EP 225 Boundaries, Burnout & Breakthroughs: Retreat Wisdom with Lesley Martin
Release Date: 06/05/2025
EP 233 Lead Retreats Without Losing Yourself: The Joy Factor with Kelley Hartman
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail sits down with Kelley Hartman to explore the transformative power of joy in retreat leadership. Kelley shares how a life-changing diversity retreat in her twenties sparked her passion for holding space and eventually led her to create her own retreats focused on joy, self-care, and aligned leadership. Together, Shannon and Kelley dive deep into why joy is not just a nice-to-have, but a non-negotiable for any retreat leader who wants to avoid burnout and truly support others. They get candid about...
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EP 232 Lessons from a First-Time Retreat Host: What I’d Do Differently with Misty Chambers
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this candid episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Pilates studio owner and retreat host Misty Chambers to unpack the highs and lows of her first-ever retreat. From a surprise challenge with a sick guest to navigating meal budgets in the Champagne region of France, Misty shares everything she wishes she had known—and what she’ll absolutely do differently next time. They talk about the importance of having personal space as a retreat leader, hiring a retreat coordinator, setting realistic expectations around meals, and most importantly: why retreat leaders...
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EP 231 Algorithm-Proof Your Retreat Brand: Social Media That Sticks with Robin Nathaniel
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by social media strategist and author Robin Nathaniel (@robbinmarx) to dig into what it really takes to build a retreat brand that thrives online—without having to chase every trend. Robin brings two decades of experience in social media and shares how to focus on authentic, audience-focused content that stands out in an AI-driven world. From aligning your content with your brand's voice to Robin's powerful SYNC framework (Simple, Yield, Natural, Change), this episode is packed with gems for retreat leaders who want to...
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EP 230 It’s Not the Economy—It’s You: Owning Your Retreat’s Value & Selling with Confidence
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this fiery solo episode, Shannon Jamail gets real about a truth many retreat leaders need to hear: the biggest block in your retreat business isn’t the economy—it’s you. If you’ve ever said, “People just aren’t spending right now,” or felt tempted to lower your prices just to fill spots—this one’s for you. Shannon breaks down the mindset shift that will transform the way you sell your retreats and communicate their true value. She’ll show you how to stop apologizing for your prices, own your worth, and confidently sell your retreat as the life-changing investment it is....
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EP 229 How to Level Up as a Retreat Leader (and Build Profitable Retreats Like a Boss)
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this solo episode, host Shannon Jamail gets fired up and shares exactly what it means to level up as a retreat leader—and why it goes way beyond fancy goodie bags or extra plush pillows in your yurt. Fresh off a transformative retreat teaching experience in France and actively learning from high-level masterminds like Genius Network, Shannon lays out how growth happens through mentorship, aligned community, and being in the right rooms. She also gets real about the flood of new "retreat coaches" in the industry—and why it’s more important than ever to vet your mentors and follow...
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EP 228 Dealing with Objections as a Retreat Leader: Compassion Over Discounts
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this powerful solo episode, Shannon Jamail gets real about something every retreat leader will face: objections. Especially the most common one—“It’s too expensive.” But before you spiral into discounting or self-doubt, Shannon shares a refreshing and aligned way to navigate objections with confidence, compassion, and curiosity. This episode is your permission slip to stop taking objections personally and start using them as powerful conversations rooted in leadership. What You’ll Learn: Why “it’s too expensive” usually isn’t about money The #1 thing NOT to do when...
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EP 227 Sell It Like a Retreat Leader: Why Sales Should Be Your Superpower with Dora Rankin
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this bold and enlightening episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Dora Rankin, a business growth coach and sales strategist who isn’t afraid to tell retreat leaders the hard truth: you’re likely spending way too much time on marketing and not enough on sales. Dora breaks down the key differences between sales and marketing (hint: they are NOT the same thing!) and explains why retreat leaders should be spending at least 70% of their business-building time focused on actual sales activities. From connecting directly with potential guests to having powerful...
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EP 226 Delegate & Elevate: Why Every Retreat Host Needs a Coordinator with Daesha Donze
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this powerhouse episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail sits down with luxury retreat designer and director Daesha Donze to talk all things logistics, style, and sanity-saving support for retreat hosts. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to juggle planning, hosting, and actually enjoying your own retreat—this episode is your permission slip to hand over the clipboard and reclaim your energy. Episode Highlights: Why hiring a retreat planner or coordinator is a total game-changer (Spoiler: so you can finally enjoy your own retreat) How Daesha tailors each...
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EP 225 Boundaries, Burnout & Breakthroughs: Retreat Wisdom with Lesley Martin
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail welcomes trauma therapist and retreat coach Lesley Martin for a raw and insightful conversation about the emotional resilience and energetic boundaries required to lead transformational retreats. Lesley and Shannon dive deep into the often overlooked emotional toll retreat leaders face, especially when carrying their own unhealed trauma or managing the weight of participants’ needs. They discuss how coaching and self-reflection can help retreat leaders grow beyond the therapy room, create healthier emotional...
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EP 224 The Power of Story: How to Sell Out Retreats with Authentic Marketing featuring Renee Frojo
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail sits down with journalist-turned-content-marketer and storytelling coach, Renee Frojo, to explore how powerful storytelling can transform your retreat business from “meh” to sold out. Renee shares her journey from the newsroom to coaching B2B and B2C entrepreneurs on connecting with their audience in the most human way possible—through story. After selling out her very first international retreat in Costa Rica using just stories and intention (not a massive follower count), she’s now hosting her second...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of the Retreat Leaders Podcast, host Shannon Jamail welcomes trauma therapist and retreat coach Lesley Martin for a raw and insightful conversation about the emotional resilience and energetic boundaries required to lead transformational retreats.
Lesley and Shannon dive deep into the often overlooked emotional toll retreat leaders face, especially when carrying their own unhealed trauma or managing the weight of participants’ needs. They discuss how coaching and self-reflection can help retreat leaders grow beyond the therapy room, create healthier emotional boundaries, and avoid the path to burnout.
You’ll also get an inside look at Lesley’s upcoming Morocco retreat for burned-out entrepreneurs, designed to help participants reset through cultural immersion, desert meditation, and intentional stillness in the Sahara.
Episode Highlights:
- Why retreat leaders must address their own trauma to serve powerfully
- Energetic boundaries and grounding practices to prevent burnout
- Behind the scenes of Lesley’s Morocco retreat: A transformational journey for service-based pros
- Coaching vs. therapy: When it’s time to level up your personal growth
- Tools like Lesley’s new digital workbook to reimagine what’s possible
- Special offers for podcast listeners including a $200 discount on Lesley’s upcoming retreat
Whether you're navigating your own healing or simply want to hold space more effectively, this episode is filled with heartfelt wisdom, practical tools, and real talk about what it takes to lead (and live) with intention.
About Leslie
Lesley is the coach, guide, and mentor for entrepreneurs and professionals who’ve been through trauma or adversity and now want to feel better and live more authentic and fulfilling lives. She helps empower people to change their lives for the better. Lesley brings over 20 years of knowledge and training as a holistic psychotherapist into her work to benefit her clients. Her approach is holistic, and she incorporates psychological, meditative, intuitive, and spiritual practices to help her clients heal, deepen their connection, and thrive.
She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Contemplative World Religions from Naropa University in Boulder, CO, and her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Medaille College. In 2021, Lesley completed a certification program in Life Coaching through The Life Coach School. Lesley is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State and is the founder of WNY Holistic Counseling, A Whole-Person Approach to Therapy. She is also the founder of Blue Lotus Soul Coaching, where she utilizes Life Coaching to help her clients live unencumbered, whole-hearted lives. She offers Akashic Records Readings, Trauma Clearing Sessions, Oracle Card Spreads, Psychotherapy Sessions, 1:1 Coaching Packages and unique Retreat Experiences.
Connect with Leslie
https://lesleymartincoaching.com/
Free Gifts:
$200 discount off the Sahara Soul Awakening Retreat if the participant mentions this episode: https://sahara-soul-awakening.myflodesk.com/
Possibility Pie workbook: https://sahara-soul-awakening.myflodesk.com/possibilitypie
The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:
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- Get your legal docs for retreats
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