Retreat Purpose

I thought I was happy. I had it all. I thought that as long as I did the "right things" in life — school, marriage, raising kids, work, health, relationships, paying off my credit card bill every month — I had mastered living life.

As a competitive gymnast in my childhood and as an adult who completed the Ironman World Championships, I thrived on perfection and independence. I continued to defy what my family, heritage, and society kept telling me: "You can't do that," "It's not for you."

I kept listening relentlessly to those voices, over and over and over again, until I could not listen anymore. My body broke down, my relationships started to fall apart, and I was losing a deep part of myself that I had never learned how to take care of.

That's when I decided to hire a life coach and got the support I needed to see myself and my choices through a different lens. I'll never forget when she paused my crying and complaining and said directly, "Unless you've exhausted all of the possibilities that are within your control, you are the problem, Emily."

I was shocked and taken aback — and kind of relieved at the same time. It was up to me to live the life that I wanted. And I had to do the work.

After some time, I started treating myself more kindly, stopped beating up my body, worked through my addiction to seeking happiness outside of myself, and transformed my relationship with myself and others. I started to appreciate the interconnectedness of all my life experiences that led me to who I am today.

I now know that I can count on myself to be creative with any circumstance that life brings me. And for that, I am empowered and grateful.

For over a decade, I have dreamed of offering this retreat to women who have been looking to invest in themselves in a similar way. This could be the one you've been looking for. If so, I can't wait to help you open your life up to reclaiming yourself and reclaiming your joy!