Libsyn Directory

EP 256 Building Pilates Retreats in Europe: Creativity, Logistics, and Expansion with Bessie Refalo

Release Date: 01/29/2026

EP 269 Why Glamping and Retreats Are the Perfect Pair (And What Retreat Leaders Need to Know) with Sarah Riley

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

The retreat industry is evolving - and one of the biggest opportunities right now sits at the intersection of glamping and retreats. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Sarah Riley, a UK-based glamping industry expert and co-organizer of The Glamping Show America, to explore how glamping and retreats are becoming one of the most powerful combinations in experiential hospitality. Sarah has been working in the glamping and retreat space since 2010, helping entrepreneurs launch lifestyle businesses and navigate the realities of building glamping sites -...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

More Episodes

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Bessie Refalo, a yoga and Pilates retreat leader who is carving out a unique lane in the wellness retreat industry - reformer Pilates retreats in Europe.

Bessie shares the behind-the-scenes reality of creating retreats that require specialized equipment, including the challenges of finding venues with reformer Pilates machines and the creative solutions she’s used to make her retreats possible. From transporting reformers by lorry in Portugal to discovering bespoke studios in Italy, this conversation is a masterclass in persistence, adaptability, and thinking beyond traditional retreat models.

Shannon and Bessie also discuss the rapid growth of the wellness retreat industry, the realities of hosting retreats in Europe, and why networking, flexibility, and on-the-ground familiarity are essential for successful international retreats.

This episode is a must-listen for retreat leaders who want to expand internationally, host niche retreats, or navigate complex logistics without giving up on their vision.

Key Takeaways

Niche retreats (like reformer Pilates) require creativity, persistence, and flexibility.
Hosting retreats with specialized equipment presents challenges - but solutions exist.
Europe offers strong appeal for US-based retreat guests due to accessibility and travel interest.
Building relationships with local studios and partners is key to international retreat success.
Logistics, cultural differences, and local business hours matter more than most hosts expect.
Networking and in-person learning accelerate retreat growth and confidence.
Fully booked retreats are built through clarity, demand, and aligned offerings - not shortcuts.

About Bessie Refalo

Bessie Refalo is a yoga and Pilates instructor and retreat leader specializing in wellness retreats that combine movement, travel, and intentional experiences. Known for her innovative approach to reformer Pilates retreats, Bessie creates immersive international retreats that prioritize high-quality instruction, thoughtful locations, and meaningful connection.

Connect with Bessie here: www.bessierefalo.com

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TIMESTAMPS

Bessy’s Background and Journey (00:01:36) Bessy shares her background, the Bessy Raffaello Method, and her entry into retreats.

Launching Retreats with Limited Resources (00:02:21) Discussion on starting retreats without a clear blueprint or abundant resources.

Personal Motivation and Reformer Retreat Challenges (00:03:04) Bessy describes her inspiration and the unique challenges of hosting reformer Pilates retreats.

Finding Venues and Logistics of Reformers (00:04:03) Exploring the difficulty of finding venues with reformer machines and the logistics involved.

Pilates Reformer Popularity and Industry Growth (00:06:15) Conversation about the booming Pilates and wellness industry and its opportunities.

Venue Search and Forming Partnerships (00:07:36) Bessy details her search for venues, challenges with unresponsive owners, and finding her business partner in Portugal.

First Retreat Execution and Overcoming Obstacles (00:09:12) How Bessy and her partner transported reformers and handled unexpected issues during their first retreat.

Expanding to Italy and Other Locations (00:10:00) Bessy discusses finding a unique venue in Italy and her desire to expand to more locations.

Retreat Industry Forum Announcement (00:11:36) Shannon announces the upcoming Retreat Industry Forum event in Denver.

Venue Owner Mindset and Cultural Differences (00:13:27) Discussion about the challenges of working with European venues and cultural differences in business practices.

Importance of Site Visits and Local Culture (00:15:19) Advice on visiting retreat locations and understanding local customs and schedules.

Budgeting and Financial Realities (00:17:14) Bessy shares lessons on budgeting, accounting for lost income, and the importance of honest financial planning.

Retreat Agenda Planning and Avoiding Over-Scheduling (00:19:21) Tips on not overpacking retreat agendas and allowing space for rest and integration.

Group Energy and Audience Fit (00:21:32) The importance of group dynamics, attracting the right participants, and managing energy drains.

Attracting and Repelling the Right Clients (00:23:27) Shannon and Bessy discuss the value of attracting ideal clients and repelling those who aren’t a good fit.

Investing in Training and Community (00:24:21) Bessy reflects on the value of attending workshops, investing in herself, and connecting with like-minded leaders.

Upcoming Retreats and Availability (00:28:20) Bessy shares details about her upcoming Portugal and Italy retreats, including availability and unique features.

Closing and Contact Information (00:31:16) Shannon and Bessy wrap up, discuss future collaborations, and share how listeners can connect.

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