loader from loading.io

EP 235 Who Do You Need to Become? When Your Retreat Planning Isn’t Working

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Release Date: 08/14/2025

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

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

info_outline
EP 247 Redefining Tantra and Running a Profitable Retreat Business with Justin Gottlieb show art 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...

info_outline
EP 246 A Guest Experience and Real Talk on Women’s Wellness & Retreat Leadership with Remi Gibbs show art 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)...

info_outline
EP 245 Lead the Retreat, Don’t Burn Out: Energy + Values for Sustainable Leadership with Lucy Dutton show art EP 245 Lead the Retreat, Don’t Burn Out: Energy + Values for Sustainable Leadership with Lucy Dutton

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this uplifting and practical episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by UK-based performance coach and former professional dancer Lucy Dutton to talk about something not enough retreat leaders are addressing: how to lead retreats without sacrificing your own well-being. Lucy shares her powerful journey from the high-stakes world of professional dance to wellness and peak performance coaching—and how her deep understanding of energy, values, and leadership now helps retreat leaders avoid burnout. Together, they explore: ✅ Why energy management matters more than...

info_outline
EP 244 Building Profitable Retreats Through Relationships with Lesley Jordan show art EP 244 Building Profitable Retreats Through Relationships with Lesley Jordan

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this heart-filled and high-impact episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with luxury couples retreat host Lesley Jordan to explore the real keys to retreat success-and spoiler alert: it’s not just about the perfect venue or a pretty website. From her beginnings as a travel agent to launching powerful, profitable retreats for couples of all backgrounds, Lesley shares how mentorship, strategic pricing, and relationship-first marketing changed the game for her. Together, Shannon and Lesley dig into: How to actually pick the right business coach (hint: ask about...

info_outline
Special Release: Launching The Retreat Industry Forum: Be the First to Access VIP Tickets! show art Special Release: Launching The Retreat Industry Forum: Be the First to Access VIP Tickets!

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Shannon Jamail, Erin Haag, and Alison Katschkowsky come together on this special episode to officially announce the Retreat Industry Forum happening May 14–17, 2026 in Colorado. In this conversation, they share the vision behind the event, why this gathering is unlike anything else in the retreat industry, and what attendees can expect-from powerful keynotes and interactive workshops to a VIP experience designed for deeper strategy and connection. The big news? The interest list opens TODAY (October 15th) for 10 days only! Those on the list will have first dibs at VIP tickets before...

info_outline
EP 243 Profitable Without Pressure: Why You Don’t Need to Do It All to Run a Successful Retreat with Anna VanAgtmael show art EP 243 Profitable Without Pressure: Why You Don’t Need to Do It All to Run a Successful Retreat with Anna VanAgtmael

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

You do not have to run yourself ragged to host powerful, profitable retreats, and this episode is proof. In this honest and hilarious conversation, Shannon Jamail sits down with Anna VanAgtmael, founder of Wandering Roots and host of 22 retreats since 2018, to explore how retreat leaders can ditch the pressure, drop the people-pleasing, and build a business that’s both meaningful and sustainable. They dive into: The biggest mistakes new retreat leaders make (and how to avoid them) Pricing with confidence and energetic alignment Why less on the itinerary often leads to more transformation...

info_outline
EP 242 Ready, Set, Retreat: 12 Questions Every Retreat Leader Needs Answered show art EP 242 Ready, Set, Retreat: 12 Questions Every Retreat Leader Needs Answered

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this solo Q&A episode, Shannon Jamail tackles the 12 most frequently asked questions from aspiring and experienced retreat leaders alike. From knowing when you’re truly ready to host a retreat, to choosing the right venue, pricing for profit, and marketing without sounding salesy, Shannon covers it all with no-fluff, straight-shooting advice. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your strategy, these questions are the ones that come up in her DMs, workshops, and mastermind calls every single week. With years of experience as a retreat host and venue owner,...

info_outline
EP 241 Planning Purpose-Driven Retreats with Amity Cooper of 1890 & Wayfinding Ranch show art EP 241 Planning Purpose-Driven Retreats with Amity Cooper of 1890 & Wayfinding Ranch

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Amity Cooper, a licensed mental health professional turned ranch retreat host in Colorado. Together, they dive into the world of nature-based retreats, horse-led healing, and the business foundation every retreat leader needs to succeed. Amity shares her transition from private practice to owning and operating two stunning ranches—1890 Ranch and Wayfinding Ranch—spanning 80 acres. With a clear North Star guiding her work, Amity emphasizes that profitable, sustainable retreats start with purpose. They unpack what...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Hey retreat boss—it’s time for a heart-to-heart.
In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail gets real about a truth that most retreat leaders avoid:

👉 If your retreat planning isn’t working, it’s not just your strategy—it’s your identity.

Whether you’re dreaming of your first retreat or you’ve been in the game for years, this episode is your wake-up call to stop hustling like someone who hopes to succeed—and start embodying the retreat leader who already is.

✨ Shannon breaks down how to align your actions, energy, and environment with the version of you who fills retreats with ease, earns consistently, and leads with confidence.

You’ll walk away with questions to ask yourself, identity upgrades to make today, and a clear reminder:
💥 You don’t get what you want—you get who you are.

🎧 Tune in now for the kick-in-the-leggings clarity every retreat leader needs.

Link to full blog here: https://theretreatleadersplaybook.com/be-her-now-the-mindset-shift-that-builds-profitable-retreats/

 

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!

 

Subscribe:

 Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify

 

---------------------------

Transcribed With Podsqueeze

Shannon 00:00:00  Welcome to the Retreat Leaders podcast, your sanctuary with retreat experts. Where we spill the tea on retreat success. Here we dive into crafting transformational guest experiences. Talk about how to avoid pitfalls and unlock marketing secrets. Whether you're a seasoned guru or a budding enthusiast, we've got the inside scoop for you. Join us as we learn how to flourish in this magical world of retreats. Hey guys, welcome to or welcome back to the Retreat Leaders Podcast at Shannon. Today I want to talk about something that has been coming up in a lot of conversations lately. And it's all about who do you need to become when your retreat planning isn't working? Because here's the thing you all have the vision. You have the passion. Maybe you've hosted a retreat or two, or you're dreaming of it. You're following strategies. Maybe you've even bought some programs and posted pretty graphics and the results are meh, right? You're not filling spots like you thought. You're not hitting those income goals. You do have income goals, right? Don't make me come after you.

Shannon 00:01:04  You better have income goals. But you're burning time and energy and maybe money, and you're just not seeing the return. And here's the truth. I want to share with you with lots of love and zero bullshit. If what you're doing right now isn't working, it's not about doing more. It's about becoming more. Your retreat planning isn't what's broken, but your identity might be, I know. Oh, that sounds a little bit harsh, but stick with me here, because this isn't about blame. It's about radical responsibility. Let's say your goal is to earn $250,000 a year hosting retreats. Amazing. Totally doable. I'm actually going to pause there right now, because if I said that number and you were like, oh no, that's not that's not even possible, then honest to goodness, you're listening to the wrong podcast or you're just not ready. You're thinking way too small. And this isn't this isn't the space for you. Not yet. When you realize that 250,000 is totally doable and so is 500,000.

Shannon 00:02:07  So is $1 million when you realize that you're in the right space. But whatever that number is, whatever that number is. I want you to get honest. When you think of the number, whatever your number is. I want you to get honest. I want you to ask yourself, are you making decisions like someone earning that amount a year? The big amount. The goal amount. Not that small shit. The big number. Are you making decisions like someone earning that number? Are you showing up with the confidence, the clarity and the consistency of someone who believes in that number? Are your daily habits, your energy, your schedule? Your identity aligned with that version of yourself? Who gets that number? Because here's the thing you don't get what you want. You get who you are. I want to say that again. You don't get what you want. You get who you are, who you're matched for. You get what you're matched for. That's why we've ever thought about things. And you're like, why didn't I get this then? But then you realized you went through all this other stuff, and you got that thing later and you were ready for it then.

Shannon 00:03:21  You were you were equipped for it. Then you were thinking in that mindset. You were acting in that like you were ready for it then. We need to be ready for it now. We need to step into the version of ourselves who does hit that goal, that big goal. And let's break this down. So we'll break it down a little bit. If you're stuck in hustle mode, maybe even frozen mode, but let's say you're stuck in hustle mode and you're spinning your wheels trying to plan the perfect retreat to post the perfect reel, or even copying someone else's strategy. Maybe you're missing the point. You're missing the point if you're doing all these things because it's not just about retreat planning and marketing strategies. Although yes, you do need those, but it is about aligning your identity with the results that you say you want. So let's go through this. Let's ask yourself some questions. I really want you to to pause. Maybe after I ask the question, you pause this podcast and answer it.

Shannon 00:04:21  Here's the first question. What does the retreat leader who earns 250,000 a year, $500,000 a year, whatever that number is? What does that retreat leader who earns that money do every day? Answer that question. Maybe she blocks her calendar with non-negotiable CEO time. She prioritizes revenue generating activities like outreach and strategic partnerships over tweaking Canva graphics for hours. Maybe she's very organized. She knows her numbers every day. She knows her numbers. I have a good friend, Erin Haig, who calls it coffee and QuickBooks. Shout out Aaron! I just love that she was doing that while we were in France. Every day it's coffee and QuickBooks. But a retreat leader who earns big money every day. She knows her numbers. Hey, retreat leaders, pause that retreat planning for just a second, because I've got something you do not want to miss. I'm headed to London this October to host a live event that's all about teaching you how to host a retreat that's not just transformational, but actually profitable. Imagine sipping tea or champagne with other like minded leaders while mapping out your next sold out retreat.

Shannon 00:05:37  It's happening at the gorgeous Waldorf Hilton in London. I'm spilling all the secrets from pricing to planning, marketing to mindset, and you'll walk away with a strategy you can actually use. No fluff, no BS, just results. So head to Retreat Mastermind training and come join me across the pond. Here's another question what kind of mindset work does she do? What kind of mindset work does she do? Answer that question every day. Maybe she journals. She visualizes. Maybe she reminds herself every day that her work changes lives. She charges what she's worth and doesn't apologize for it. What kind of mindset work does she do? Another question who does she surround herself with? Who do you surround yourself with? Maybe she's in rooms in person and virtual with others who are playing big, y'all. This is important. This is why I joined the Genius Network. This is why I choose to surround myself with other people who think and play big. Maybe she learns from mentors who's who have actually walked the walk, not just talked the talk.

Shannon 00:06:48  And I've got a little something to say about that here, because in this retreat industry now, we are seeing a lot of mentors and leaders popping up. And for only $7, you can learn how to make $1 million a year or $7,000. It really doesn't even matter. At the bottom, at the end of the day. What really matters is have they walked the walk? Have they walked the walk? That's who you want to listen to. That's who you want to surround yourself with. That's the room that you want to be in. She's also listening to books, podcasts and shows that speak growth, not scarcity. In this section of who she wants to surround herself with this question, I really want you to think hard of who you spend time with. Are they cheering you on and catapulting you to these big dreams? Or are they like, oh really? Are they holding you back? Or are they talking shit about the economy and the who? Whatever. Like, are they bringing you down? And you know how I feel about the economy and the world and how that affects us.

Shannon 00:07:49  It doesn't. Listen to my other podcast on that. But who she surrounds herself with matters. Another question. How does she present herself? How does she present herself? This is kind of twofold to me. One is not in a fake way, right? She shows up on zoom events, even social media. Confident, grounded and magnetic. Right? But also, how do you put yourself together? Does that matter to you? Like, for me, I feel my most abundant, my most passionate, my most. Like I'm getting it when I have put a little something in to the effort of how I feel and look. By my presentation. Exterior presentation just as much as my interior. It does matter to me. It doesn't to everybody, but it matters to me. How you show up energetically and physically determines how you're going to feel. So how does she present herself? She drag in herself in her pajamas and come on over and and going, let me journal this bullshit. That's that's up on both both energetics and physically.

Shannon 00:08:56  Right. How does she present herself? This kind of goes into the very last question I want you to ask yourself, which is how does she take care of her body and her energy. How do you take care of your body and your energy? Nourishing yourself. Moving your body. Getting support when you need it. She doesn't burn herself out trying to prove her worth. Because here's the thing. There is a difference between wishing and becoming. You can wish for success, or you can become the person who creates it. And becoming doesn't mean pretending. It doesn't mean pretending. There's a difference between pretending and acting as if you have something right. But it does mean choosing every single day to act. Think, plan, and move from the version of you who already has the thing you want. So you may think that's pretending, but that's not. And this, this doesn't work the other way around. You don't get the thing and then act as if you are that person. You act as if you are that person.

Shannon 00:09:56  You move. You think, you become that person, and you'll get the thing you want your retreat, planning to actually work? Then work like the leader who already fills her retreats. What does that look like? Sell like the woman who knows her offer. Changes lives. Lead like the business owner who isn't afraid to go all in. And this isn't about meditating more. Although, look, I'm all for journaling, manifesting, meditating, vision, boarding, all those good things. I even have a course on it outlining exactly what I do. And I do think that it makes a powerful difference. But don't get it twisted. Energetics without action is daydreaming. Energetics without action is daydreaming. What bridges the gap between your current reality and your dream retreat? Business is becoming the kind of person who is willing to do the uncomfortable, aligned, focused work to bring it to life. Because here's what I want you to know. To sum this all up, I want you to know this. You don't need to find her.

Shannon 00:10:58  You don't need to earn her. The version of you who fills retreats with ease, earns consistently, and leads with impact. She's already in you. I'm telling you, she is already in you. You just need to start acting like her today. Today? You can do that today. What's. What's one thing you could change today to start acting like that? To start acting like the person who earns that big goal. And if you don't know where to start, y'all know that I have my retreat leader membership. You can join where we talk strategy and mindset, marketing and identity support, stretch goals, all of those things. Or find a mentor or a course or a program or a room that plays big because you were never meant to do this alone, and you're definitely not meant to keep playing small. Let's build your retreat business and the identity to match. I look forward to hearing about it. Thanks for listening to The Retreat Leader's podcast. Learn more at the Retreat Ranch. See you next time.