Retreat Reunion: Where Are They Now?

What's up, you guys? Welcome back to the podcast. I am so excited about this episode because it is one of my favorite conversations that I've had in a long time. This episode was so much fun to record, and I got to sit down with all of the women, or most of the women— some of them couldn't make it— who came to the 2022 Dream Life Immersion Retreat in the Dominican Republic. So it has been 9 months since we gathered on the island, and we decided to design this episode like a reality TV show where everyone comes together for a reunion once the show is over to rehash things and look back on the memories and talk about everything that came up and just unpack everything as a group. And so we got to really see like where these women are now in their lives, the things that have changed for them, the up levels, the growth, what what happened for them on the retreat, after the retreat, the revelations, the things that they least expected to encounter or heal on the retreat, but yet that were so profound. And I think even if you are not interested in retreats or thinking about going on one anytime soon, this conversation is still going to be really expansive and healing for you because we talk about a lot of themes that you guys have probably been going through in your own lives. We talk about the divine redirection of getting fired and what to do after that, and how these women alchemized things like that in their lives and made something amazing out of it. We talk about the courage to move abroad and go to foreign countries and learn new languages. We talk about healing PTSD, losing weight, traveling solo, reconciling with the way that you thought things were going to be, especially when it comes to motherhood and things like that. We talk about them going out into the world and doing amazing things like in-person workshops and vision boarding and bringing mental health awareness into their workplaces and going full-time in their businesses and building and scaling their entrepreneurial ventures. There's just so much juice in this episode. I hope you guys enjoy it. And if you are someone who's been thinking about coming on the Dream Life Immersion Retreat, this will be a great episode for you to just kind of get an insider's look and feel for what it was like for these women, the experiences that they went through, how they felt, what's happening for them now, and all of the things. We only have 3 spots left on the Dream Life Immersion Retreat that is happening this December in the same villa that these women went to, in the same place. We're going to do the same workshops, we're going to do the same deep work that allowed these women to transform their lives. And there are only 3 spots left, and this is our last ever Dream Life Immersion Retreat. So this is your last chance. There is not a next time. The only time is now. And all I can say is that this retreat is so incredible, and you will hear that in the transformations from these women. The retreat has also been featured in OK! magazine, which I always forget to talk about, but like, it's on the website if you want to click on it and read the article.

It was featured in OK!

magazine, and there's just so much magic. I'm really excited to see who the last 3 women are going to be who decide to join us on this retreat. I can promise you that you're going to be expanded like never before. You're going to be invited to meet your edges and asked to do things and explore things in ways that you haven't tested or tried before. We're going to awaken a whole world of possibilities that lives within you. We're going to release what no longer serves us and powerfully call in our dream realities together in the most magical location. This is an all-inclusive retreat experience, so the cost of the retreat covers absolutely everything. It's 5 days, 4 nights accommodation in the most amazing luxury beachfront villa. The views are absolutely incredible. It's like nothing you've ever seen before. There's over 20 bedrooms in this place. It is massive. It also includes your airport transportation between Santo Domingo and the villa, all of your meals, all of your beverages, morning yoga classes every day, twice daily workshops and embodiment sessions, breathwork with Susie, which is going to change your fucking lives. Group excursions like a guided waterfall hike, cacao ceremony, and more. This retreat is jam-packed and it will change change your life. So if you are interested, scroll down to the show notes below this episode and click the link to go check out more of the details, or send me a DM on Instagram if you would like more details. If you're interested in payment plans, we do have that as an option as well. There's only a few weeks left to secure your payment plan for the retreat, so if you're interested, reach out now. Don't wait. I can't wait to meet you. Welcome to the Makeshift Happen podcast. I'm your host, Samantha Daly. Entrepreneur, life coach, and your no BS bestie here to bring you all things mindset, manifestation, and personal development. This podcast is designed to help you expand your mind and uplevel your life. So turn the volume up and roll the windows down if you're coming along for the ride. Let's go make shift happen.

Welcome, you guys! This is so much fun to like see all of your faces. So this is our little retreat reunion. We're bringing everybody back together to see where they are now, what you're doing, what you're up to, rehash some of the memories, and just, yeah, talk about our experience on the retreat and catch up with everyone. So Welcome to the room. I'm so excited to see all of you. It feels like so much time has passed. Like, I feel like I've lived a lifetime between the retreat and now, but also I could take myself back in like a second and be like, wait, that was yesterday. I'm sure you all feel the same. This year has been wild and crazy and so much has happened. I'm sure there's been like lots of changes and uplevels and upheavals and things going on for you guys. So I'm excited to dive in. So yeah, let's just kick off with like, where are you guys now? What is going on in your lives? Has anything changed for you or upgraded in your life since the retreat? Or do you have any like exciting news or things coming up that you want to share? I'll kick it off.

Um, I'm not sure if you guys remember this, but one of the exercises and activities we did on the retreat, one of the visualizations, um, I had talked about how I've always wanted to move abroad and saw myself in Italy and going to Milan Fashion Week. And I am actually planning to move to Milan next month. So I've had a lot of things going on this past year. Um, but ever since the retreat, you know, I feel like that vision really came through to me. And so I kind of made that decision when I was there and you guys were so supportive and that kind of gave me the energy and the belief to actually follow through with this. So then I came home and I started to, you know, talk to my family and everything. And then I unexpectedly was laid off from my job in January, but I kind of took that as a sign to go forward with this. I also— I'm not sure if I opened up to the whole group about this or just to people one-on-one, but I came into the retreat shortly after a breakup with a long-term boyfriend. So I was in a 7-year relationship. And then after that, I was really thinking about moving abroad because it was something I always talked about. And then when I got laid off, even though it was all these doors closing, I felt like it was God in the universe making this decision of, okay, you want to do this, now you need to take the steps, and I'm closing all the doors for you to be able to open this one. So it's been a ton of changes. I actually moved out of New York, which was super bittersweet because that's also— that was a life goal of mine, and it still is. I see myself there long term, um, but I knew that that was the first step in order to chase this dream. So I'm at my parents' house right now spending the summer in Pittsburgh. I have an appointment at the New York consulate for my visa on September 11th. And then that's kind of like the last puzzle piece to see how long it takes for them to get my visa. It could be 2 weeks, which I'm hoping, cuz my goal is to move by the end of September. It could potentially take 3 months. Um, so I, I would be a little disappointed in that, but Everything happens for a reason on the right time. So I'm just trying to keep the faith with that. Um, I'm freelancing for some magazines and doing some contract work right now. So the goal is that one of those leads to a full-time job. Both companies are abroad. Um, so still a lot of moving pieces, but this is the furthest I've been along in the journey and I feel like it's finally within reach. Um, so I was really excited to, you know, talk to you guys about that because you guys were really the, the reason I was able to kick off actually chasing this dream and making it a reality.

Oh my God, I'm so excited for you. Italy is gonna be such a dream. I think there's like some parallels here too, maybe with Jen had like a also weird kind of like layoff situation that was a universal push into like the dream that she wanted to chase that she saw in her visions on the retreat. I don't know if you want to talk about that, Jen, but I was like drawing that parallel like Whoa, that's kind of spooky.

Yeah, it was around the same time as you actually. So on the retreat, I knew I wanted to eventually go off on my own business, but I just kept finding reasons to stay at my job. Um, and then out of the blue, it was just like laid off, and I felt so relieved when I got the call. I was just like, it's actually time to like go all in. And that's what I've been doing. Um, it gave me time to focus on my health, which another part of the retreat I wanted to focus on losing losing weight, and I've lost over 80 pounds, um, since then. And I feel like right now my business is like in momentum. I finally have my own clients and I'm like seeing growth with them. So it just feels like everything is falling together in place like it— I wanted it to. And it's crazy to think it was only last December because it feels like it's been like 5 years. Like if you told me in December all of this could happen, I would not believe any of it was possible.

At that point.

Oh, that's incredible.

I'm so happy for you. I know the layoff, it's like, I was kind of the same way. It was like I had been ready to move on to the next thing, but it's like hard to make that decision and also find the time to work on that when you're working a job full-time. Um, so I know it's also a hard thing, but I'm so happy for you that it turned into something really beautiful.

Yeah, no, it definitely worked. I was contemplating quitting and So then all of a sudden when I decided I wasn't going to quit, I got laid off. So it was just like perfect timing.

Yeah, it's one of those moments when the universe is like, okay, if you're not going to do it yourself, then I guess I'm going to have to force you, you stubborn bitch. Literally. Literally. Oh my God. And then Cass is in Mexico, so she'll— speaking of international moves, that's another thread we can draw.

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Yeah, and I actually like got the vision for it when we were there, of course. Um, it was actually the second time I had that image drop in and I just like saw myself on a balcony in all white, just like staring over the ocean. And the first time that that visual dropped in was the Lion's Gate, and I had no idea that it was Mexico. I had no idea that it would be so soon. Like, none of that was in the works at the time. And then when it popped into my head again during one of the breathwork sessions at the retreat, I was like, why did I not have something new come up? Like, why is everyone having like these brand new breakthroughs of All this shit is coming alive and like, I already, like, am I just bringing this into it because it's familiar? But it was literally just the universe being like, no bitch, like, come back to this and you're going.

Well, and then I loved how you shared on Instagram, like the moment where you realized what that vision was, cuz you didn't know that it meant Mexico when we were at the retreat.

Mm-hmm. Yeah, it was just like somewhere with the ocean. And I literally, when we got here, I wasn't really thinking about like, I need to make this come to life. It was really just like, I woke up because we got here at night. I woke up and went out to the balcony and was like, holy shit. This is what that was. Like, I'm in the vision.

I'm in the vision. Those are the most, like, goosebumpy moments of your life when you're like, wait, like, I'm in the vision. Like, the thing that I saw in my mind is now real.

Like, whoa.

I love those moments.

Yeah. Like, I wasn't even thinking about it really when trying to bring it to life. I thought it was something that way, way future me was going to live abroad and like have fun and live this whole other life. But it's— it was meant for right now.

Yeah, I love that. So, so good. What else is going on for you guys? What's happening in your lives? What are you doing? Where are you? Otto's moving.

Yeah, I was going to say, since we're on the topic of international moves, I'm about to make a move similar to one that you made, Sam, a few years ago when you moved to Madrid. So I'm really excited about that. I also, when we were at the retreat, had like a vision for what I wanted to create in my life after I graduated from college, and I was like really confused about what it was. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to grad school or if I was gonna try and teach abroad because I felt like I was kind of robbed of the like abroad experience during undergrad because of COVID and a bunch of other things that happened in my personal life. So I decided that I'm gonna, you know, go live abroad in Madrid for a year and teach English. And that was something that I didn't really know if it was possible for me to do, not just like financially, but just also like emotionally and mentally. Um, before coming to the retreat and even during it, I was going through like a really rough time, like mindset-wise, and I wasn't really confident in myself, and I was questioning a lot of things about myself and who I was and what I was capable of. And just coming to the retreat, it really showed me like what was possible for me to create my life if I had the confidence and the self-belief to get there. And I think just like being around so many amazing women, like you guys were all doing such amazing things, and hearing about the different steps that you were taking in your lives and your businesses while we were all together, and just the amount of support that I received from you just really confirmed that I really can do anything I set my mind to, and I just have to believe in myself. Because you guys all saw something in me that I didn't see it— my— see in myself at the time. And so it it was just really nice to be able to, to go there and get a taste of what life could be like when I was actually like living abundantly and had the community support behind me and is really leaning into like what it means to just like live in abundance. So I was really grateful to have that experience, the retreat, and then also just like listening to your podcast, Sam. I found you like at a time in my life where I was just like going through it. And so to see myself go from like listening to you on Apple Podcasts to like being in your energy at the retreat and then seeing how all of this stuff has manifested with me starting my own business and my own podcast. It's like you were really the catalyst for a lot of amazing things in my life. So I'm really grateful that I got to have this experience with not only you, but all of you guys too.

Oh, I'm so excited for you. Like, you know, you know, I feel personally invested in the journey to Madrid. I'm like sending her all the things. She like wasn't really telling me that she was doing this. And then when I found out, I was like, Autumn, are you kidding me? Like, I need to send you 85 million recommendations. What the fuck are you talking about? Why did you not tell me this?

I know I was— when I first thought about going, I was like, I should just ask her questions. Lowkey, I was like, scared. I was like, no, I should just wait until I know for sure. I don't want to, like, put it out there and then be like, oh, never mind, I'm not going.

I actually have a fun connection to share with Renee. She has helped me out so much on the retreat. We were talking about how she was learning Italian and working with an Italian tutor. And so I reached out to her and she gave me the info for her Italian tutor, which is how I've been learning Italian this summer. So I wanna say thank you to Renee. And we've been messaging how when like we get to a certain point, we wanna start talking to each other in Italian and working on that. So she's been a huge help for me being able to start that language journey too.

Oh my God, that is so cute. This is so wholesome.

It's only because it's a very selfish reason. When I go to Italy next year, I just want Carly to do all the talking for me.

So, yeah, you guys are going to meet up.

I'll do my best.

I'll do my best.

Carly, when I come visit Italy, you have to translate for me. We got to meet up.

So lots of pressure. I'm working on it, honestly. Okay, so a little backstory on the visa. Because I don't have the work visa yet, I'm actually going over on a student visa with an Italian course.

Okay.

Yeah. So it took me a little while to get to that point. Because I really was invested in trying to get the job that would support it, even though I know it's a very difficult process. So I'm hoping that comes to fruition once I'm there. But for now, to qualify for the student visa, I don't know if it's the same for you, but I have to take at least 20 hours of Italian per week, which means I'm going to be taking 4 hours of Italian per day plus working.

Oh my God.

So, um, yeah, I don't have to do all that.

I don't have to do that.

I'm jealous. It's going to be stressful, but but I think it's necessary and hopefully I'll become almost fluent a lot faster than if I wasn't doing that. But I'll do my best when you guys visit. I need to learn.

You're gonna be a wizard at Italian.

I hope so. I hope so. Also, something else I was thinking about, um, and I didn't actually put it together until I started sharing about the vision I had on the retreat and then my plan to move abroad is I actually today got my first invite to a Milan Fashion Week event. And that was something that was like, it still is like the goal. The only, the only caveat is with the visa, I don't know if I'm going to get there in time for Milan Fashion Week. This, it's in September, so this September. But that was like a crazy email that I got today and I wasn't even like putting it together necessarily that today we were doing this call and I feel like that was the one vision that really led me to pick Milan because I wasn't really set on a city. So yeah, that, that's pretty cool and feels very serendipitous.

I know.

I remember you saying like, I just see myself like working in Italy and going to Milan Fashion Week and then you get the email of all days today.

Like, I know what? Crazy.

Meant to be. Meant to be crazy. All right, Mae, Shanice, Maria, Renee, Christina, anyone wanna give us some updates what you're up to, what's going on in your lives?

I feel like I just got out of my own way and like out of my own BS. Like I was struggling a lot financially. I was in a lot of debt and I started, I can't remember if I already started my dog sitting business. Um, but I just started getting like so many clients and the past like 3 months I've been totally booked and I'm finally gaining like so much momentum in my coaching business. And honestly, just this past month I just started, like my DM started blowing up and I'm just like, I don't know, I feel like I'm like on this path and it's just, it feels really good for the first time. Like I'm just headed in the right direction. Whereas I felt so stuck in like one place when we were on the retreat. And that's something that I remember really focusing and thinking about is like feeling so stuck and also feeling so held back by everyone's judgments of me. And I just like don't give a shit anymore. Like, like I just like, I'm so much more confident in myself and in my abilities and I don't know, it just feels really good.

So good. That's like the best feeling ever when you're like, yeah, I'm just in my lane doing my thing. I have momentum, things are working now. I don't give a fuck.

Yeah, exactly. I'm like, It's happening. I'm on the right path and I just gotta keep going. And also just like let go of like, you know, when you're like doing all these little things that you think you have to do, but they're not actually like moving the needle.

Mm-hmm.

I feel like that was a big thing that I had to let go of. Like, Maria, you know what you actually need to do to move forward and you're not doing it. So that has just felt so good.

Yeah, so much getting out of your own way. Yeah, it's so hard sometimes. I don't know why we resist it so much.

Yeah.

What, like, what do you think? Was it just like an energy shift for you where you were like, okay, like, this is who I'm going to be now?

Yeah, I think— I don't know. I, I think breathwork was huge for me and I do it. I started working with a coach like like, not that long after the retreat, and she actually leads breathwork every week, but I didn't do it, um, until the retreat. Like, that was the first time I ever did it, and that I think has really helped my mindset in such a crazy way and just like recognize all these like areas that were like keeping me stuck. So I think that really helped change my mindset and change my energy and get me to this place.

Yeah. How good is the breathwork?

So I love that.

Yeah, that was crazy. That whole experience with Susie was crazy. I've never experienced anything like that.

Same. Ditto.

Literally went into it and was like, eh, probably nothing's gonna happen. It's just going to be like a breathwork session. And she comes over and grabs my foot and I'm just fucking sobbing like full unleash.

And so crazy. So crazy. I feel really excited for the women who are coming this year because Susie is going to come again and she's going to do the breathwork. It's just so amazing. Jen had some really crazy— Yeah, stuff happened in the breathwork too.

Yeah, so before the retreat, as all of you know, my dad had passed away and it was a little bit after the one year. It was one year in November. And for that whole like year, I had very bad PTSD with it and I would every night have nightmares of my father dying again and again and I could never help him. So I was getting like no sleep. And then after the first session, I like— he came into my vision and it was just like release. And then that night, I was— the first night since he had passed away that I didn't have a dream of him dying at all. And to this day, I haven't had any dreams of it. It was just like completely gone. And then the second one that we did with Susie, it was able to like bring him and other people that had passed away in my life together to like— and I think Cass, you were with me for the sharing, and I like normally never cry, which I'm working on, trying to, like, express all my emotions, but normally I never do it. I just, like, broke down, and it was just, like, all of them, like, believing in me and trusting the vision I had. And like Maria was saying, like, breathwork since then has been, like, part of my everyday practice, and it has helped me, like, with the grieving process that I thought I was done with. I've been able to, like, accept the grieving process. And my aunt ended up unexpectedly passing away in March. And with all of that, it helped me be present and embrace the emotions I was feeling and show up for my nieces and nephews to also process it, compared to before how I reacted with my dad of just like shutting it out. So I feel like it just fully shifted my mindset as well.

Yeah.

The most amazing story ever. I remember like we were sitting at breakfast because I didn't know that that had happened in the breathwork. I don't, I don't think that you like shared it, like when that he came into the vision that first time. But then it was like the next morning and we were having breakfast and like, I think Susie sat down next to you and she just asked like a general question to everyone at the table. She was like, how did you sleep?

Yeah.

And you were like, you see, exactly. Hello, my loves. Hello, darling. Just like, how did you sleep, my loves? And you were like, you know, it was the first night that I didn't have this nightmare of my dad dying. And I was like, wow, that's crazy.

No, it was crazy. I never would have— I, when I went to the retreat, I didn't have in my mind anything about dealing with the death of my father at all. I thought I had already like moved past that. And now looking back, I'm like, you were a year past. Like, you're— it's like an ongoing process. Um, I don't know what I was thinking then, but it just helped like open up a piece that I thought I didn't need to deal with. I thought I was going on the retreat just to figure out like job clarity and what job to apply to next, and it ended up like bringing all the clarity, but I didn't realize all the layers that were under it to get there, which is where I feel like I am now. All the clarity is finally— I'm like working through all the layers.

Yeah, so good. Anyone else have anything kind of like, like that come up for them where they're like, oh, I wasn't expecting to work through that?

On the same sort of lines, um, basically I actually didn't tell anybody this because I was still very raw. I had quite a, you know, a bit of a trauma for me. But in January of 2022, um, well, first in December, I was with someone who I absolutely adored, like absolutely adored. And we accidentally fell pregnant and it kind of just turned to absolute mush. He just became very distant and things like that. And so, yeah, so I was pregnant for about a month and then I had to terminate and it just went all terribly. And basically after that I was so lost in like because I'd always seen myself being a mom and that's obviously not the experience you want to have as like that first time, you know, falling pregnant. So yeah, like it was a very, very traumatic time. I didn't get out of bed for about a month except to go to work and then I come back and I would just stay in bed for, for a whole month. Um, and then I got to the retreat and during Susie's breathwork, um, I actually saw myself with my daughter and it was just just clarity around, because I was so confused, so lost about whether it was for me anymore. Um, just because, you know, like, it was just— yeah, there was just like, like a block between me and that thought now because that was the experience that I'd had. Um, but yeah, during Susie's breathwork, I actually saw myself with my daughter, and it was just so relieving. Like, when I woke up from that, just knowing that, okay, it is still for me. Not right now, I still need to deal with but I don't need to be so concerned about if it's going to happen or not for me because of this experience I had. So yeah, I did keep that to myself actually during the whole retreat just because I was still healing from the whole experience. Um, but I was so grateful for when I came back from that, um, that experience, like that breathwork, um, session, to be like, okay, it's still— it's still gonna happen, it's still there for I just got to get through this part first. So yeah, like, I'm so, so grateful to Susie for that, just because, yeah, that whole experience was, was so— was awful, for lack of a better word, was just absolutely awful. Um, so I'm so grateful to Susie for that, for that clarity.

Yeah, thanks for sharing, Renee. That's honestly so amazing. That you were able to get that vision of, of a hope.

Yeah, that's exactly what it was. Yeah, it's like, okay, it's still, it's still, it's still in there in me, like that want to be a mum. But, um, yeah, that's okay if it's just not yet. But yeah, it is definitely still there.

Yeah.

So yeah, do you feel like you've, do you feel like you've kind of integrated that since then, of like accepting what was for the path that will unfold in the future.

100%. I think a lot of closure as well since then. Like I've had, like I've had a dream where it was, it was a son that I had, but my son visited me like I've met him. I know his name. His name was Jeremy. So I feel like I have so much— I'm going to cry, sorry.

Sending you so much love.

Yeah, it's okay. Let it out. We are all here for you.

Your spirit baby came to visit you, didn't he? They do that.

Yeah, I feel like because I've now had that— because before it was a lot of, um, like, I felt like I did him so wrong. But I've had closure on that now since he's come to visit me and things like that.

Yeah, there's so many layers in that. There's so much shame and guilt and worry and fear and uncertainty. Yeah, so much.

It was really hard because I did do it all myself as well, because, um, the guy turned out to be a very immature person, um, that just kind of wanted to turn a blind eye to the whole thing. Um, but yeah, like, so that's kind of happened. But yes, I'm very grateful to Susie for just showing me that I am going to be a mom someday. Still, despite all of this, I wish I could give you a hug. Babe, I promise, like, I feel so much better now.

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Yeah, it's just tender, but thanks for sharing. I'm so proud of you. That's a very challenging thing to walk through, especially on your own. So if anyone can do it, you can. You are like the warrior princess of the group, I feel.

Agree. Literally, I was just about to say, like, you had such an amazing— you do have such an amazing energy about you. And one thing that I am forever grateful for you for is just like taking care of me when I got sick. Like, you were just— you just had that motherly energy about you and like, it's so meant for you. Like the way that you jumped in and just like took care of me.

It just—

I just love you so much for that. And just your energy is everything and it is meant for you.

Thank you so much, love. Yes, that was my Susie experience.

Yeah, the hypno breathwork is no joke. That shit will rock your world. Oh my God. Okay, well, let's hear from Meg because she was going to go after Maria and then we kind of got on like a tangent.

I have something upcoming. I'm taking a course in Reiki this weekend. I'm super excited. I have no idea like where it's going to lead, but I'm really excited about it.

Oh my God. Are you going to get certified?

Yes.

Yes.

That's what I'm doing.

So, oh my God, I can't wait. And I'm planning to do a solo trip, which I only traveled alone when we did the retreat. And then I'm going to do a solo trip to Guatemala. And I think it was inspired by you with that podcast.

And you're like, Do the trip, spend the money.

I was like, oh my gosh, she's talking to me again.

Yeah, I love that. I love that. That's going to be amazing. Oh my God, Guatemala. That's going to be gorgeous. Renee is also the queen of solo trips.

She's like, once you solo travel, you're never going to go back. I'm telling you.

Oh my God, I was so afraid. But I was just like, fuck it, I got to go.

That's the energy.

Fuck it and go.

Yeah, I think on a retreat, I don't know if I would have gone. You know, there's a lot of reasons not to go, but I was just like, you know what, whatever, YOLO. Like, it's hard for me because I feel like, oh my God, I'm such a loner, a weirdo going alone. But yeah, it does help you with your confidence.

And you get over it. That first restaurant meal by yourself, you're like, yes, no, just table for one, thank you. And they will look at you like, oh, okay, table for one. But after that first one, you're just like, it doesn't matter. Like, it doesn't matter. And like, you just tell people like, oh, I'm solo traveling. And people are so like impressed by the fact that you're solo traveling. They're like, that is so cool. Like, oh my gosh, I wish I could do that. So like, if that's— yeah, like just 100% like default to that if people start going like, what are you doing? It's like, oh, I'm traveling solo. And yeah, people are so impressed by it because, I mean, how many people actually have the confidence to travel to somewhere else on their own? Yeah, I love that.

So Christina's also a big solo traveler. Yeah, yeah, she'd be jetting around the world. I'm like, I know she, I know she has something to say.

The best thing about traveling by yourself is if there's like a restaurant that you want to go to and it's always booked turn up by yourself, be like, I just want a table for one. They're like, do you have a booking?

No.

And they're just like, okay, hold please. And like 5 minutes later you have a table. Like in any restaurant, it's like, it still blows my mind. And I like never book anything because of that. And I still have this mentality when I go somewhere with my friends and I'm like, oh, it's 10 of us. Yeah, we can just get a table. It doesn't work that way. No, it's just when you're by yourself. Um, but yeah, I've been like doing loads of traveling, and I feel like I'm traveling differently since the retreat because I did loads of traveling on like really short trips, and I had this whole like, I want to go to every country in the world, which I still do, but like, I have my entire life. I don't have to do like 70 countries per year. I'm— I had this whole like mentality before of like, I have to go everywhere, like time is running out. Like, there's so many countries, and now I feel like I can like go back to the same place I've been to, which is like such a mental block before for me. I was like, I can't— like, I've been there. Even if I love the country, I'm like, there's so many other places to go, how can I possibly return to the same place? And I spent a month in Korea earlier this year and I'm going back in November. And I'm like, I, I'm going back because I absolutely loved it. Like, I was obsessed with it, and I can go back. Like, I don't have to like go to another country just because there's more countries to go to. And I am still going to another country, but, um, it's just like so nice that now I'm like, yeah, I'll just, I'll just go back. I loved it. I'm also taking advantage of my job, which allows me to travel more because we can work abroad. So I can like sometimes go for like 3 weeks and really enjoy the country, but like work for a week, um, remotely, which is just so nice. Um, and yeah, I don't know, I'm just like, I'm, I'm loving life right now. It's been like so nice. And like in my job Um, one thing that came up for me in the retreat was that I wanted to have more of like a leadership role, um, in, in life. But like a big thing for me is in like a corporate job where like mental health isn't really talked about still, and like most corporate jobs, I just felt like I wanted to like start the conversation and and I did like a talk at my company about mental health. And like, it was literally just like a— it was like a fun thing. I'm talking about like my mental health journey and like things I do to like help me deal with stress. And it was like super light session. And then after that, everyone started coming up to me and like opening up and I was like, 'Oh my God, I like, I did this.' Like, everyone was like, 'Oh my God, like, I've never seen anyone talk about it in like such a like normal way, in like a personal way, like just relatable.' And I was like, 'What do I—' Like, I think I just consume so many other people, like literally everyone on this call. Um, it's like so normal to discuss things. I forgot that most people in a corporate job don't have that. It's just obviously something that I've always been interested in. Um, so it's been amazing. And I'm doing my mental health first aid training for work in 2 weeks, so I'm really excited about that. Um, and I'm gonna be like an official mental health first aider ally person in my company, so Oh my God, that's amazing, Christina.

Yeah, I'm really excited about it. I love that. It's so, it's so funny. Yeah, when you're so deep into like the personal development, you forget that there's so many people that are not having these conversations. They're not bombarded with this type of like content and work all the time. And there's so many ways that you can help. So I love that you found that and that you made that come true for yourself. It's amazing. Yeah, so, so good. Okay. I want to talk about arriving to the villa. Like, I want to go back to, like, the moment where you arrived at the villa and just, like, tell me what you— tell me what you remember about that moment. What did you see? What was the experience like?

This has to be fake. This isn't real life.

I was like, wow, I have never been in a place that nice. And I remember walking through the, like, the big doors and Suzy was there with her sage and you were there in your little outfit. And then there was the pool, the infinity pool that overlooked the beach. And I was just like, holy fuck, this is what it feels like to be a rich bitch. And I just felt like that in that moment. And I was like, if I could live here for the rest of my life, life, I would. Like, I felt like I made it in that moment when I walked through those doors.

Yeah, I was gonna say, like, the view. Like, you walk in, there was music, we're all together, we're meeting each other, we're hugging Sam, but then you look out and I don't know what I expected because I saw pictures, but like the fact that the whole first, like, level is like this open concept where you can just see the beach, it was like, it was like being in a vision board, like a dream. It didn't feel real.

It was beautiful. For me, it was like the energy, like the greeting. Like you, Samantha, um, I remember I DM'd you once, um, because you were like so excited for the trip. You're like, yeah, and I'm like, oh my God, I'm so nervous, and like you're helping me out because you were like super excited. And then like when you greeted us like with a warm hug, I was just like, okay, like it was not awkward or weird and I didn't feel like so shy, so it was awesome.

Yeah, yeah, I was gonna say it felt like, it felt really special that you knew our names when we got there.

You guys, I was studying.

Like, I, I thought we were gonna show up and do like little icebreakers, get to know everyone, and like we did end up introducing ourselves to each other, but it was like we were already known. Like, there was already a level of comfortability that was there once got there. It wasn't like a, I'm Cassie and I'm 25, I'm from Florida. Like, it wasn't— yeah, it wasn't like first day of college.

It was great energy, great vibes.

Yeah, yeah, I definitely agree with Cass. Like, getting there and you knowing our names, I was like, oh, okay. Kind of like, it really, it really took me back because I didn't expect that really. And being that it was so many of us and you knew who everyone was, it was just like, okay, this is actually pretty cool.

I'm so glad that detail translated, you guys. It's like literally studying Lori and I because we were there a couple of days before the retreat started and I was like, Lori, you need to get their photos. Like, there's some people missing. Like, I have to study them. I was studying you guys like flashcards. That's so funny. Oh my God, it's such a good moment when you just walk in and you— I mean, the villa is just like spectacular. Like, the views are just amazing. What are some other highlights or favorite moments from the retreat? Just things that stand out to you where you're like, that was such a cool moment, even if it's like small things. There's anything that stands out to you in your mind? I loved our chef.

What was his name again?

Oh my God, I know our chef was amazing.

Joel. That one. Okay. He was like the sous chef and he was literally the cutest.

He loved you.

The cutest person on planet Earth. I gave them like all of my money when we were done. I was like, all of, all of the tips for you.

Didn't he run out and get ice cream and cake? Was it him that did that one of the nights?

That was, that was like the head chef. Yeah, I think. And Joel, they went out because Renee— was it you, Renee? You were like, I need chocolate.

No, I don't think it was me. I mean, I always need chocolate, but I don't think that one was me.

Someone was like, I need chocolate, and then they went out and they like got things for us.

Like, need chocolate, need chocolate. Like, we're just gonna ask if they have anything. And they were like, we're just— we'll just walk somewhere. But there isn't really anywhere to walk in like a safe distance in the middle of a night— not middle of the night, but it was like 9 PM, it was dark, and there wasn't really anywhere to walk. Like, you would have to walk for like 40 minutes because the villa is like a little bit secluded. Um, and they were like, we'll just get you something. We'll just, we'll just go. And then they turned up with cake and ice cream. I was like, what? Where does this come from?

It was amazing. It was good.

Yeah, it was great. It was good. It was good. Oh my God, I wish Kenzie was here. One of my personal highlights was the hike to the waterfall. Oh shit. Everyone falling, falling down, eating shit. Mackenzie's outfit just covered in mud.

She was trying to film content too. It was like a sponsored outfit and then she just slipped in the mud.

That's good.

But then the way up was so easy. The way down we were all eating shit. The way up we were like, why was that so quick?

Yeah, that was so weird.

That was, we were like, shocking moment.

We were like, I think the waterfall changed us. Like, I think we grew spiritually and this This is no longer difficult.

It was either that or the cocktails giving us confidence.

Yeah, literally. Because on the way down we were like grabbing onto trees and, and Miguel, do you remember the one part was like literally a mudslide and people were like hanging on to his arm, like sliding down this mudslide. And then on the way up we had like coconuts full of like cocktails in one hand and we were just like, it was so bizarre. But yeah, the waterfall was epic and I actually think it was perfect that it was muddy like that because it was so much fun.

That was one of my favorite parts.

That was like one of the most beautiful places I think I've ever been to.

It was so strong. I wasn't, I wasn't expecting because I hadn't been to that waterfall before. I hadn't I hadn't even been to the villa before. You guys know that, right? Like, I booked that place like blind and I was like, I hope it's cool. But I hadn't been to the waterfall before and it was so, so strong. Do you remember that? Like how intense, like the wind and everything from it was? Yeah, it was also—

I tried to go under it and like sit on the other side of it. It was cool. I couldn't do it.

I literally couldn't breathe because of how strong it was. I tried to, but it was like just pushing me back. I was breathless.

Who was jumping from the, from the cliff?

Megan. Part of it. Yeah. Megan jumped. Must jump.

Yeah, it was really fun.

And Christina jumped. Did anyone else jump?

Yeah, it was so much fun.

The brave girls. Brave Girls. That's like, I wish I did. I know, right?

The drive back from the waterfall with Miguel. Yes. Oh, in the car.

That was like a, like a, like a peak moment.

We were all singing like, so happy. Don't Stop Believing.

I'm so happy.

Yeah, he did. He did say that to us. He was just like smiling and like laughing because we were all singing and like having a great time. We just look over at him driving and he's like, has this big smile on his face. And Renee was in the front with him and he like looked at her and he was like— she was like, are you happy? And he was like, I'm so happy. It was so cute. And then the cleaning ladies, you guys remember how they cleaned our shoes after the waterfall?

Oh yeah.

Sweet. I just have to say, I feel like that was like— I don't know what they did to the shoes, but mine were cleaner after that than before we went.

We were all like, yeah, we wore our worst shoes so we could throw them out. And then like afterwards we were like, I'm keeping these.

Literally, I was fully prepared to throw those shoes out and then they just turned up like at my doorstep, like fresh white. I was like, oh my God, these have like another year in them. I'm keeping these. Oh my God. And the night dancing on the table. I don't know if you guys saw. I posted like a reel with like a little video of that moment. I was dying laughing watching that back, like just remembering everything that we were saying and doing, like how you guys were sitting on the couch pretending to be like the dudes at the strip club, like, God, judging us. And then we were just twerking on the table. I'm like, what was going through our brains?

I don't know, but it was hilarious.

Hilarious. We were like delulu. We were in another world. Like, we— you would have thought we were drunk. We were. It was so much fun though. It was so much fun.

A singular glass of champagne.

Yeah, literally a singular glass.

Got the energy going.

Yeah, got the energy flowing. We didn't need— we don't need any substances.

Okay.

Oh my God. Well, is it safe to say that you guys made some friends and some memories on the retreat? Yes, absolutely. Yeah, it's so cute to like see how some of you guys are like staying in touch and planning trips, and so many of you like moving abroad and gonna see each other, and it's just very, very cool. It warms my heart. And I feel— I think it's a cool thing, but I also am like, I feel personally responsible for the fact that these women are like making such big moves in their lives and quitting or leaving jobs and changing their plans for the future, spending a bunch of money and going on a solo trip to Guatemala or doing whatever. Like, and I'm like, I feel personally responsible, but then I'm also like, that's kind of a cool thing, you know, to like see all of you just like living out your dreams and making such radical changes in your lives because you chose yourselves, because you decided to say yes to life and just step into your fullest expression and be like, yeah, this is what I want and I'm gonna move forward with it no matter what. So it's been really cool just to see and witness all of your evolutions and everything that you're doing.

And thank you, Sam, for your guidance. I feel like so many of us had so many breakthroughs. It's really, really cool that we did this reunion and can see and hear how everyone is kind of, you know, pursuing their life based on the experience we had. So thank you for leading us through that journey. Mhm.

And for providing a space for community too, because like before the retreat I had like such deep like sisterhood wounds, and I was really scared to come into a community that I didn't know. I just felt like it was a very safe space that you created for all of us. So I really appreciated that and just the ability to get to know new friends. Right.

And I didn't like share before, but like before the retreat, I like always thought about doing like I started doing vision boards in 2020. And then since then I feel like they've always like been helpful for me. So I've always wanted to do like a whole vision board event where people just come together and just live off the energy and create these things. And I was like, ah, I don't think I'll do it. But then during the retreat, I had like one of those visualizations. It was like, no, you have to do this. So like on the drive back to the airport, like I'm in my notes, I'm like writing how I want to do everything, what I see for it. And then in January of this year with the help of Carly. Um, I actually did put on— I did hold an event to do the vision board event. Um, my goal was 20 people. I got 13, so not even upset about that. Uh, and I did it, and afterwards it's just like, wow. Like, if it wasn't for this retreat, I probably would have just been like, I'll get to it, or it'll come around. And like, actually doing it, it was nerve-wracking, of course, but it was like, okay, this isn't too bad. Like, I actually plan on doing another one either the end of this year or the beginning again of next year. So this retreat definitely pushed me in that direction. Even with job-wise, like, I was a teacher's assistant when I was on the retreat, and now I'm an actually paid life coach through an agency. Not my business yet. Still working on there. But yeah, so.

Oh my God, go off, Shanice. Holding out on us till the very last second. Just dropping bombs. She's like, oh, by the way. Yeah. Oh, by the way, I became a life coach and changed my job and hosted an event in New York. Like, what?

Yeah, nothing major, you know, just little stepping stones.

But yeah. Oh my God, that is epic. I'm so proud of you and so happy for you. Oh my God, you guys are the cutest. I love this so much. This has been so much fun.

Really?

I love you all. Thanks for coming and for sharing. Yes. Let's stay in touch. Yes. In touch forever. I love you all. I love your updates when things are happening for you in life.

Keep me in the loop. Unlike Autumn.

I'm literally— I'll update you daily when I'm in Madrid.

I'm gonna be like, Sam, today I'm doing this. And I went to this place.

Oh, oh, what did Autumn do? Just literally copied my entire life, moving to the city where I lived and becoming a teaching assistant in Spain and didn't tell me about it.

You in Spain now? Are you in Spain now?

No, I'm leaving at the end, the beginning of September, like literally next weekend. My flight leaves.

That's amazing. Thank you. I feel like I missed so much in those 16 minutes.

Oh no. Um, you have to watch the podcast.

I mean, I mean, watch it. Well, you can't watch a podcast.

I know, I'm like, you can, you can tune in on Spotify and Apple and anywhere you find your podcasts.

Oh my God. Epic. Fucking epic.

So good. So much goodness. Thank you guys so much for coming and sharing. I love you all. Let's stay in touch. Love you forever. Big hugs.

Love you guys. Love you guys. Bye, guys. Bye, guys.