Is 2025 the year you ditch the hustle? Why a retreat could be the perfect way to finally succeed with a whole lot less stress.

In over 25 years of supporting entrepreneurs, businesses and their leaders to grow and transform, I’ve come to believe with every cell of my being that:

 

Big Ambitions = Big Transformation. True?

 

And I don’t mean the type of growth and transformation you get from attending a course or learning new strategies and tactics. I mean the type that asks you to go deep within and get to know yourself intimately. 

 

The type of growth that supports you to unravel all of the old stories you tell yourself that keep you playing small in subtle and sophisticated ways. 

 

The inner work that requires you to grab your scuba gear because we are going to go DEEP. 

 

Yes, it can feel pretty terrifying to lift the rocks that have been carefully placed around your heart for protection to see what is living underneath in the darkness, but oh my, is it a liberating and empowering experience. 

 

Because as you clear away the debris of the past that has aimed to protect you, but ultimately kept you constrained, and therefore your light contained, you create a magical space for the new. 

 

New levels of inspiration, ideas, confidence and clarity. The type that changes the world. 

 

And one of the most fun, expansive and effective ways to do that is a retreat.  

 

Imagine being able to create transformation that could easily take 3 years… in 3 days! 

 

Does that sound like the type of ROI that would make you lean in and want to learn more? 

 

In this blog, I’m breaking down exactly why a retreat just might be the most powerful strategic move you can make in your life AND your business. And sharing tips on how to get the most out of this type of experience and investment in yourself and your business.

 

First up, let me ask you a question:

 

When did you last hit the pause button and take intentional time out of your day to day life to rest, reset and refocus?

 

I get it, I’ve been there. I’m a multiple burnout survivor.

 

You care so deeply about making a difference, doing your best and creating success in your life and business that it feels relentless.

 

The pressure. The striving. The endless list of projects and priorities.

 

The illusion that you need to do it all. Carry it ALL.

 

Each step forward feels like trying to run with concrete boots on as you shoulder the never ending burden of it all.

 

And yet you know, that what got you here will not get you where you want to be.

 

In those moments of space and clarity, another way calls to you.

 

It whispers in your ear ‘It doesn’t need to be so hard’.

 

The question is, are you ready to listen?

 

Don't you know deep down that the hustle has a shelf life? 

 

YOU Are the Most Important Asset in Your Business

 

Repeat after me: “I am the foundation of my business’s success.”

 

No matter how talented your team is, how innovative your product, or how solid your systems, your business cannot thrive if you’re parched and brittle and running on empty.

 

If your physical and mental health are deteriorating, or if you’re feeling disconnected and uninspired, it inevitably filters down into everything you touch - your team, your clients.

 

Your long-term vision.

 

The solution so often comes in the form of some dedicated time to focus on YOU. 

 

To reinvigorate your energy. 

 

To reignite your vision and sense of excitement and possibility for the future. 

 

A well designed, strategic retreat that gives you space to get reinspired and provides the ultimate opportunity to shift the focus back to YOU.

 

It offers a rare chance to step away from your responsibilities and ask the questions you may have been avoiding:

 

• What is holding you back from reaching your next level?
• What exciting ideas are you neglecting by being caught up in the day to day grind?
• What are some of the right risks to take to create bigger, better results?
• Who do you need in your team to help you succeed with more ease in a sustainable way?

 

Imagine the ROI from spending dedicated time not just recharging but actively investing in your most important asset: YOU. 

 

You’ll skip home with a spring in your step full of energy and vitality and a bucketload of inspiration and renewed sense of purpose, ready to tackle any challenges with an ease that just wasn’t there before. And let’s not forget the amazing connections and new business besties who you can call on and lean on. Who really ‘get it’. 

 

As an investment, It's a brilliant strategic move to ensure you’re able to lead, innovate and inspire effectively.

 

When you’re at your best, your business thrives. 

 

When was the last time you really gave yourself the space, time & support to really 'go there' & connect with everything possible for your life & legacy?

 

"I would 100% recommend attending the retreat for the amazing feeling of connectivity, support and regeneration that I felt.  

What I loved most about the retreat was the ability to share, learn and grow in a safe environment with like-minded women, that I know will hold me in times of hardship as well as celebration, as I can now call them friends.

I would recommend it to any women who seek support from a like-minded community and wish to clarify/reinforce/reaffirm or discover their true calling and strategies to get there!"

Isabelle Millette, Attendee Compassionate Activist Retreat October '22

 

Connect With Your Most Potent and Profitable Ideas

 

When was the last time you truly had space to think? Not just snatches of inspiration in the shower or on the school run or daily commute, but uninterrupted, focused time to dive deep into your ideas?

 

It’s inevitable that the day-to-day grind leaves very little room for strategic thinking. You’re so busy managing the present that you rarely have time to dream about the future.

 

That’s where the right retreat is a gamechanger. The act of stepping into a new environment, somewhere away from your desk, your emails, and your never-ending to-do list creates a mental shift.

Suddenly, your brain has the freedom and opportunity to wander, explore, and unlock ideas that might have been buried beneath the noise.

 *This was a retreat in Maine that I led - what a view right?!

 

In fact, research shows that changing your environment can significantly boost creative thinking. A retreat combines this with the soul-nourishing benefits of relaxation, connection, and introspection. It’s the perfect formula for uncovering the ideas that will take your business to the next level. 

 

Massive growth spurts are to be expected! After months of feeling stuck in her business, one of my clients during a creative session using nature as her muse had a breakthrough idea for a new service offering. Within six months, that idea had doubled her revenue and she had fallen back in love with her business again. 

Wouldn’t you love to surprise yourself with how big you can dream when given the space to think?

 

Make Decisions Quickly and Confidently

 

From the moment you wake up, till you go to sleep, you’re making hundreds of micro-decisions. What to have for breakfast, what to pack in the kid’s lunchbox, what route to take to school or the office, how to respond to an email… Yes, that’s why they call it the mental load! 

 

By the time you get to the big stuff, your brain has used up all its energy!

 

It’s why you often feel stuck and unsure of the next step to take in your business.

 

It’s why the big questions are often left unanswered.

 

Things like:

 

• Should you hire that new team member? 
• Should you pivot to a new business model? 
• Can you really afford to stop working with that difficult client?

 

Enter stage left… Dreaded Decision Fatigue.

 

As Barack Obama once told Vanity Fair:

 

“You’ll see I only wear grey or blue suits. I’m trying to pare down decisions. I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.”

 

Those in leadership know that they need to reduce the noise and the decisions they make every day to make room mentally for the decisions that have the greatest impact.

 

And while you can take similar steps - having meals on rotation, having a work ‘uniform’ like Obama - one of the ways you can truly take time to reduce the decisions you need to make is to come on a retreat.

 

By removing you from your regular routine, it takes countless micro-decisions off your plate. 

 

Beautiful and nutritious meals are made for you, where you need to be is planned and set for you.

 

All you have to do is show up!

 

This frees up your mental bandwidth to focus entirely on the big-picture questions that matter most.

 

With your decision-making energy fully intact, you’ll be amazed at how quickly and confidently you can tackle the decisions you’ve been avoiding. 

 

Whether it’s finalising your growth strategy, planning your next hire, or deciding to pivot in a new direction, the clarity you gain on a retreat is unmatched.

 

Find the Community You’ve Been Craving

 

As a business owner, it’s easy to feel isolated. Even if you have a team around you, you’re still at the top of the chain, solving the problems, making tough decisions and carrying the weight of your business on your shoulders.

 

Retreats offer something that’s often missing in our busy lives: connection.

 

When you gather with like-minded individuals who share your dreams and challenges, something magical happens. 

 

You gain new perspectives, share insights, and build relationships that can last a lifetime.

 

I’ve personally experienced and also witnessed this on every retreat I’ve been on or hosted. I’ve met life-long friends and collaborators and I’ve watched other attendees connect with each other in a way that may not have been possible if it wasn’t for them coming together in a unique way.

 

But retreats are more than just being beneficial to your business success and future partnerships.

 

They can also be fun!

 

You get to explore new places, try new activities, and enjoy the luxury of having someone else take care of all the details. It’s a chance to laugh, relax, and rediscover the joy that brought you to your business in the first place.

 

"This retreat is truly for anyone who feels called to something bigger than themselves and has no clue where to take the first step"

What I loved most about the retreat was connecting with others and realizing you’re not alone.

"The impact is hard to put into words but the connections and relationships built on that retreat will never be forgotten and that time where you can truly commit to yourself and your mission is invaluable" 

 The Compassionate Activist Retreat Attendee, October '22

 

Leave Feeling Lighter, Stronger, Supported and Equipped

 

One of the most valuable outcomes of a retreat is the tangible progress you make in such a short time. 

 

The aim is not to overwhelm you with hundreds of strategies and concepts and ideas. It’s an opportunity to really hone in on your own wisdom and reasons for doing what you do.

 

A great retreat should allow you to explore different ways to do this. From chats with fellow attendees whilst you walk through beautiful countryside or take a dip in a jacuzzi, to personalised coaching sessions where your coach or retreat host can help you tap into your inner-self.

 

But there should also be time to reflect on your own, giving you a chance to absorb all the inspiration you’ve taken from your host, other attendees and your surroundings so you can start to form a plan for life after the retreat comes to a close.

 

So that after spending three days with the freedom to strategise and think big, you’ll leave:

 

• Rested, refreshed, and reinvigorated
• Full of inspired ideas to bring your vision to life
• Crystal clear on how to connect with your inner wisdom
• With a locked-in vision you’re destined to create, supported by a blueprint to bring it to life

 

 

  

"I absolutely would recommend this event. Feeling part of a very honest community where Mel encouraged us to use the space to connect with what really matters. I felt completely safe and cared for"

'Spring Clean Your Strategy & Soul' Attendee, April '22

 

So, is a retreat within YOUR future? If so, I have a very exciting invitation for you to join me and 7 other powerful and inspiring leaders on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond this spring for a life changing retreat experience. 

 

Ditch the hustle for a transformative journey of magic, strategy & luxury to become limitless: 

The Feminine Edge Inner Circle Retreat 

 

Over 3 days, activate powerful clarity, and the type of inspiration that gives you goosebumps and through deep inner work coupled with proven strategy shift your vision from a distant dream into an inevitable outcome.

 

A process that in 'real-time' could easily take 3 years of trial and error, 'efforting' and ‘working it out’.

 

But when you are:

 

• Utterly connected to your soul's mission and unique reason for being here at a cellular level 
• Held in a space of safety and love to help you connect within more deeply than ever before to access previously untapped wisdom and potential 
• Supported by a powerful guide and a wonderful community of people just like you who are also here to contribute to the shift in consciousness happening right now across the planet

 

All taking place in a magical, luxurious space where nature and her limitless wisdom is there to guide you.

 

Where every need is taken care of.

 

All you need to do is ARRIVE.

 

RELAX.

 

And let the magic unfold.

 

Curious to know more? 

Click here to get all the info you need to join us in March at a luxury property in beautiful Loch Lomond for a spine-tingling 3 days of potent transformation as we unlock your deepest desires.

 

And if you have any questions or would like to chat about whether it's the perfect solution for you to make 2025 the year you finally ditch the hustle I will always make time for a coffee over zoom 

 

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Mel MacIntyre is a 3 x international bestselling author, keynote speaker, in-demand performance coach & business strategist, and the founder of The Feminine Edge Business Academy.

With 25+ years of experience as a leader, coach, and business consultant in a wide range of global businesses, Mel is on a mission to help women earn more money and claim their space without shame or self-doubt.

Her research-based signature framework The Feminine Edge is designed to help women create more wealth, balance, impact, and success without risking burnout or selling out. Because she deeply believes, we CAN have it all.

We just need to know how.

Mel is also an Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise in Scotland using her voice to represent and promote women and their businesses and has been featured in the Guardian, Yahoo Life, and BBC along with many more publications.