Retreat was a Success!

Over the years I have tried a few things to get going with my health coaching, but everything I tried didn’t feel right. It wasn’t right for me and it wasn’t right for those I was trying to help. My intentions were genuine, it just wasn’t the right fit. I love helping people which I think is obvious with my 27 year career in law enforcement. I want to help others with their health too and be able to do that moving into retirement. So many people struggle with physical and mental health issues and if I can make a small dent in that trend then I have been successful.

A few months ago, when I was getting ready for bed, I did some deep breathing and I said out loud to the Universe that I want to help others and I need inspiration to do that, then I went to bed. The next morning at 5 am my eyes popped open, I sat straight up in bed and said, “Retreats! That is it!”. About an hour later I got onto Facebook and I saw an add that said something to the effect of pay what you can for a 3 day training on retreats. Seriously? I also happened to be on vacation while those classes were going. That was definitely a sign! I paid a little bit of money, took the classes which was an online all day 3 day event and I learned a ton. The longer I sat in those classes, the more validation I had that retreats was where I needed to focus and add in some classes after the retreat as well.

I then went to Dollartree and they had servicing dishes in my business colors! What? I only found them at the one store and I scooped them all up. I had no idea how I was going to use them, but by golly, I was going to have them. I also went to Target and found super cute little spray bottles and jars. I scooped those up too not knowing how I was going to use them, but I knew they were there for a reason and it was meant to be for me to have them for the retreat.

I set out to plan the perfect 1-day retreat. There were hiccups along the way for sure, but that just made me realize this was the right thing to do and I had to work harder! I created a journal that was special for the retreat. I agonized over the food because I wanted it to be perfect. My sister volunteered her home. I created a little healthy cookbook that was just for the retreat goers so they would be able to go home and start creating in their kitchens. I typed up a couple of cheat sheets about food that they could refer back to regularly. I made homemade hand sanitizer so we could be safe. I made little folders for them to hold all of their goodies. Teaching about deep breathing, journaling, cooking and vision boards was the easy part! I know that looks like a weird combination. Trust me, it all flows together! I wanted these ladies to have an amazing experience and make the day just about them!

I cannot explain to you how much joy I felt yesterday. Watching these women interact with each other, laughing, crafting, learning and sharing their stories that came from the deepest parts of their souls brought tears to my eyes and filled me with so much love for them. I am teary as I type this! Every single person has been through sh*t and having them open up and share that with us all was awe inspiring. They wrote in their journals and started the journey of digging deep inside to start healing from their past hurts. They created their vision boards which was a self-reflection journey as well. One of them was scared of the vision board and it ended up being one of her favorite parts. The women were texting the group in the middle of the retreat offering to be there for each other. 10 women shared and bonded and no one left there feeling alone.

I will continue to say this until I leave this earth, health is not just about diet and exercise. Those are important for sure, but health is so much more than that. It is finding balance in every single aspect of our lives. If we are struggling with something, it doesn’t matter how much we exercise or diet, it won’t help. We have to deal with our past traumas and with the stuff we got going on in order to be healthy. Also, good health is not an end game, it is a journey. One we have to work on every day. Some days it is easy and some days it is hard.

I want to help you on your health journey. Why? Because I love you. I may not know you yet, but I love you and you are worth it! I hope to see you at the next retreat!