Shannon Jamail

She is a best-selling author, podcast host, retreat leader, therapist turned mentor, Yoga Teacher trainer, and tequila connoisseur (not really, but she does enjoy sipping on a good pour).

Let me tell you something a little personal.

I used to hate flying.
Like, full-on anxiety, gripping the seat, needing medication or a glass (okay, maybe two) of wine just to get on the plane. I didn’t just dislike it-I was terrified.

But now? I fly across the country and internationally all the time. I sip my first-class champagne and actually enjoy it.

So what changed?

I got clear on my why.
Because what was on the other side of that flight-that mattered more than the fear.

Your “Why” Is the Fuel Behind Every Flight (and Every Retreat)

When I fly now, it’s not just to take a vacation or check a box.
It’s to pour into other retreat leaders around the world.
It’s to speak on stages.
It’s to hold space for powerful humans doing big things.
It’s to grow. Expand. Lead.

If I want the big impact, I’ve got to take the big flights.
If I want the transformation- for myself or others- I’ve got to walk through the turbulence.

And guess what? The same is true for retreat planning.

Let’s Be Real: Retreat Planning Isn’t Always a Joyride

There are parts of this business that suck the soul a little.

Insurance logistics?
Guest payment plan issues?
Tech breaking down right before launch?
The 900th time you’ve had to explain shared rooms?

It’s not all yoga by candlelight and cute grazing boards.
But when you’re grounded in your why, the hard stuff doesn’t derail you. It fuels you.

So… What’s Your Why?

Ask yourself:

What excites me about hosting retreats?
Who am I doing this for?
What is the transformation I want to see in others (and myself)?
What legacy do I want to leave behind with these retreats?

Your “why” is what carries you through the tech headaches, the canceled bookings, the occasional late-night breakdown where you question why you’re doing this at all.

(Been there. Built a ranch around it.)

Real Retreat Planning Starts With Real Purpose

If you want to sell out retreats, impact your guests, and actually profit-you can’t wing it.

You need real retreat planning… and it starts with your why.
Then comes strategy, systems, and yes, sometimes sucking it up and doing the boring stuff.

Because when your why is loud enough, the rest becomes worth it.

Final Thought: Champagne Over Fear

I no longer fear flying-because I’m more excited about what’s on the other side.

Same goes for retreat planning.
Get fired up about what’s on the other side of the effort: the lives changed, the community built, the ripple effect of your work.

So whatever fear or frustration is showing up for you in the planning process right now?