Listen, I love a good meditation moment. You’ll find me journaling by candlelight, pulling oracle cards, or soaking in the energy of a vision board like nobody’s business. I even created a Manifestation Kit and a course around the exact practices that have helped me call in everything from my retreat center to my ranch life.

But let me be real with you, retreat leader to retreat leader:
Manifestation without action is just daydreaming. 

Yep, I said it.

You can “visualize” a sold-out retreat all day long, but unless you’re also putting strategy behind that dream—it’s just wishful thinking with glitter on top.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m all about the woo and the work (I even created a course on my own manifestation process cause yes, I believe in it). But if your retreat isn’t filling, chances are you’re missing one of the three core pillars that turn good intentions into real income and impact.

Let’s break it down!

Know Exactly Who You’re Talking To

Before you can market or sell anything, you need to deeply understand your ideal retreat guest—like really understand them.

• Who are they?
• What are they struggling with right now?
• What keeps them up at night?
• What transformation are they craving?

And more importantly…
How does your retreat provide the solution they’ve been searching for?

This isn’t about guessing or throwing spaghetti at the Instagram wall to see what sticks. It’s about intentional messaging that speaks directly to your person’s heart, pain point, and potential.

If you don’t know who you’re serving and what problem you’re solving, your retreat won’t feel relevant—no matter how beautiful your venue or how epic your itinerary is.

Have a Real Marketing and Sales Plan

Marketing is how you attract people.
Selling is how you convert them.
You need both.

→ Posting on social media once a week isn’t a strategy.
→ Hoping people “find” your retreat page through the algorithm isn’t a plan.
→ Writing one email and crossing your fingers is not how you fill spots.

Here’s what you do need:

• A clear SEO strategy so people can find you on Google and AI
• A social media content plan that builds trust and visibility and helps to grow your email list (think valuable freebies)
• An email sequence that nurtures curiosity into conversion
• A sales process where you actually follow up with people who show interest (yes, that means DM-ing, calling, and personally reaching out)

I see so many amazing retreat leaders stop at marketing and then wonder why no one books. It’s because you didn’t actually sell. Don’t be afraid of selling—it’s just service with structure.

Mindset That Matches Your Goals

Here’s the truth:
If you don’t believe you can fill your retreat, you probably won’t.

Your mindset will either be your rocket fuel or your roadblock.

When you doubt yourself, you hesitate. You pull back. You don’t show up fully.
When you believe in what you’re offering and who you’re serving, that energy is magnetic.

This means you’ve got to:

• Rewire the stories you tell yourself about money, worth, and leadership
• Stop playing small to avoid rejection or judgment
• Step into your identity as a CEO, not just a “helper” or “healer”

You want to host a sold-out retreat? Cool.
Start showing up like someone who does.

That version of you has clarity, consistency, and confidence.
She doesn’t shrink, she shines.
She takes aligned action and believes in the results she’s creating.

Final Thoughts

I’ll always advocate for vision boards, full moon rituals, and high-vibe playlists. But you better believe I pair that with spreadsheets, systems, and solid strategy.

Because here’s the truth:
You can fill your retreat.
You can run a profitable retreat business.
But it’s going to take more than positive vibes and Pinterest quotes.

You’ve got to know your person.
You’ve got to market and sell with intention.
And you’ve got to believe in your own damn magic.

Manifestation is real. But so is momentum—and that only comes when you move.

Let’s build that dream AND do the work.
You’ve got this.

P.S. If you’re a retreat leader (or dreaming of becoming one), I’m hosting a powerful one-day workshop in London this October. Get the details here.