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EP 255 Building a Soul-Led Retreat Business While Working Full-Time with Amy Jaggers

Release Date: 01/22/2026

EP 255 Building a Soul-Led Retreat Business While Working Full-Time with Amy Jaggers

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Amy Jaggers, a coach and retreat leader who is building a soul-led retreat business while still working full-time. Amy shares how she helps professionals step off autopilot and reconnect with balance, clarity, and purpose through meditation, mindfulness practices, retreats, and wellbeing circles. She opens up about what it really looks like to grow a retreat business alongside a demanding career — including boundaries, time management, and integrating her “soul work” into her corporate role. Together, Shannon and Amy...

EP 254 How to Make Your Retreat a Signature Brand Asset Instead of a One-Off Event

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Many retreat leaders are stuck running one-off retreats - constantly reinventing the wheel, hustling for new sign-ups, and exhausting themselves with fresh marketing every time. But the smartest, most sustainable retreat businesses? They build signature retreats that become a recognizable, in-demand part of their brand. In this episode, Shannon breaks down how to turn your retreat into a powerful brand asset that builds loyalty, grows every year, and creates recurring revenue through alumni and long-term client pathways. You’ll learn how to create a retreat theme people return to annually,...

EP 253 Everything You Do Either Attracts or Repels and That’s a Good Thing

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Everything you put into the world is doing something. Your website. Your social posts. Your emails. Your videos. Your interviews. In this episode, Shannon Jamail breaks down a truth most retreat leaders avoid: if you’re not repelling anyone, you’re probably being too generic. Attraction is only half the conversation. Sustainable retreat businesses are built on clarity - and clarity naturally attracts the right people while filtering out the wrong ones. Shannon explains why repelling misaligned guests isn’t a flaw, it’s a leadership skill, and how trying to please everyone leads to...

EP 252 Ethical Marketing, Outsourcing, and Building Trust in Business with Dawni Baxter

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode, Shannon sits down with Dawni Baxter — founder of a boutique marketing agency and a multi-passionate entrepreneur leading the movement in ethical, human-first marketing. Dawni brings a refreshing perspective to an industry filled with noise, inflated promises, and confusing pricing structures. Together, Shannon and Dawni dive into: ✨ How to navigate marketing relationships with confidence ✨ Why transparency and trust are the backbone of ethical marketing ✨ What to look for (and avoid) when hiring a marketing agency or contractor ✨ The power of outsourcing — even...

EP 251 Stop Discounting Your Retreats: The Damage It Causes & What to Do Instead

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode, Shannon gets fired up about one of the biggest mistakes retreat leaders make: discounting their retreats. While a discount might feel like an easy way to fill a few spots, the long-term damage is real - it devalues your experience, trains your audience to wait for price drops, signals desperation, and hurts the entire retreat industry. Shannon breaks down exactly why discounting is harmful, what it communicates to potential guests, and better alternatives like early-bird bonuses, pay-in-full perks, and smart payment options. She also unpacks the real reason...

EP 250 Both Sides of the Retreat: Hosting, Supporting, and Finding Balance with Kim DeMoss

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Kim DeMoss - Retreat Ranch’s Executive Assistant, Yoga Teacher Training host, and long-time retreat collaborator - to talk about what it’s really like to experience retreats from both sides: hosting and supporting. From her early days hosting retreats with Shannon to now managing the logistics behind the scenes, Kim shares candid insights on burnout, boundaries, work-life balance, and how she found her groove in the retreat industry. They also dive into the digital...

EP 249 If You’re Not Failing, You’re Not Trying Hard Enough

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail gets real about something every retreat leader needs to hear: failure isn’t the enemy - it’s proof that you’re in the game. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough. Shannon dives into why “falling short” - whether it’s your finances, your workshop, your attendance, or your execution - isn’t something to avoid, it’s something to learn from. You can hire the best coach, join the smartest program, and learn from the pros… and you’ll still make mistakes. The difference? You’ll...

EP 248 Why Retreat Leaders Who Don’t Evolve in AI + SEO Will Be Left Behind

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

If you’re still marketing your retreats like it’s 2022, you’re already behind. In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail drops the truth about how the digital marketing landscape has shifted - and why AI integration isn’t optional anymore. From Google rewriting your meta descriptions to the rise of algorithmic visibility, the retreat industry is evolving fast. Shannon breaks down how retreat leaders can start using AI tools strategically - not just for blogs and social media, but to analyze data, personalize messaging, and scale visibility. She also gives a sneak peek at...

EP 247 Redefining Tantra and Running a Profitable Retreat Business with Justin Gottlieb

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Justin Gottlieb - a sexual freedom coach, Tantra practitioner, and retreat host who transitioned from the corporate world to full-time facilitation. Together, they unpack what Tantra really is (and isn’t), how to maintain integrity in intimate retreat settings, and why it’s time for more men to step into leadership roles in the wellness and retreat space. Justin shares how he and his co-facilitator Leola create transformational retreats rooted in safety, consent, and empowerment - and how they’ve built a sustainable...

EP 246 A Guest Experience and Real Talk on Women’s Wellness & Retreat Leadership with Remi Gibbs

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this heartfelt and honest episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail reconnects with former retreat guest and midlife women’s life coach, Remi Gibbs, to talk about everything from freezing yurts to forgiveness-and how retreats offer powerful portals for healing and purpose. Together, they dive into: Remi’s unforgettable experience at Retreat Ranch (spoiler: it involves a hot tub and sub-zero temps) The difference between acceptance and true forgiveness—and why that distinction matters How Shannon handled an unexpected power outage like a pro (a lesson in leadership grace)...

More Episodes

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Amy Jaggers, a coach and retreat leader who is building a soul-led retreat business while still working full-time.

Amy shares how she helps professionals step off autopilot and reconnect with balance, clarity, and purpose through meditation, mindfulness practices, retreats, and wellbeing circles. She opens up about what it really looks like to grow a retreat business alongside a demanding career — including boundaries, time management, and integrating her “soul work” into her corporate role.

Together, Shannon and Amy discuss long-term vision, retreat center dreams, the power of visualization, and why retreat leaders must invest in their own development before leading others. This episode is especially powerful for retreat leaders who are still in a full-time job but feel deeply called to build something meaningful and sustainable on the side.

Key Takeaways

You can build a retreat business while working full-time — with structure and boundaries.
Integrating wellbeing and mindfulness into your day job can strengthen both worlds.
Visual planning, time blocking, and templated systems are essential for sustainability.
Soul-led work doesn’t require quitting your job overnight — small, consistent steps matter.
Investing in your own training and leadership development is non-negotiable as a retreat host.
Long-term visions (like owning a retreat center) are built through patience and intention.
Familiarity with your retreat location is a key marker of responsible leadership.

About Amy Jaggers

Amy Jaggers is a coach and facilitator who helps professionals turn awareness into meaningful action through coaching, meditation, retreats, and facilitated circles. Her work creates intentional space for individuals to pause, reconnect, and step off autopilot, supporting greater balance, clarity, and purpose. Amy’s approach is grounded in building resilience and helping people live and lead with greater intention in both their personal and professional lives.

Connect with Amy here: https://lavidalagom.com/ and check out her retreat here: https://lavidalagom.com/meditationmindfulness/

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TIMESTAMPS

Amy’s Background & Soul Work (00:01:17) Amy shares her professional background, her focus on mindfulness, and her retreat and wellbeing circles.

Balancing Full-Time Work & Retreat Business (00:02:09) Discussion on juggling a full-time job with building a retreat business, and integrating soul work into her career.

Wellbeing Circles at Work (00:03:13) Amy explains hosting wellbeing circles for colleagues and how it supports both her job and retreat business.

Challenges & Boundaries (00:04:41) Amy discusses the importance of schedules, boundaries, and processes to balance both roles.

Finding Fulfillment in Both Roles (00:05:06) Amy reflects on the fulfillment she gets from both her day job and her retreat business.

Target Audience & Their Needs (00:06:25) Amy describes her colleagues’ challenges and the need for wellbeing practices.

Scheduling & Time Management Practices (00:08:29) Amy shares her practical strategies for managing time and tasks for her soul business.

Retreat Industry Forum Announcement (00:10:00) Shannon promotes the upcoming Retreat Industry Forum event in Denver.

Long-Term Goals & Vision (00:11:33) Amy outlines her goal to own a retreat venue and her vision for the future.

Visualization & Vision Boards (00:12:33) Shannon and Amy discuss the power of vision boards, drawing out goals, and visual manifestation.

Hospitality Background & Inspiration (00:14:08) Amy talks about her hospitality experience and how it informs her retreat vision.

Vision Board Workshop & Manifestation (00:14:38) Amy mentions her upcoming vision board workshop and the importance of seeing goals regularly.

Visualization Practices for Success (00:15:33) Shannon shares techniques for visualizing and feeling future success.

Building the Soul Business Step by Step (00:17:06) Amy and Shannon discuss the importance of incremental progress and baby steps.

Investing in Education & Training (00:18:16) Amy emphasizes the value of professional training and investing in oneself as a retreat leader.

Networking & Community in Retreat Leadership (00:19:51) Amy highlights the benefits of networking and community from attending workshops and trainings.

Professionalism & Industry Standards (00:21:38) Amy calls for higher standards and more rigor in retreat leadership training.

Upcoming Retreat Details (00:23:14) Amy shares details about her next retreat in Menorca, its focus, and why she chose the location.

Choosing a Safe & Familiar Retreat Location (00:25:55) Shannon and Amy discuss the importance of hosting retreats in places that feel safe and familiar, especially for first international events.

Episode Wrap-Up & Contact Info (00:27:47) Shannon thanks Amy, provides info for listeners, and closes the episode.

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