EP 266 The Power of Proximity for Retreat Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Release Date: 04/16/2026
EP 268 The Power of Retreats for Midlife Women: Building Community, Healing & Business with SOL Women
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
There is a powerful shift happening - and it’s centered around midlife women. Women who have spent years building careers, raising families, and showing up for everyone else are now asking a different question: What do I want? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down in person in Austin with the founders of SOL Women to talk about the rise of retreats designed specifically for midlife women - and why these experiences are more needed now than ever. SOL Women creates holistic, supportive retreat experiences that help women reconnect with themselves, prioritize...
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Behind the Scenes of the Retreat Industry Forum: Why Logistics & Operations Make or Break Your Retreat
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
There’s what your guests see at a retreat… And then there’s everything happening behind the scenes. In this special edition of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison and Erin (co-hosts of the Retreat Industry Forum) along with two of the Forum’s featured panel presenters - Matt Quinones and Daesha Donze - to talk about the operational side of running successful retreats. You can have an incredible concept, a beautiful location, and a powerful transformation… But if your logistics and operations aren’t dialed in, it will impact the entire experience. Matt...
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EP 267 The Retreat Venue Gap: Why Retreat Leaders and Venues Struggle to Find Each Other with Emily Johnson
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
One of the biggest challenges in the retreat industry isn’t marketing, pricing, or programming. It’s the gap between retreat leaders and retreat venues. Retreat leaders struggle to find the right venues. Venue owners struggle to fill their calendars with the right retreats. And somewhere in the middle, opportunities are missed. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Hospitality Collective, to talk about the disconnect between retreat leaders and venues - and how the industry can bridge that gap. Emily brings years of...
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EP 266 The Power of Proximity for Retreat Leaders and Entrepreneurs
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Success in business isn’t just about strategy. It’s also about proximity - who you’re around, the conversations you’re exposed to, and the standards of the rooms you choose to enter. In this solo episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail shares why being in the right rooms can dramatically accelerate your growth as a retreat leader and entrepreneur. For many years Shannon’s business was doing well. But about five years ago, something shifted. She started attending conferences, joining masterminds, and intentionally placing herself in rooms with other high-level...
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Special Edition: Stop Wasting Money on Ads: What Retreat Leaders Need Before Running Facebook & Instagram Ads with Jenn Possick
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Running ads to fill your retreat sounds like the obvious next step… But for most retreat leaders, it’s actually where they start losing money. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Jenn Possick (The Ads Maven) to break down what retreat leaders really need to know before investing in Facebook and Instagram ads. Jenn specializes in helping coaches, wellness professionals, and retreat leaders run strategic, data-driven ad campaigns - offering both done-for-you and done-with-you services. And here’s what she makes very clear: Ads are...
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EP 265 The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Retreats with Joel Weldon
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Retreat leaders spend months planning the location, the schedule, the experiences, and the transformations they want their guests to have. But there is one skill that quietly determines whether your retreat truly lands with your audience. Your ability to communicate. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Hall of Fame speaker Joel Weldon to talk about the powerful role communication plays in the success of retreats - from filling the room to creating deeper breakthroughs for attendees. Joel has been paid to speak at more than 3,000 events and has coached over...
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The Future of the Retreat Industry: Why We Need Standards, Community & Leadership with Holly Porter
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
The retreat industry is growing so fast. Especially in the last 6 years. But here’s the problem: There has never been a central place for retreat leaders, venues, and professionals to connect, collaborate, and operate at a higher standard. Until now. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Holly Porter, founder of the International Retreat Association, to talk about the future of the retreat industry - and why the timing for this shift couldn’t be more important. Holly shares her powerful personal story - from building 12...
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EP 264 Building Momentum: Staying the Course When Results Feel Slow
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
One of the hardest moments in the retreat business is the quiet period after you launch something. You announce your retreat. You post about it. You send emails. And then… crickets. In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail talks about why slow results are not a sign that something is wrong. In fact, momentum in the retreat industry is rarely sudden — it’s usually the result of consistent, focused action over time. Shannon breaks down the common traps retreat leaders fall into when results don’t appear quickly, including shiny object syndrome, comparison traps, and abandoning strategies too...
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EP 263 Trust Leaks in Retreat Businesses: The 5 Places Retreat Leaders Lose Credibility with Debbie Simmons
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Trust is the currency of the retreat industry. Guests invest their time, money, and emotional energy into retreat experiences expecting transformation, connection, and professionalism. But often, trust doesn’t break in big dramatic moments - it slowly leaks through small gaps in leadership, communication, and delivery. In this episode, Shannon sits down with Debbie Simmons to discuss the five most common “trust leaks” in retreat businesses and how retreat leaders can repair them before they damage reviews, referrals, and long-term loyalty. They break down where trust most often breaks...
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EP 262 Culture Building: How to Create a Retreat Experience That People Come Back To with Nathan Jamail
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Most retreat leaders focus on the itinerary. But what makes guests come back year after year isn’t the schedule - it’s the culture. In this episode, Shannon is joined by leadership expert and culture strategist Nathan Jamail (whom she is biased to say is amazing) to break down how retreat leaders can intentionally build culture instead of just planning programming. They discuss: How culture impacts everything How to create loyalty beyond a single event Alumni communities that actually stay engaged Setting customer experience standards Why some retreats create raving fans -...
info_outlineSuccess in business isn’t just about strategy.
It’s also about proximity - who you’re around, the conversations you’re exposed to, and the standards of the rooms you choose to enter.
In this solo episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail shares why being in the right rooms can dramatically accelerate your growth as a retreat leader and entrepreneur.
For many years Shannon’s business was doing well. But about five years ago, something shifted. She started attending conferences, joining masterminds, and intentionally placing herself in rooms with other high-level entrepreneurs.
The result?
Her business didn’t just grow - it exploded.
Because the rooms you choose to enter quietly shape:
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Your thinking
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Your standards
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Your opportunities
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Your results
In this episode, Shannon breaks down the power of proximity and why retreat leaders who want to grow must intentionally place themselves in environments that challenge and expand them.
If you’ve ever wondered whether investing in conferences, masterminds, or industry events is worth it, this conversation will change the way you think about it.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• Why proximity is one of the most powerful growth accelerators in business
• How the rooms you enter shape your thinking and expectations
• The hidden opportunities that come from simply being present in the right environments
• Why many entrepreneurs avoid high-level rooms
• How retreat leaders can intentionally create proximity that fuels their growth
Key Takeaways
The Rooms You Choose Shape Your Results
Who you spend time with influences:
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the conversations you hear
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the ideas you’re exposed to
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the standards you adopt
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the opportunities you encounter
Growth accelerates when you intentionally surround yourself with people who think bigger and operate differently.
Proximity Changes Your Thinking
Most people believe growth comes from:
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books
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courses
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information
Those things matter.
But often the biggest shifts happen through exposure.
When you’re in the right room, you start hearing conversations like:
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“How do we scale this?”
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“What systems are you using?”
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“What worked in your last launch?”
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“What’s your revenue goal this year?”
Your brain begins calibrating to a different level of thinking.
Standards Are Contagious
When you’re around people operating at a high level, you start noticing things like:
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professionalism
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follow-through
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preparation
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attention to detail
For retreat leaders, this might look like seeing how others:
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structure their retreats
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communicate with guests
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design experiences
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price their offerings
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market their events
Suddenly you realize:
“Oh… this can be done differently.”
The Hidden Opportunities Proximity Creates
Some of the biggest opportunities in business don’t come from marketing.
They come from conversations.
Many collaborations, referrals, and partnerships begin through simple interactions in the right rooms.
Examples include:
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speaking opportunities
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partnerships
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referrals
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introductions
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collaborations
These opportunities happen when people know and trust you.
And trust is built through presence.
Why Entrepreneurs Avoid These Rooms
Many entrepreneurs hesitate to enter high-level environments because of:
Fear
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“What if I’m not ready?”
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“What if I don’t belong there?”
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“What if I’m the least experienced person in the room?”
Money concerns
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investment in travel
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conference tickets
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mastermind memberships
Sometimes it’s also ego.
But the truth is:
Being the least experienced person in the room is often exactly where growth happens.
If every room you’re in feels comfortable, you’re probably not stretching enough.
Not Every Room Is the Right Room
Discernment matters.
The best environments include:
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Leaders who have actually built successful businesses
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People willing to share real strategies and lessons
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Collaborative energy rather than competition
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Participants who take action
The right room should expand your thinking and challenge you to grow.
Why Retreat Leaders Need Proximity
The retreat industry can feel isolating.
As a retreat leader you are often:
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holding space for others
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leading the experience
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making all the decisions
Being around other retreat leaders helps you:
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share strategies
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troubleshoot challenges
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stay current with industry trends
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learn what’s working right now
You don’t have to build your retreat business alone.
How to Create Intentional Proximity
You don’t need to attend every event.
But you should choose a few strategic rooms each year.
Examples include:
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conferences
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industry forums
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mastermind groups
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retreats
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workshops
Ask yourself:
Where are the people who are doing what I want to be doing?
Then make a plan to enter those spaces.
Even if it feels uncomfortable.
Final Takeaway
Proximity changes what you believe is possible.
When you see someone else building a thriving retreat business, scaling a company, or creating powerful experiences for their audiences, it moves from theoretical to real.
Growth isn’t just about what you know.
It’s about who you’re around.
Choose your rooms carefully.
Because the right room can change everything.
If you’re serious about growing your retreat business, this is exactly why we created the Retreat Industry Forum.
Rooms matter.
Who you surround yourself with matters.
And proximity to the right leaders can accelerate your business like nothing else.
Learn more at:
retreatindustryforum.com
The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:
Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let’s create a vibrant retreat community together!
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TIMESTAMPS
The Power of Proximity in Business (00:01:04) Explains why being in the right room and around the right people is crucial for business success.
Personal Experience with Masterminds (00:02:10) Shannon shares how joining masterminds and groups transformed her business trajectory.
How Proximity Changes Your Thinking (00:03:11) Discusses how exposure to growth-minded groups shifts your mindset and expands your thinking.
Raising Your Standards Through Community (00:04:31) Describes how being around high-achievers elevates your personal and professional standards.
Hidden Opportunities in the Right Spaces (00:06:52) Explains how in-person networking leads to collaborations, partnerships, and unexpected business opportunities.
The Importance of In-Person Presence (00:09:07) Stresses that real relationships and business growth happen through showing up in person, not just online.
Retreat Industry Forum Announcement (00:10:43) Brief promo for the upcoming Retreat Industry Forum event in Denver, highlighting its unique value.
Why People Avoid Proximity (00:11:41) Explores common fears and excuses that keep entrepreneurs from joining high-level groups and events.
The Value of Paying to Be in the Room (00:14:05) Argues that investing money and time in quality events is essential for real business growth.
Choosing the Right Room: Good vs. Bad (00:16:08) Shares tips on discerning which events and communities are truly valuable and aligned with your goals.
Collaboration Over Competition (00:19:27) Highlights the importance of collaborative energy and networking over competition and ego.
Why Retreat Leaders Need Community (00:20:28) Explains why retreat leaders especially need supportive spaces to share strategies and avoid isolation.
Final Thoughts & Call to Action (00:22:13) Shannon summarizes her passion for in-person events and encourages listeners to get in the right rooms.
Podcast Closing (00:23:19) Outro with reminders to subscribe, review, and access free resources.