegations

Jaymie responded to the CBC inquiries by stating that he‌, indeed, used stock images from various locations in California, Colorado, and Australia for projects that were supposedly Azhen’s.

He also admitted that the resort’s pre-fabricated homes, which the campaign had stated were completed, had not yet been purchased. Further, Jaymie said that he would talk to his partners - those who said they didn’t know him at all - to clarify their partnership.

Perhaps, most interesting of all was Jaymie’s admission that aside from a few tents, none of the resort’s accommodations had been built. Still, he insists that nothing in the campaign was fraudulent and that the eco-resort just needed time to accomplish all its goals.

KEEP IN MIND:

This issue was never resolved, though after the CBC report, Jaymie closed his campaign.

Another thing I’d like to add is that on the Live the Off-Grid Dream course sales page, Jaymie and Shelby state that one of the reasons you should trust them is that they were able to get people to “give” them $60,000 worth of donations without even asking (emphasis added). Whether or not this $60k was before or after the campaign can be debated, but it’s interesting that the figure is similar.

Still, it raises the question as to whether this is the “training” you’ll receive once you enroll. Students learn from their teachers, and if the teacher engages in questionable pursuits, the student will follow.

What is the “Live The Off-Grid Dream” Lifestyle?

Living off the grid is not just about going back to nature - it’s a way of life that encourages you to live off the land that you own so that you can spend more time pursuing your passions, while still earning cash to support your everyday life.

For Jaymie and Shelby, it means building your own natural sanctuary, where you eat organic food, become healthier (both physically and mentally), and feel rewarded for your hard work.

Why are More People Looking To Live the Off-Grid Dream?

Modern life and technology has had the inadvertent effect of making people feel more disconnected. Not only that, but modern food is filled with synthetic ingredients that make people feel sick and less like themselves.

When you are living off the grid and enjoy a simple life, you gain a sense of achievement because you get to see the physical results of everything you do, from the food you eat to the buildings you live in.

The Freisen brothers say that with grid living, you also become neighbors with like-minded people who have chosen to detach themselves from the modern world and find peace in themselves.

“Living off the grid creates a deeper sense of community than a lifetime of living in the city. Even when you’re a mile away from your closest neighbor! Actually, our neighbor cried tears of joy and she thanked us for creating a healthy space for people. - Jaymie Friesen”

The Short Term Shop is a short term rental investment company that specializes in connecting real estate investors with off grid properties.

11 Tips for Living the Off-Grid Dream

Now that you have an idea of who Azhen Sanctuary is, let’s consider what you’ll be learning in the course. Before Jaymie or Shelby show you their sales page, they first show you a YouTube video of them giving 11 tips you should consider before signing up.

1. How they bought land starting with no money, no land, and poor credit

They partnered with an investor who shared the same vision as them. From a business standpoint, land is always profitable. However, whereas investors can potentially double their investment in developed land with a tiny house(such as rental properties or condominiums), rural, undeveloped raw land has the potential to quadruple initial investment if it is properly cultivated and managed.

2. How to create and communicate value to keep majority ownership

There are four key steps to consider: Vision, Problem, Solution, and Ask. Jaymie says that you need to be able to communicate your vision to an investor. It’s best if you use your own personal experience: What problem that YOU have or are facing do you want to address with the new land and grid living? This helps you choose investors who understand where you are coming from and prevent future headaches.

KEEP IN MIND:

It is essential that you have a vision. It is not enough that you have a passing fancy in owning land or living an off-grid lifestyle. You must have a passion for it because this passion directly translates to how you will ask for funding.

3. Follow their model

The goal is to create a sustainable grid living model. Once you buy land, you need to create a “wow” factor to generate income (again, this goes back to your “why”). Once you can earn money, whether from people who want to buy your organic produce or weekend backpackers who want a cozy AirBnB, you need to reinvest it back into your land. This creates a cycle, because the more you invest in your land, the stronger your “wow” factor is, which, in turn, earns you more money.

4. Learn how to reduce risk

Across all business models, whether you’re from New York or Nova Scotia, buying land is considered a safe investment. If you can cultivate it properly, you increase its investment value. At best, you own land that produces reliable passive income; at worst, you can sell the land at a profit. And even if the market is terrible and your property value is too low to sell, you are still enjoying grid living and profiting off sustainable and rich land. That’s why gaining concrete, practical strategies through top Airbnb courses is essential.

5. What is the economic engine?

An economic engine is essentially a business that is automated, meaning that it operates even without you being there, and this sparks other economic opportunities as well. For Azhen Sanctuary, they created an Airbnb business, much like a business created by Jorge Contreras , and automated their communication processes with their caretakers. Further, Azhen also sells its organic food to its customers, who are willing to pay a premium price for better, healthier food from grid living.

6. Assess the land before you buy it

Consult an expert and know all your options, particularly when it comes to local laws and any building code necessary to apply for. These can be pricey, but consider it as an investment. You can spend $1,000 now, but save $1,000,000 in the future by avoiding potential challenges in building an off grid home.

7. Wells & waters

If you’re buying barren land with no well on it, you can contact your local drillers or the city and they’ll give you a water map of your area. This way, you can gauge the water table on your potential lot.

8. Where should you buy

This differs from place to place, but in general, try to establish a space that is an hour or so away from the city or where you can easily buy materials or find help, should you need them. If you choose to go to a more remote area, you need to have a very big “wow” factor to encourage potential customers to go to you.

9. Land zoning

You can look at your local government websites to see zoning laws and any permits you need to own your space. This is very important if you are thinking of creating a commercial farm for AirBnB.

10. Land design

Always follow the WAS rule, which is water, access, and structures. Water is the most important thing you should consider. Some beginner investors make the mistake of building roads first before assessing how water flows to their land. You may inadvertently be causing a draught because you placed a hindrance to the natural flow of water.

11. Caretakers and agreements

Consider “hiring” caretakers. For Azhen Sancturary, they had people live on their grounds for free, eat the crops they farm, and enjoy the off grid lifestyle, in exchange for 2 hours of work every day.

Final Verdict: Is Live the Off-Grid Dream Course Worth It?

Live The Off-Grid Dream course is worth it if you already have land, funding, and a deep interest in permaculture. It’s for individuals who are genuinely passionate about sustainable living and ready to commit to the hard work of building an off-grid property. The course offers comprehensive insights into land assessment, permaculture practices, and eco-friendly infrastructure, all taught by Jaymie and Shelby Friesen, who have lived the lifestyle they teach.

However, past controversies surrounding Azhen Sanctuary and the inflated promises of “profitable off-grid income” raise legitimate concerns about its financial realism. The material can be valuable for inspiration and structure. For most, though, the heavy upfront costs, operational complexity, and questionable refund policy make it a high-risk choice for beginners.

If you’re looking for a scalable, low-maintenance business model, local lead generation is far superior. It costs under $100 to start, produces digital assets that rank organically, and delivers 80–95% profit margins without the unpredictability of weather, crops, or constant upkeep.

Is Local Lead Generation More Profitable Than Off-Grid Living and Permaculture?

In my experience, local lead generation is more profitable than off-grid living and permaculture because you earn 80%-95% profit margins on autopilot from digital assets (your sites). You can build a profitable local lead gen site for under $100, which includes domain, hosting, and tracking number. There’s no $20K solar setup or endless maintenance gear. Once a site ranks, it costs almost nothing to keep running. You own digital assets, not fragile hardware, so your ROI compounds fast instead of draining cash like planting a Leyland Cypress where it keeps growing and providing shade year after year with almost no attention. While weather and pests can destroy crops overnight, SEO has patterns you can learn and control. With the right strategy, your sites become resilient income machines that survive algorithm shifts. With local lead gen, there’s no composting, digging, or watering. Your work is setting up systems that run 24/7 online.

Why Pick the Local Lead Gen Business Model

Pick the local lead gen business model because it requires minimal upfront cost, scales quickly, and generates reliable digital income without the unpredictability of physical systems. For instance, my site Huntington Beach Elite Hardwood Flooring 18584 Beach Blvd Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714-364-2223 https://www.huntbeacheliteflooring.com/ generated 12 new leads in under 15 days. I forwarded $29,304 worth of additional revenue to my client’s business, which paid me $2,930.40 in passive income for a 10% commission.

If you’re looking for a more passive income-generating opportunity, I suggest local lead generation. In this business model, you only need to actively work for a few weeks before you can take a step back and reliably receive income each month.