There are some experiences that land in the body before they land in the mind, the kind that rearrange you quietly, in ways you only understand later. Our time together in the Azores was one of those experiences.

As we’ve settled back into our routines, many of you have shared how the week is still working on you. The insights keep unfolding. The little shifts keep showing up. And honestly… same.

This retreat wasn’t just movement, adventure, yoga classes, good food, or gorgeous landscapes (though we had plenty of all of that). It was a week of practicing presence, of tuning in, listening deeply, releasing expectations, and rediscovering joy in our bodies.

Below are a few of the themes that showed up again and again, both in your journal reflections and in the room.

What the Azores Taught Us

(or Reminded Us)

1. Your body is always communicating with you.

On the mat, in the canyon, during breathwork, on the hikes, you practiced slowing down enough to notice. Not to push. Not to override. Not to compare. Just… notice.

For many of us, that alone was its own reclamation.

2. Joy and play are not extras, they’re medicine.

From that first waterfall plunge to the laughter echoing across the canyon walls, we remembered what happens when adults give themselves permission to play.

We moved for the experience, not the outcome. And that changed everything.

3. Releasing comparison creates room for true presence.

Movement in community can be healing, but it can also stir up old patterns. On this retreat, we collectively chose something different, celebrating each other, practicing alongside each other, and letting go of the pressure to perform.

The room felt different because you were different.

4. You are allowed to take up space and rest.

Whether it was in savasana under the soft evening lights, floating in the hot springs, or catching your breath halfway up a climb, you practiced honoring your capacity in real time.

This is the heart of sustainable wellbeing.

5. Nature recalibrates us.

The island itself was a teacher, misty crater lakes, emerald forests, volcanic waterfalls, sunrise practice with ocean air, and the grounding quiet of wide-open space. No screens.

No noise. No rush. Just breath and the earth beneath us.

What’s Next: The Adventure Continues

We just sent out your post-retreat follow-up email and survey, thank you to everyone who already responded. Your feedback is gold, and it deeply shapes what we create next.

Julz and I meet with SolSeed next week to begin planning our next adventure, and we’ll be sending out a poll soon so you can help us choose the destination.

Keep your eyes peeled, we can’t wait to hear where your heart is pulling you.

💛 A Final Note

Whether you shared the week with us in person or followed along from afar, thank you for being here. This community grows because of your willingness to lean in, with curiosity, honesty, and heart.

Retreats themselves don’t transform people.

You do that.

The retreat is simply the container that helps you remember your own capacity.

I can’t wait for whatever we create next.

NBC-HWC | ACSM-CPT

🏔️ PEAKS: The Science Behind Presence, Play & Somatic Awareness

Why did this week feel so transformative?
Because the experiences we leaned into are backed by solid research on nervous system regulation, somatic awareness, and behavior change.

Here are your PEAKS from this retreat:

Perception & Interoception

Interoception (your ability to sense internal cues like hunger, tension, breath, emotion) is tied to better emotional regulation, lower anxiety, and more intuitive health behaviors.

Our slow flows, breathwork, tuning-in cues, and journaling sessions all strengthened this connection.

Embodied Joy

Playful movement isn’t childish, it’s neurologically restorative.

Research shows that unstructured joyful movement improves motivation, adherence, and long-term consistency far more than rigid “discipline.”

Autonomy in Practice

When you choose what your body needs (instead of forcing what you think you “should” do), your brain shifts into a more receptive state for learning and change.

Resting, modifying, opting out, or going full send were all autonomy-based wins.

Kindness Toward Self

Self-compassion during movement reduces cortisol and increases persistence. The lack of comparison and the culture of encouragement we built?

That was physiology at work.

Somatic Regulation

The island offered us embodied regulation opportunities at every turn:
– hot springs
– ocean air
– grounding surfaces
– rhythmic hiking
– breath-led practices
– supported rest

These experiences directly calm sympathetic activation and support recovery.

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