Let’s have a real talk moment, retreat leader to retreat leader (or retreat leader in the making):
Hosting retreats isn’t for everyone.

I know, that might sound weird coming from someone who literally teaches this stuff, but stick with me.

Retreat planning isn’t just about creating dreamy itineraries, picking pretty locations, or snapping aesthetic yoga pics. It’s about service. It’s about people. It’s about solving a very specific problem for a very specific group of humans.

And here’s the kicker: if you don’t like those humans (not them personally, just a specific demographic/personality or need) or enjoy solving that particular problem… you’re going to burn out real fast.

Let Me Get Personal for a Minute

When I first started hosting retreats, they were focused heavily on healing and fitness. We’re talking deep inner work, emotional release, and lots of sweat and tears—literally.

And I’ll be honest and vain… I was good at it. I had the credentials. The skills. The ability to hold space.

But I didn’t love it.

I couldn’t shake the heaviness that came with it. I carried it home. I worried about every person’s pain. And eventually, I realized:
This isn’t what I want to hold anymore.

It’s actually the same reason I stopped practicing therapy.
I don’t compartmentalize well—and honestly, I don’t want to.

Alignment Matters More Than Achievement

What I realized is this:
I wanted to help people, yes—but in a way that brought ME joy too.

Enter: Stress Reduction Retreats.
For the average stressed-out woman (a.k.a. ME).

Women who are juggling kids, businesses, partners, aging parents, Target runs, and a never-ending to-do list.
Women who don’t necessarily need another breakthrough… they need a break.
Women who want rest, laughter, sunshine, movement, and a space to just be.

THAT I can get behind. THAT lights me up.

And when I leaned into what actually felt good for me, everything changed.
My marketing got easier.
My retreats filled faster.
My joy returned.
Because I wasn’t trying to be someone I’m not.

You Gotta Know Your People

So many retreat leaders skip this part in their retreat planning process.
They jump right into pricing, programming, or promotion—but they haven’t stopped to ask:

• Who do I actually love working with?
• What specific problem am I solving for them?
• Do I enjoy solving that problem?

If you’re building a retreat around what you think people want, instead of what you love delivering, it’s going to feel hard. Forced. Misaligned. And it won’t be sustainable (or successful).

The Right Retreat = The Right Energy Exchange

Here’s a truth I’ve learned the hard way:
Just because you can hold space doesn’t mean you should.

Your energy matters.
The joy you feel while leading a retreat is the energy your guests will receive.
And if you’re secretly dreading certain aspects or certain people… guess what?
They’ll feel that too.

So ask yourself:

• Am I building this retreat because it excites me—or because I think I “should”?
• Do I like the people I want to serve—or am I trying to force it?
• Will I leave this retreat feeling energized—or depleted?

If the answer isn’t a full-body yes… it’s time to realign.

Your Joy = Their Transformation

Retreats don’t have to be heavy to be healing.
They don’t have to be spiritual to be soulful.
They don’t have to be deep to be deeply impactful.

They just have to be true to YOU.

So as you plan your next (or first) retreat, remember this:

• Know your demographic
• Know what problem you’re solving
• Know what you love to do

Because when you’re in alignment?
Everything works better.
You attract the right people.
You create real transformation.
And you actually enjoy the business you’re building.

Which is kind of the whole point, right?

With love and truth,
Shannon

PS: Need help figuring out your retreat lane?

Join me in London on October 10th for the Vision to Venue Workshop—a one-day deep dive into planning profitable, aligned retreats that don’t burn you out.
Strategy + Clarity + Connection + High Vibe = your best retreat year yet.
Learn more: https://mindbodycomplete.com/how-to-host-a-retreat